Passing the Torch

I'm pretty impressed with Bill Clinton's trip to North Korea where he successfully negotiated the release of the two women, returning them to their anxious families.

I was struck by the thought that Clinton perfect for the role as an elder statesman of diplomacy and that this trip was a kind of a passing of the torch from Jimmy Carter to Clinton. Carter, who has distinguished himself in this role since the end of his presidency, is 85 now, and no doubt slowing down. I can think of few people who are more qualified than Bill Clinton to accept that torch and to carry on the work that Carter has done.