Hillary Excelling as Obama's Second Banana

Observers hoping for signs of the old campaign animosity between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama have been sorely disappointed. Clinton has been faithfully—and efficiently—executing Obama’s strategy, including the parts she criticized him for on the trail, writes the Economist. For example: Asked about her past objections to engaging with hostile leaders, Clinton sharply replied, “President Obama won the election.”

Clinton has excelled in the role, from management to the execution of policy. She’s won internal Washington battles, notably on sending troops to Afghanistan, and she's blessed with a State Department eager to work for a less hostile administration. "The only disappointment, from her point of view, is that she did not bring the same skills to fighting Mr Obama, a year ago, that she is now bringing to serving him," the magazine says. "If she had, Mr Obama might have been the one learning how to play second fiddle." (More Hillary Clinton stories.)