Salon.com > Hillary Rodham Clinton

Hillary Clinton is still the clear favorite in a potential Dem primary

Thu, 02 May 2013 15:52:00 +0000

A new poll from Quinnipiac University finds that Hillary Clinton is still the clear favorite to win in a potential 2016 Democratic primary field. If she doesn't run, Biden is the frontrunner by a significant margin.

From the poll:

Ms. Clinton would get 65 percent of Democratic votes compared to 13 percent for Vice President Joe Biden, 4 percent for New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, and 1 percent or less for Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley and Virginia Sen. Mark Warner, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University poll finds. If Clinton is not in the race, Biden would get 45 percent, with 15 percent for Gov. Cuomo, 6 percent for, Gov. Patrick, 3 percent O'Malley and 2 percent for Warner.

David Plouffe: I wouldn’t run Hillary’s campaign

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 15:08:00 +0000

In an interview with Jeff Greenfield at the 92 Street Y on Sunday, President Obama's former top campaign adviser David Plouffe said that he wouldn't run Hillary Clinton's campaign if she decides to run in 2016, "because I'm done with that."

"She'd obviously be an extraordinarily strong candidate if she decided to run," he said. "We've got others obviously who will look at, it certainly if she doesn't. But it's too soon to know."

Watch:

Obama dines with Hillary, Bill Clinton

Fri, 08 Mar 2013 19:57:00 +0000

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House says President Barack Obama held a private dinner recently with former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton.

White House spokesman Josh Earnest says the trio enjoyed the conversation but isn't releasing details.

Hillary Rodham Clinton stepped down in February as Obama's chief diplomat after serving in that role throughout his first term.

On Wednesday, Obama shared another notable meal with a dozen Republican senators near the White House. He had lunch Thursday with Paul Ryan, the Republican chairman of the House Budget Committee, and Chris Van Hollen, the committee's top Democrat.

Those meals are part of a broader attempt by Obama to improve relations with congressional Republicans in hopes of jumpstarting budget talks and rallying support for other proposals.

Report: Freedomworks made fake Hillary Clinton-panda sex video

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 16:35:00 +0000

The Tea Party group Freedomworks reportedly used two female interns to make a video of a fake panda performing oral sex on a fake Hillary Clinton, initially planning to show it at a social conservative conference.

David Corn at Mother Jones reports:

In one segment of the film, according to a former official who saw it, [Adam Brandon, executive vice president of the group] is seen waking from a nap at his desk. In what appears to be a dream or a nightmare, he wanders down a hallway and spots a giant panda on its knees with its head in the lap of a seated Hillary Clinton and apparently performing oral sex on the then-secretary of state. Two female interns at FreedomWorks were recruited to play the panda and Clinton. One intern wore a Hillary Clinton mask. The other wore a giant panda suit that FreedomWorks had used at protests to denounce progressives as panderers. (See here, here, and here.) Placing the panda in the video, a former FreedomWorks staffer says, was "an inside joke."

Another FreedomWorks staffer who worked there at the time confirms that "Yes, this video was created."

Senate confirms Kerry nomination for State Department

Tue, 29 Jan 2013 22:18:00 +0000

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate has confirmed Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry as the next secretary of state.

The vote was 94-3. Once sworn-in, Kerry will replace Hillary Rodham Clinton, who is stepping down after four years.

The vote came just hours after the Foreign Relations Committee approved his nomination by voice vote. Kerry has led the committee for the past four years.

The 69-year-old Kerry is a decorated Vietnam veteran and the 2004 Democratic presidential candidate.

Senate panel approves Kerry nomination

Tue, 29 Jan 2013 17:28:00 +0000

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Tuesday swiftly and unanimously approved President Barack Obama's choice of Sen. John Kerry to succeed Hillary Rodham Clinton as secretary of state.

By voice vote, the panel approved the nomination of the five-term Massachusetts Democrat, who has been a member of the committee for 28 years and led it for the past four. The full Senate likely will vote on Tuesday afternoon.

Kerry did not attend the session in the ornate diplomatic room in the Capitol. In his absence, Democrats and Republicans praised Kerry and remarked on his extensive grasp of the issues during his confirmation hearing last Thursday.

"Long-winded," joked Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., a Kerry friend who had introduced the senator at that hearing.

Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., who succeeds Kerry as committee chairman, said the senator would be a "formidable secretary of state."

