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News & ArtsWednesday, January 14, 2009
Politics Hillary Clinton Blows Joe Klein's Mind By, Like, Knowing About What's Happening Around the World
Posted by Christopher Frizzelle on Wed, Jan 14, 2009 at 9:36 AM
I'm only now watching Hillary Clinton's confirmation hearings yesterday—for fun, I'm watching them on Fox News's website (here), and I have the volume all the way up, since no one else is at work yet. Her voice is echoing through the office. It's strange how, under the blizzard of Blagojevich, the Bill Richardson blip, the freaking out over Rick Warren, the new questions about Timothy F. Geithner's late taxes, and the extraordinarily long Democratic primary season, no one's really talking about Hillary Clinton much (we've talked about her to death). It has to be said that, as usual, she's not much to listen to, her statement to the Senate heavy with bureaucratic cliches ("picking the right tool or combination of tools for each situation," "the State Department will be firing on all cylinders"), but damn if she doesn't have the grave poise and deep learning you want a Secretary of State to have. Not to mention those eyes. You don't want to fuck with those eyes. (Contrast her presence with the puppety figure John Kerry, who is sitting there listening to her speech and for a while there was favored for the job.)
Joe Klein has blogged his impressions, and said it better than anyone:
I spent the day at the Clinton confirmation hearings and came away impressed, as always, with the woman's sheer ability to process information. Not a missed beat, not an "I'll have to get back to you on that..." It was several hours into the hearing that the full force of the new Administration hit me. Clinton was being asked by Senator Benjamin Cardin whether we could exert our influence on mineral-rich countries to share their wealth with their people. The Secretary of State-designate immediately brought up Botswana's "excellent work" in this area, the education and infrastructure programs that had been funded. And I thought: Botswana? Wow. We've got people who are really interested in governing—who really love public service, who understand that foreign policy means more than simply issuing threats—coming back to your nation's capital! Enthusiasm and care don't always result in wise policy-making, but we've seen how fecklessness and carelessness works.
(Via.)
1
I SO would have loved to see a Hillary Clinton vs. Sarah Palin vice pres debate. Hell, I'd even have paid to watch Clinton tear her to pieces... not having to worry about being a "male bully"
Man... what a missed opportunity!
Man... what a missed opportunity!
2
been so long...nice to to have some wonks back in there. long as she's not pulling dirty tricks to get elected, she's ok by me.
3
Not that she won't be great, and not that it isn't impressive that she came up with the Botswana example right off the bat, but it's pretty amazing how low our expectations have become after the last 8 years.
4
No one is questioning that Hillary, Joe Biden and Barack Obama are great history professors.
What we have yet to learn if they have executive leadership.
Bush had it.
What we have yet to learn if they have executive leadership.
Bush had it.
5
Yeah, Hillary's "coming back to your nation's capital!" Because she left somehow for a moment? Because she showed no "fecklessness and carelessness" during her campaign, and does "more than simply issuing threats" at critical junctures? Credulity is always wonderful in children and pets. In journos it's a bit too much of the kiss-a-the-ass-a.
6
I'm a bit bothered by Clinton's constant use--and definition--of the term "smart power." Why do we need a special phrase to refer to using our power in non-idiotic ways? When did things get that bad that "smart" power is not the norm for us?
"As Secretary of State, I'm going to use this thing called my 'brain.' I like to refer to it as 'thinking' before doing something. It may take a while to get used to, but I think you all will appreciate the results."
Also, "Akademics," are you high?
"As Secretary of State, I'm going to use this thing called my 'brain.' I like to refer to it as 'thinking' before doing something. It may take a while to get used to, but I think you all will appreciate the results."
Also, "Akademics," are you high?
8
I may have to watch the segment where she gets grilled by Vitter the Shitter about ethics. That should be comedy gold.
9
Well, when she ends up having to resign under a cloud, don't say I didn't warn you.
BTW, can anyone explain what she means when she says she won't know who donated to the Clinton Trust until the end of the year because Bill isn't going to tell her. And we trust him.
BTW, can anyone explain what she means when she says she won't know who donated to the Clinton Trust until the end of the year because Bill isn't going to tell her. And we trust him.
10
Chelsea really had a nice dress on.
What? Like they're not going to confirm her?
Come on, when was the last time a sitting Senator ever got denied a confirmation?
What? Like they're not going to confirm her?
Come on, when was the last time a sitting Senator ever got denied a confirmation?
11
Agree with Spencer @3. It seems like we used to EXPECT cabinet nominees to be well-prepared and intelligent. Now I admit I'm ready to weep tears of gratitude when it looks like someone in government is not going to be an idiot. (And also that maybe they won't be fired for being smart)
12
@4 "Bush" "Executive Leadership" ???
Oh, I get it this was a joke ...very funny, now run along little child this site is for the adults.
Oh, I get it this was a joke ...very funny, now run along little child this site is for the adults.
13
Remember when some conservative douchebags panned Bill Clinton's memoirs because Clinton went into great wonky detail?
I hate that the thoughtful attention to detail is seemingly so new. Hillary's been 'here' longer than 8 years. It's just that attention is now getting paid in a different way.
I hate that the thoughtful attention to detail is seemingly so new. Hillary's been 'here' longer than 8 years. It's just that attention is now getting paid in a different way.
15
I agree fully with your analysis. The Clintons are not out for money but to serve. Botswana is the most perfect example of what a unitary state can do with its resources. The country gained independence from UK in 1966 and was one of the poorest black countries on earth. Here is what their leaders did: Investing in the future of their people, roads, rail, air, health, free universal education, dignity of her citizens, as a desert non of her citizens died of hunger. It is investing heavily on education the greatest leveller and bringing IT sector to communities. The country is currently electrifying almost all her towns and villages. The literacy rate is more than 80% with 90% of the population having access to clean drinking water. Not only was this a perfect example, it is a country where many lessens can be drawn especially by Obama's administration in its bid to re-orientate the US foreign Policy in Africa. At the heart of this phenomenal achievement are core universal values of democracy and the rule of law. Pula!! (Rain!!! Botswana slogan)
16
after 2 years of abama,bush really did have leadership when compared,this tuesday lets sweep the dems outta here
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