Beyond Image: (Hillary) Clinton’s Town Hall in Jeddah

By Fareeda Ahmed

February 22, 2010

Last week, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton spoke at a forum at the all-women’s college Dar Al Hekma, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, that showed her in the newly flattering light she has enjoyed since becoming an Obama CHANGE-ling.

Clinton fielded questions about her dedication to engaging in meaningful dialogue with other nations that go “beyond [stereotypical] images” (high), her willingness to emigrate to Canada in the event of a Sarah Palin White House (low, same as Palin’s chances), her understanding that foreigners view American women as perpetual bikini-wearers, and American men as WWE wrestlers (medium-rare), and her belief that women and women’s education are at the crux of Saudi’s future (higher than Bush Jr. at Yale).

Answering students’ questions with candor, warmth, and wit, one can see that Clinton seems more relaxed and at home than during the peak of the US Political season (i.e. the Election); and because she is more herself, she is more effective as a diplomat. Though much less prominent, Clinton’s visit to Saudi Arabia has received reviews that echo in tone to Obama’s “speech to the Muslim world.” She strikes the right tone off the bat, breaking the ice (not that there’s ice in Saudi…) with the words of an Egyptian poet.

Source: ABC News