Obama chose Kerry, 69, the son of a diplomat, decorated Vietnam veteran and 2004 Democratic presidential candidate, to succeed Clinton, who is stepping down after four years. The senator had pined for the top diplomatic job that went to Clinton after Obama's 2008 election.

Senate panel to vote on Kerry nomination Tuesday

Tue, 29 Jan 2013 13:30:00 +0000

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate Foreign Relations Committee is scheduled to vote Tuesday on President Barack Obama's nomination of Sen. John Kerry to be the next secretary of state.

If approved, the nomination would move to the full Senate, which is expected to act swiftly on the choice.

Obama chose the five-term Massachusetts senator and 2004 Democratic presidential candidate to succeed Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, who is stepping down after four years.

Kerry has served on the Foreign Relations panel for 28 years and led the committee for the last four. He is the son of a diplomat and a decorated Vietnam veteran.

Obama is overhauling his national security team. The president has nominated Chuck Hagel for defense secretary and John Brennan to serve as CIA director.

Must-see morning clip

Mon, 28 Jan 2013 14:04:00 +0000

The President said thank you to the outgoing Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, in a joint interview with "60 Minutes." Said Obama: "Well, the main thing is I just wanted to have a chance to publicly say thank you, because I think Hillary will go down as one of the finest secretary of states we've had. It has been a great collaboration over the last four years. I'm going to miss her. Wish she was sticking around. But she has logged in so many miles, I can't begrudge her wanting to take it easy for a little bit. But I want the country to appreciate just what an extraordinary role she's played during the course of my administration and a lot of the successes we've had internationally have been because of her hard work."

Kerry to field questions from panel he chairs

Thu, 24 Jan 2013 13:48:00 +0000

WASHINGTON (AP) — Democratic Sen. John Kerry, on a smooth path to confirmation as secretary of state, is likely to face friendly questioning when he testifies before the committee that he's served on for 28 years and led for the past four.

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman will sit at the witness table Thursday when he appears before the panel, a month after President Barack Obama said he wanted him to succeed Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. Clinton is stepping down.

The five-term Massachusetts senator is widely expected to win overwhelming bipartisan support from his colleagues, and that notion was reinforced by the list of people who will introduce him: Clinton, Massachusetts freshman Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Republican Sen. John McCain.

McCain and Kerry are friends who have worked closely on national security issues. They're also decorated Vietnam War veterans and former presidential candidates who know the sharp sting of defeat.

At the conclusion of a Capitol Hill news conference Tuesday, McCain joked about Kerry's hearing and the tough tactics that won't be employed.

"We will look forward to interrogating him at his hearing — mercilessly," McCain said to laughter. "We will bring back, for the only time, waterboarding to get the truth."

House Republican grills Clinton: You let the consulate “become a death trap”

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 22:18:00 +0000

The House Foreign Affairs Committee had its turn to grill Secretary of State Hillary Clinton over the attacks on the U. S. consulate in Benghazi, and Republicans continued to focus on the initial statements by State Department officials that attributed the attacks to protests over an anti-Muslim film. One Republican, Rep. Jeff Duncan, accused Clinton of "gross negligence" and of allowing the consulate to "become a death trap."

Duncan, R-S.C., referenced Clinton's testimony before the Senate earlier in the day, in which she blew up at Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wisc., for accusing the State Department of misleading the American people when it blamed the attack on the protests.

"With all due respect, the fact is we had four dead Americans,” Clinton fired back at Johnson. “Was it because of a protest, or was it because of guys out for a walk one night who decided they’d go kill some Americans? What difference, at this point, does it make? It is our job to figure out what happened and do everything we can to prevent it from ever happening again, Senator."

Hillary Clinton blows up at Republican senator in Benghazi hearing

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 16:26:00 +0000

In the most explosive exchange from the Benghazi hearings, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton blew up at Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., for focusing on why the State Department initially said the attack on the U.S. consulate was the result of protests. "What difference at this point does it make? It is our job to make sure that it doesn't happen again," Clinton said.

Clinton was testifying before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on the attacks on a U.S. consulate in Libya on Sept. 11, which killed four Americans, including Ambassador Christopher Stevens. Johnson had wondered why there was misinformation about the attacks being the result of protests, when "a very simple call to those [Benghazi consulate] evacuees would have easily ascertained immediately that there was no protest." He then accused Clinton of making excuses for why the call was not made: "We were misled that there was supposedly protests and that something sprang out of that, and assault sprang out of that."

