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Hillary Speaks to All State Dept. Staff

By SusanUnPC on January 22, 2009 at 7:30 PM in Current Affairs, Obama Administration, Obama's Cabinet, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, State Department

On her first full day “on the job,” Hillary Clinton gathered every employee of the State Department to speak with them:

Hillary Rodham Clinton arrived for her first day of work at the State Department Thursday, assuming the mantle of the nation’s chief diplomat and preparing to name a pair of renowned diplomats to serve as special emissaries to the Middle East and South Asia.

The morning after she was easily confirmed by the Senate, Mrs. Clinton was greeted by a crowd of more than a thousand State Department employees, cheering and whooping like a campaign gathering.

“This is going to be a great adventure,” Mrs. Clinton said to employees in a lively 10-minute address, as people craned to see her from a balcony in the flag-lined lobby of the State Department. [More below]

hillary-state-s

(H/T to G. for sending me the photo from the NYT article, “Secretary of State Clinton Arrives at Foggy Bottom.”)

Below is the CNN video:

First, more from the NYTimes story:

“We want to send a clear and unequivocal message,” Mrs. Clinton said to more cheers. “We are a team.”

After wading through the crowd to shake hands, Mrs. Clinton went upstairs to her seventh-floor office, where she began placing calls to foreign leaders and was scheduled to receive an intelligence briefing. ….

Now, here’s the CNN video:

  • JohnnyB

    Hillary has proven her intellect, her drive and her compassion. Now she can spread her talents throughout the world and hopefully bring peace to the troubled spots and lead us into a brighter future.

    I wish she was the President right now. We are very lucky she accepted the job of Sec. of State.

    Go Hillary ! ! !

    • mary

      GREAT VID!!!!!!!!!!!THANKS!

      That’s what a true Leader looks like!

  • http://deleted Buzz Latte LaRue

    I got the impression that Hillary will really be running the show while Obama will be more like Tony the Tiger or Betty Crocker, an advertising image.

    This country needs Hillary far worse than Obama. He’s just the brand name.

    • wodiej

      LOL…another funny thread would be brand names for Obama

      Limbaugh had someone sing a song called “I am Barack” sung to the Simon and Garfunkel tune “I am a Rock”….it was hilarious

      • Ferd Berfle

        does the second part include “I am an eyesore”?

        • Moline

          Rush or Obama?

          • Ferd Berfle

            ROFL. Well, either, now that you ask.

            I am a rock, I am an eyesore.

    • mary

      Yes, indeed!

    • mary

      Yes, indeed Buzz…

  • Sandi78

    They all sounded so thrilled to have Hillary there! I’m glad she’s somewhere where she will be appreciated, at least by the people who work for her.

    Notice how well she speaks off the cuff. No notes, absolutely no teleprompter, and she can think as she speaks, make a lot of sense and never once say ummmm!

    I’m still afraid that Obama will marginalize her as much as he can, though.

    • Moline

      They all sounded so thrilled to have Hillary there

      My impression, too, it must have been HORRIBLE working under the Bush administration.

      I felt for them, I really did.

    • wodiej

      Yes, she is a great speaker. She’ll do great…

      Congrats Senator Clinton…hope they let her have an impact and influence.

      • elise

        Both Mitchel and Holbrook refered to her as “my boss” which means they will be reporting to her. Joe Biden appears to be out of the loop and Susan Rice is going to be over at the UN. I think Hillary is in complete control at State.

        • Ani

          A good idea under the circumtances.

    • Liberty Belle not for Obama

      Sandi77 – Thank you for commenting on something I notice everytime I see Hillary speak off the cuff, and especially in comparison to Obama trying to speak off the cuff. I saw some of the video on C-Span this evening, and see her new employees love her. Obama may be master of the teleprompter, yet I’ve seen he’s not as “rhetorical” when having to look down at notes (almost like him better when looking down, because he seems more human, less pompus).

      Also, in case you all haven’t seen this new site yet, check out “Madame Secretary”, which unabashedly claims it is “An Obsessive Blog About Hillary”: http://hillary.foreignpolicy.com/
      I like their photos and commentary (e.g., they had her Oscar de la Renta Inaugural gown, and commentary. I agree – Hillary does look better in saturated colors.)

