Hillary’s Voice

Extra Bonus Quote of the Day (Political Wire)”I’m sure some people voted for Barack Obama because of me.” — President Bush, in an interview with CNN.Resting a wee bit easier (by J -SOM at Liberal Rapture)

Hillary Clinton will be the next Secretary of State… Other than the Kennedy clan there is no other political family that has been such a powerful force for good. (The Kennedys are behind everything from the Peace Corps to the Special Olympics.) Hillary has spent a large part of her working life on women and children’s issues. And The Clinton Foundation is a remarkable success. Of course, The Clinton “family” as a force is but 2 people. Given that one can presume that Obama will have to spend an enormous amount of time on the failed economy - Hillary Clinton may well carve out an enormous power base in the world and the White House. This would be good news. There are few people in D.C. I trust more than Hillary Clinton to be the face of America around the world.If Obama continues to appoint Clinton Administration veterans I hope he has the good sense to get out of the way and let the grown ups do their work.Clinton vows to make US force for positive change (AFP)Hillary Clinton on Monday vowed to make the United States a new force for positive change, saying that as secretary of state she would work with the world community to solve global crises. “The American people have demanded not just a new direction at home, but a new effort to renew America’s standing in the world as a force for positive change,” Clinton told a Chicago press conference after being nominated to the post of secretary of state by president-elect Barack Obama. Clinton vowed to “reach out to the world again” after eight years of President George W. Bush’s administration and promised to give “this assignment, your administration and my country, my all.”"America is a place founded on the idea that everyone should have the right to live up to his or her God-given potential. It is the same ideal that must guide America’s purpose in the world today,” said Clinton, who leaves a seat as New York senator to serve as secretary of state. Her nomination requires Senate confirmation.World leaders welcome nomination of Hillary Clinton (AFP)US allies gave a warm welcome to Hillary Clinton’s return to the world stage as US secretary of state but her husband,former president Bill Clinton remained tight-lipped about the appointment. In Hong Kong, Philippines President Gloria Arroyo on Tuesday congratulated the couple before she addressed the opening session of a two-day conference hosted by Bill Clinton in Hong Kong… China’s Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi echoed Arroyo’s congratulatory words during a forum about climate change… In Tokyo, Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone said he looked forward to working with Clinton, noting she had stressed the importance of the alliance…British Foreign Secretary David Miliband, praised Clinton, describing her most appealing characteristic as “a determination to defy fatalism.”.. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said the New York senator would ensure close US-Israeli ties… And French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, whose country holds the EU presidency, said Europe was ready to work closely with Clinton as part of a renewed trans-Atlantic partnership.The only dissent came from Russia. But that’s okay, she’ll win them over, too.—CaroWhat should Bill Clinton do now? (by Joe Conason, Salon)Critics worry he’ll get in Hillary’s way. But the new secretary of state’s husband is a great international ambassador for America.Why Obama’s Got “Complete Confidence” In Clinton (by John Nichols, The Nation)Obama is not assembling a team of rivals — at least not with the Clinton pick. He is selecting a fellow senator who he came to respect and even to regard somewhat fondly during the course of a difficult but not particularly destructive primary campaign. More importantly, he is selected someone who agrees with him on almost every significant global issues and who he is certain will be able Secretary of State… This is not fundamental change. But no one who paid serious attention to Obama’s campaigning, even in the early stages of the race, thought he was about fundamental change.So why did The Nation endorse Obama over Clinton in the primary, if they felt that there was no difference between the two?—CaroClick here for more politics and media news headlines.Carolyn KayMakeThemAccountable.com