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Hillary, Cornyn launch Senate India Caucus

Karl Comment:  Hillary has easily recognized that the John Kerry campaign is in the dumps and will set things up for her in 2008.  But, she is also a smart politician who senses the mood of the nation much better than anyone in the "Howard Dean" camp, such as Kerry.

So, Hillary is now looking for ways to publicize her "non-liberal" credentials -- and what could be safer than the one below -- "be friends with India."

Recognize that when she does this she is also staking out a position "in favor of" outsourcing -- since much outsourcing goes to India.

She is also aligning herself against Pakistan -- something she can afford to do because she doesn't (yet) carry the weight of international diplomacy on her shoulders, as does Bush.

There will be many other credentials she will add to her resume, as she softens the shrillness of past performances.  A recent speech to help Kerry was an obligation to the party, not an agreement with his policies.  He is, she is glad to see, doomed to defeat in the election -- even making it obvious that the Democratic Party can no longer afford such liberal foolishness, and must return to the "Clinton Center."  Have you noticed that Bill is supporting Bush on most international issues, not getting the press for it, but he, too, sees the "Hillary For President" future bright, but not through screaming liberal views.

So, well done to Hillary.  Even if not for the best of reasons, the behavior described here is to be acknowledged and applauded.

Let there be more such.

And, who will oppose Hillary in 2008.  My bet is Condoleezza Rice -- what a race!

 

Source

HindustanTimes.com Home

Hillary, Cornyn launch Senate India Caucus
S. Rajagopalan
Washington, April 30
In what is being billed as a big push to Indo-US relations, the Senate India Caucus was formally launched on Thursday. The first-ever grouping of its kind in the US Senate, the idea has caught on double-quick with as many as 32 Senators signing up.

Democratic Senator Hillary Clinton and Republican Senator John Cornyn, the first co-chairs of what promises to be a powerful club, announced formation of the bipartisan caucus at a function on Capitol Hill. Several other prominent Senators were present on the occasion.

"The bipartisan coalition will expand areas of agreement between the US and India," said Cornyn, the moving spirit behind the caucus. At the same time, candid discussions will be held over areas of disagreement.

The caucus's primary goals, he said, would be to cooperate in the war on terrorism, advance peace and stability, deepen defence relations between the two countries and create opportunities for trade and investment in order to give a big boost to economic ties.

"Important differences do remain concerning India's nuclear weapons programme, the pace of India's economic reforms and trade," he said adding the caucus will provide a forum for Senators and Indian leaders.

On outsourcing, projected as a key area of concern in the US, Cornyn said it was an area in need of understanding. But he quickly added: "We (US and India) have nothing to fear from each other." Improved standard of living in India, he felt, should be good news for exports of American products.

Senator Clinton, professing to represent 250,000 Indian Americans, said she looked forward to playing a key role in stimulating stronger economic relations between the two countries. She recalled her successful interactions with a delegation of Indian CEOs in upstate New York some time ago.

Clinton, replying to a question over differences between the two countries on the nuclear issue, said she visualised a new century of cooperation that will address issues like halting proliferation and preventing rogue states like North Korea from holding out threats.

The caucus, otherwise long in the making, was a farewell gift of sorts for Ambassador Lalit Mansingh, who demits office on Friday on completion of his three-year tenure. It also turned out to be "birthday gift" for the Ambassador, who had been pushing for its creation over the past couple of years.

The caucus boasts of a number of political heavyweights from both parties: Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, Minority Leader Thomas Daschle, former Vice-Presidential candidate Joseph Lieberman, Republicans Chuck Grassley, Orrin Hatch, Arlen Specter, Trent Lott and Kay Bailey Hutchinson, and Democrats Charles Schumer, Carl Levin, Richard Durbin, John Corzine and Barbara Boxer.

 

         
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