      • Liberty Belle not for Obama

        Sandi78 – Sorry I mistyped and put 77. That was great year for me, so might have been a slip.

        Anyway, enjoy the site!

        • Sandi78

          No problem about the year! Thanks for the site.

          I’m sorry to say that her ball gown looked pretty awful. She does look much better, stunning even, in saturated colors.

          Did you scroll down to the picture in the National Cathedral at the Prayer Service? Meeechelle doesn’t look very friendly, does she!

      • tek

        Hillary looked way better than MEchelle at the inaugural balls.

      • jbjd

        She looks absolutely fabulous; but I had to stop looking when she began referencing President Obama and Vice President Biden… (Thanks for that link to the picture of the ball gown; I was just looking for this.)

    • mary

      Sandi

      Maybe Odrama will NOT marginilize Hillary….he needs her! And he did say on record that “she’s a Team player…i like that!..”

  • sowsear

    It has been said that the “Special Envoys” will report to BO and not to Hillary. Two were announced today for the Mideast, with more to be named.

    • Ferd Berfle

      Christ, this sounds like an Interstate road crew: Four or five people standing around with their hands in their pockets while one (Hillary) does the work.

      • wodiej

        omg…I never thought about that but that is usually what is going on w a road crew! Alot of other places, too. A few people do the work while the rest screw around.

        • Ferd Berfle

          For sure–I see it all the time. Government bumblecrats who couldn’t make it in the work-a-day world standing around those who can and making stupid recommendations.

          Why don’t you use that other shovel? (Because that isn’t a shovel, drip, it’s a pick).

          • lilytoo

            LOL! And I see that all the time in the business world….I think it’s a human condition. I’m just thankful ONE person will be working. I cannot imagine what it would be like if Hillary wasn’t there. It’s an even more scary thought than the current reality.

      • Moline

        George Mitchell, and Richard Holbrooke:

        Former Senate majority leader George J. Mitchell (D-Maine) was named Middle East envoy to seek Arab-Israeli peace, and former U.N. ambassador Richard Holbrooke was appointed envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan to deal with the resurgence there of al-Qaeda and the radical Taliban movement.

        • felizarte

          In the end, they will go to whomever understands what they are saying and willing to think through solutions with them. Knowledge will be the final authority, notwithstanding the titles.

    • elise

      sowsear, as I wrote above, Mitchel and Holbrook refered to Hillary as their boss which would seem to mean they will report to her. She looked completely in charge today.

      • Ani

        The other thing I so appreciate about Hillary, as I noticed again in the state briefing today with Pres. Obam, VP Biden, Holbooke and Mitchell, was that when she spoke she was so gracious to all the parties present — she also kindly acknowledged the wives and families of the new special envoys and the sacrifices they were making in letting their hubbies come back to gov’t service.

        She doesn’t miss a beat. She presents a unified front and knows what is needed in the moment. Talk about lending gravitas to the office!

      • Ani

        The other thing I so appreciate about Hillary, as I noticed again in the state briefing today with Pres. Obam, VP Biden, Holbrooke and Mitchell, was that when she spoke she was so gracious to all the parties present — she also kindly acknowledged the wives and families of the new special envoys and the sacrifices they were making in letting their hubbies come back to gov’t service.

        She doesn’t miss a beat. She presents a unified front and knows what is needed in the moment. Talk about lending gravitas to the office!

        • http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/video/2009/01/21/VI2009012101557.html?sid=ST2009012101096 trixta

          So true, Ani. The Obama’s need to watch and learn from HRC!

  • sowsear

    Meanwhile:
    The House is up to old tricks, passing bills with embedded provisions we need to be concerned with:
    http://insightanalytical.wordpress.com/2009/01/22/tarp-recovery-plan-term-limitsall-undercover-of-media-hoopla/

  • Mandelay

    Proud of her!

  • Mary Kay

    I actually drew a bit of a tear while watching that. Bittersweet. I am so proud of Hillary and I think she’ll rock!

  • SoSo

    Thank you, Susan. Loved this video. I “hope” our new president is smart enough to let Hillary do her job without his interference.