Clinton to face Congress on Libya assault

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 13:36:00 +0000

WASHINGTON (AP) — Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton faces tough questions in her long-awaited congressional testimony concerning the assault on the U.S. diplomatic mission in Benghazi, Libya, that killed Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans.

Clinton is the sole witness Wednesday at back-to-back hearings before the Senate and House foreign policy panels on the September raid, an independent panel's review that harshly criticized the State Department and the steps the Obama administration is taking to beef up security at U.S. facilities worldwide.

Clinton had been scheduled to testify before Congress last month, but an illness, a concussion and a blood clot near her brain forced her to postpone her appearance.

Her marathon day on Capitol Hill will probably be her last in Congress before she steps down as secretary of state. President Barack Obama has nominated Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., to succeed her, and his swift Senate confirmation is widely expected. Kerry's confirmation hearing is scheduled for Thursday.

Clinton to testify on Libya assault Jan. 22

Tue, 08 Jan 2013 19:40:00 +0000

WASHINGTON (AP) — The top Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee says Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will testify on the deadly Sept. 11 assault in Libya on Jan. 22.

That's the day after President Barack Obama's inauguration and the first day the Senate returns to Washington after a two-week break. Sen. Bob Corker of Tennessee disclosed the date in an interview on MSNBC. There was no official word from the committee.

Clinton had been scheduled to testify last month but fell during an illness and suffered a concussion. She was recently hospitalized for a blood clot.

Clinton returned to work on Monday. She had promised to appear before the Senate and House foreign affairs panels before stepping down from her job. Obama has nominated Sen. John Kerry to replace her.

Hillary Clinton back at work after hospitalization

Mon, 07 Jan 2013 18:43:00 +0000

WASHINGTON (AP) — Cheers, a standing ovation and a gag gift of protective headgear greeted Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton as she returned to work on Monday after a month-long absence caused first by a stomach virus, then a fall and a concussion and finally a brief hospitalization for a blot clot near her brain.

A crowd of State Department officials greeted Clinton with a standing ovation as she walked in to the first senior staff meeting she has convened since early December, according to those present. Deputy Secretary of State Thomas Nides, noting that life in Washington is often a "contact sport, sometimes even in your own home" then presented Clinton with a gift — a regulation white Riddell football helmet emblazoned with the State Department seal, several officials said.

She was also given a blue football jersey with "Clinton" and the number 112 — the record-breaking number of countries she has visited since becoming secretary of state — printed on the back. Aides said Clinton was delighted with the gifts but did not try either of them on and the meeting turned to matters of national security and diplomacy.

Hillary Clinton to return to work next week

Thu, 03 Jan 2013 19:44:00 +0000

WASHINGTON (AP) — The State Department says Secretary of State Hillary Clinton plans to return to work next week after being treated for a blood clot in her head.

Spokeswoman Victoria Nuland says Clinton is resting at home but is speaking with senior staff and is, quote, "sounding terrific, upbeat and raring to go."

She says Clinton looks forward to returning to her Washington office next week, although a date hasn't been set. Doctors have advised her to avoid international travel for now.

Clinton was discharged Wednesday from a New York hospital, three days after doctors diagnosed a blood clot during a follow-up exam stemming from a concussion she suffered in December. Doctors are treating the clot with blood thinners and say they expect she will fully recover.

Clinton leaves hospital after treatment for clot

Wed, 02 Jan 2013 21:34:00 +0000

WASHINGTON (AP) — Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton was released from a New York hospital on Wednesday, three days after doctors discovered a blood clot in her head.

Clinton's medical team advised her Wednesday evening that she was making good progress on all fronts and said they are confident she will fully recover, said Clinton spokesman Philippe Reines. Doctors had been treating Clinton with blood thinners to dissolve a clot in a vein that runs through the space between the brain and the skull behind the right ear.

"She's eager to get back to the office," Reines said in a statement, adding that the secretary and her family are grateful for the excellent care she received at New York-Presbyterian Hospital.

Reines said details of when Clinton will return to work will be clarified in the coming days.

Clinton had been in the hospital since Sunday, when doctors discovered the clot on an MRI test during a follow-up exam stemming from a concussion she suffered earlier in December. While at home battling a stomach virus, Clinton had fainted, fallen and struck her head, a spokesman said.

"Grateful my Mom discharged from the hospital and is heading home," the secretary's daughter, Chelsea, wrote on Twitter. "Even more grateful her medical team (is) confident she'll make a full recovery."

