Diplomats for Hire

Governor Bill Richardson hosted a sit-down with North Korean diplomats to search out areas of agreement between the two estranged nations.

Senator Jim Webb darted off to Myanmar and secured the release of an American hostage.

Former President Bill Clinton bagged two Americans being held hostage in North Korea after a stealthy trip to schmooze the Dear Leader.

Which leaves one to ponder, "Just who is the Secretary of State?" Of course, it is none other than Hillary Clinton. But why are all these low-level proxies being dispatched by the Obama Administration in lieu of the Madam Secretary? Well, the success rate of the Diplomats for Hire outshines the paltry record of the peripatetic Mrs. Clinton, who embarrasses herself with repeated self-inflicted wounds, taking the form of outrageous, bizarre statements on the world stage. One is tempted to feel sorry for the Secretary of State for being so obviously iced out of major diplomatic ventures.

At some level, a diplomat ought to be at least a minimally pleasant person. And that quality is the gaping hole in Mrs. Clinton's resume.