WHAT A THOUGHT FOR A SUNDAY MORNING – AT 10:25 A.M. ET:  There's an old saying that if you talk about a bad dream, it won't come true.  So let's talk about this, as much as we can:

A flattering New York Times profile has increased speculation that Samantha Power, the Dublin-born aide to President Obama, could be his next Secretary of State or National Security Adviser.

She has been the main architect, along with Hillary Clinton, of the Libya policy and has an increasing influence in the White House inner circle.

No Irish-born person in recent history has had such influence on a president. Power, now 40, moved to the US from Ireland at age 10.

With Hillary Clinton due to step down after Obama’s first term, she would be a live candidate to succeed her if Obama wins re-election.

And the kiss of death:

She is clearly the foremost voice for human rights within the White House,” Kenneth Roth, executive director of Human Rights Watch, told the New York Times “and she has Obama’s ear.”

COMMENT:  I must take my pills.  Samantha Power was ordered to stay out of the 2008 Obama campaign after she called Hillary Clinton a monster.  We're told that they've kissed and made up.  But that comment should indicate the level of her diplomatic skills.

As far as her influence on Libyan policy is concerned, that policy is totally confused and contradictory. 

Power is an amateur who won a Pulitzer Prize for a book on genocide.  That's pretty much it. 

Obama won't select a new secretary of state until after the election, assuming he's reelected.  That frees him of political pressure.  First, let's hope he's not reelected.  Second, if he is, let's hope he's developed at least some common sense.

April 3, 2011