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The Debut
December 01, 2008 11:16 AM
ABC News' Rick Klein Reports: The moment that we couldn't possibly have imagined way back when (when being 3 am, naturally) has happened, with Secretary-of-State-to-be Hillary Rodham Clinton just over President-elect Barack Obama's left shoulder, while Vice-president-elect Joe Biden was off to his right.
Obama called on "all elements of American power" to come together -- and what better symbol for that than putting this particular former rival in this post?
For everyone who remembers the snows of Iowa, the tears of New Hampshire, the Maureen Dowd columns, the Punjab memo, the sniper fire, the fights over superdelegates and convention roll calls and, yes, the 3 am ad -- an astounding moment.
This statement went out before the press conference ended, from former President Bill Clinton:
"As an American, I am thankful that President-elect Barack Obama has asked Hillary to be Secretary of State and that she has accepted. As her husband, I am deeply proud.
"She is the right person for the job of helping to restore America's image abroad, end the war in Iraq, advance peace and increase our security, by building a future for our children with more partners and fewer adversaries, one of shared responsibilities and opportunities.
"She has already earned the respect of foreign leaders and diplomats through her work to promote human rights and the empowerment of women through access to education, healthcare and economic opportunity. And Americans know, from her leadership in the Senate on national security, that she will always put the security, values and the interests of our people first.
"In her service to the people of New York and our nation, Hillary has demonstrated the knowledge, passion, resilience, and capacity to learn that our country needs at this critical time. She loves being a Senator from New York, but as she has in all the thirty-seven years I've known her, she answered the call to serve. I commend President-Elect Obama for asking her to be a part of a great national security team. America will be well-served."
December 1, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (14)
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Why don't we hear about every thought George HW Bush has? Shockingly, the husband of the SOS nominee thinks she's a great choice... This is news? Heck, does this even qualify as interesting gossip?
Posted by: jhw539 | Dec 1, 2008 11:33:29 AM
Well, it will be the idiots like Maureen Dowd and the rest of the foolish media that will continue to make strife where Senator Clinton soon to be Madam Secretary is concerned, as a Hillary supporter true and true. I have mixed feelings about her nomination, on one hand I am extremely proud of her and I know that she is qualified to do the job, on the other hand I fear for her career being placed in the hands of Obama. I enjoy the fact that this is a kick in the face to the idiots in the media and the left wing nut cases that are blinded by the messiah complex, but I fear that she will be used as a scapegoat. I trust that Hillary knows what she is doing, but I fear that the President elect may not. I am wiling to give him a chance and I will feel more comfortable at night, knowing that she will be the one handling the 3 a.m. crisis if the call were to come. It's mixed feelings all the way around, but it makes me happy to know that today, all of the Right wing kooks, and the left wing moonbats and the nasty media people especially those Female haters that tried to bring Hillary down are just burning up inside. It's a small consolation for what they put her through and I know that she will shine in whatever she does.
Posted by: Kim | Dec 1, 2008 11:34:58 AM
Well, I guess its official :).
Posted by: Jwench | Dec 1, 2008 11:35:38 AM
awesome... like coming out of an eight year tunnel...and there is clouds and storms on the horizin but the sun is peaking and someone is building shelter.
Posted by: dl | Dec 1, 2008 11:38:28 AM
It really annoyed me that those journalists at the press conference were trying to start a controversy with the Obama pick of Clinton. One thing I like about Obama he will call them on it.
Posted by: Jwench | Dec 1, 2008 11:52:16 AM
I support and commend Senator Clinton for accepting the Secretary of State position.
Now, if former President Bill Clinton would take over her seat in the Senate!!
It would be a political slam dunk!!!!
Posted by: sisterdearest09 | Dec 1, 2008 12:00:42 PM
To Kim:
Time to move on if you’re not suffering from ALICS (Acute Loser Inferiority Complex Syndrome). It takes a great mind as Obama to put such a formidable (former?) rival as Hillary (talented though she is) in such a powerful position. Enough said!
Posted by: Interested Observer | Dec 1, 2008 12:04:35 PM
Posted by: sisterdearest09 | Dec 1, 2008 12:00:42 PM
Stranger things have happened. That would be awesome!
Posted by: Jwench | Dec 1, 2008 12:28:03 PM
If Obama and Hillary can put aside their big egos for the country i believe they both love, we can be sure, they will make great team.
Posted by: jj | Dec 1, 2008 12:35:22 PM
Can Bill be NY Senator? if so YES!!!!
Think they both are great for this country.
Posted by: cissy55 | Dec 1, 2008 12:45:01 PM
Interested Observer, maybe you should read what I wrote. I have moved on, you people don't pay attention. I said I am willing to give him a chance, that is called moving on just in case you don't understand what you have read. I do have concerns like many, we would be foolish not to, but I have accepted that he is our president-elec. It's never enough for you people
Posted by: Kim | Dec 1, 2008 12:49:44 PM
I am very happy to see that Obama is moving toward the Center. Not sure how the Left Wing Nuts will handle it, but it is very nice to see.
I have more faith in Hillary getting out the BIG stick when needed then I do in Obama doing it.
Good Choice.
Posted by: ajax | Dec 1, 2008 1:17:53 PM
Why/who cares what come out of the liars mouths...Do not read it and use the mute button when the MSM quote him...He needs her on tour-- for both oublic and private reasons. He owes her!!
She looked really pensive at the announcement---Think it finally dawned on her that she is only 'part' of a TEAM...lead by OBAMA!!!!
Posted by: docb | Dec 1, 2008 3:56:20 PM
Why/who cares what come out of the liars mouths...Do not read it and use the mute button when the MSM quote him...He needs her on tour-- for both oublic and private reasons. He owes her!!
She looked really pensive at the announcement---Think it finally dawned on her that she is only 'part' of a TEAM...lead by OBAMA!!!!
Posted by: docb | Dec 1, 2008 4:05:52 PM
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