Earlier Wednesday, the State Department said Clinton had been speaking by telephone with staff in Washington and reviewing paperwork while in the hospital.

"She's been quite active on the phone with all of us," said State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland.

Before being released from the hospital, Clinton was photographed Wednesday getting into a black van with her husband, Bill, Chelsea and a security contingent to be taken elsewhere on the sprawling hospital campus. The last time Clinton had been seen publicly was on Dec. 7.

Clinton's physicians had said Monday that there was no neurological damage but that they planned to keep her in the hospital while they established the proper dose for the blood thinners. They said Clinton, 65, had been in good spirits and was engaging with doctors, family and aides.

Sidelined by her illness for most of December, Clinton was absent on Dec. 21 when President Barack Obama nominated Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., to succeed her when she steps down at the start of Obama's second term, as had long been planned. The illness also forced to cancel scheduled testimony before Congress about a scathing report into the attack on the U.S. diplomatic mission in Benghazi, Libya, that killed four Americans, although she could still testify in the future.

"She has said that she is open" to going before Congress, Nuland said Wednesday, while Clinton was still hospitalized. "We are working with them now on their schedule, because there's also a question of when they are going to be in."

Clinton had expected to return to work this week and had already started to resume regular phone contact with her foreign counterparts. On Saturday, the day before the clot was discovered, Clinton had a half-hour conversation with Lakhdar Brahimi, the U.N. envoy to Syria, in which the two discussed the state of affairs in that country, her spokeswoman said.

Also on Saturday, Clinton spoke by telephone with Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Hamad bin Jassim Al Thani, discussing recent developments in Syria, Afghanistan and the Palestinian territories.

The illness has also raised questions about Clinton's political future and how her health might influence her decision about whether to run for president in 2016, as prominent Democrats have been urging her to consider.

Clinton suffered from a blood clot in 1998, midway through her husband's second term as president, although that clot was located in her knee.

___

Associated Press writer Matthew Lee contributed to this report.

Editor's Note: Salon's earlier version of this post incorrectly attributed an ABC News report to the Associated Press.

Has Syria crossed the chemical weapon “red line”?

Thu, 06 Dec 2012 19:55:00 +0000

U.S. officials reported that Syria's government is preparing nerve gas bombs and would use chemical weapons against its own people. According to an NBC report, "The [Syrian] military has loaded the precursor chemicals for sarin, a deadly nerve gas, into aerial bombs that could be dropped onto the Syrian people from dozens of fighter-bombers, the officials said."

Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta followed up the reports Thursday, noting "we are very concerned that as the opposition advances particularly on Damascus that the regime might very well consider the use of chemical weapons."

Chemical weapons have for the U.S. been an expressed "red line" in regards to Syria. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton stated previously that should Assad deploy chemical weapons against his people, "suffice to say we are certainly planning to take action.”

Poll: Hillary Clinton has high support for 2016

Wed, 05 Dec 2012 15:39:00 +0000

Hillary Clinton would be a strong contender in the 2016 presidential race should she decide to run, according to an ABC News/Washington Post poll.

The poll finds that 57 percent say they'd support Clinton if she decides to run in four years, with only 37 percent saying they'd oppose her.

Clinton, who also has a 68 percent approval rating, enjoys higher support among women, with 66 percent supporting a 2016 bid, compared with 49 percent of men who said they'd support it.

Obama readies Cabinet shakeup

Mon, 03 Dec 2012 18:31:00 +0000

President Barack Obama is poised to announce a series of Cabinet and other appointments that will amount to a major makeover for his second term.

Obama meets China, Japan leaders amid sea tensions

Tue, 20 Nov 2012 13:45:00 +0000

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — President Barack Obama closed his Asian tour in diplomatic talks with leaders of Japan and China, their economic message overshadowed by security tensions over disputed waters and territories. The crisis between Israel and Hamas militants intervened, too, as Obama rushed his top diplomat straight from Cambodia to the Mideast.

Obama was wrapping up four days in Southeast Asia on Tuesday and starting the long journey home, where fiscal deadlines and decisions await.

On the margins of the East Asia Summit here, Obama met with two Asian leaders, outgoing Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, who is likely to be replaced. The president is devoting attention to the region to broaden U.S. influence in a part of the world long dominated by China.

But talk of trade was overshadowed by discussions over how to prevent violence over South China Sea territories. Southeast Asian leaders meeting here in the Cambodian capital decided to ask China to start formal talks "as soon as possible" on crafting a binding agreement on how to resolve such disputes.