  • fiscalliberal

    I wonder if Mitchel and Holbrook will deal with regional tactics and Hillary will deal with world policy.

    • Ferd Berfle

      She’ll be doing the heavy lifting and they’ll be blustering away.

      • democrat

        You appear to have no clue about what people in those positions do.

    • stodghie

      at least mitchell and holbrook are experienced and real diplomats who have a track record of success. no boltons thank goodness.

  • Diana L. C.

    I was so happy to see the people so genuinely happy to get her as their “boss.” She should have been the President, but in her usual classy way, she will serve us and we can all be so proud to have her there.

    I wish I could just go shake hands with all those people who greeted her so warmly and tell them I appreciated that cheering for her more than I have appreciated anything recently in the political scene.

    HILL-A-REE!

    • jackie

      Can you imagine being a career diplomat and working under the Bush Administration? They probably had nothing to do for 8 years. Now, they can all put the skills to work and actually make a difference.

      • I’m a Linda too

        Sad but true. Kind a like making cold calls and trying to get someone to believe your sales pitch, huh?

      • Ani

        Abolutely. Can you imagine how frustrating it must be to have all the skill and expertise to bring to table while you get to sit around gathering dust.

        I’m sure Hillary will challenge them as well as sincerely invite them to bring their best to the table.

        • fif

          During the Confirmation Hearing Hillary said that for the past 8 years there were actually more members of the Military Bands than there were foreign service officers!?! Unbelievable.

  • oowawa

    The most striking thing about the top photo of Hill is the obvious Secret Service dudes standing around her. They look like stern clones of each other, and man, do they mean business! Keep her safe, guys!

  • Interested party

    The crowd was very enthusiastic and H. Clinton looked happy to be SOS. She gave a fine, well paced speech.
    I’ve always had a regard for people able to speak in a clear, deliberate manner. Kind of indicates a clearness of thought in my mind.

  • AMERICA R.I.P.

    Sigh. This is the end of an ugly, disgraceful battle that ended up in a fraudulent nomination, a stolen Presidency and millions of broken hearts and spirits. I have such mixed feelings about this. For now, it’s a new beginning for Hillary and God bless her for what’s she’s been through. I am getting past the anger that she turned on us. Maybe I will sleep better at night knowing SHE will probably get the 3 am call. Or be close. Congratulations Madame Secretary. I pray you survive the coming rough ride with all of the strength, courage, and dignity that have so inspired your devoted Americans. It’s not the result everyone wanted, but you are an American Treasure.

    • Seattle Moss

      RIP,
      The left wing retreat and defeat America haters don’t realize yet that the real leader is Hillary. She is the face of America to the world.
      Hillary deserved better, but I’m happy for her being on the world stage. I hope she enjoys all the pageantry that goes with the job..Enjoy my Hillary!!

      • stodghie

        moss also when she speaks at meetings with world leaders, they’ll listen because she will be able to communicate with them and not preach. also they know how much bill has done on the world stage. they’ll show more respect for her than she ever got at home.

        • Seattle Moss

          they’ll show more respect for her than she ever got at home.

          Isn’t that for sure!

          • Ani

            That is true.

            By the way, even Madeleine Albright pointed out that during her tenure as SoS she experienced far more sexism at home than she ever did abroad.

            Why does that not surprise me.

    • tek

      ‘anger that she turned on us?” Get over it!

      • AMERICA R.I.P.

        You might want to read the entire post instead of commenting on one line. “Get over it?” She helped get Obama elected. I can’t really do that overnight, after helping her so much and hearing how much she hates him.

    • Wisewoman

      Am RIP. My exact sentiments. All I can say about her is WOW, WE WERE NOT WRONG CASTING OUR VOTES FOR HER!! She continues to show her talent, steadfastness, brillance, etc. WOW, WOW, WOW!!!!!

  • http://deleted Buzz Latte LaRue

    I just visioned her as President during the broadcast. I still want to believe she has a chance of being president.

    • Liberty Belle not for Obama

      Ditto. I have the same vision. “Chance favors the prepared”, according to Hoyle.

      • Ferd Berfle

        That is an excellent and appropriate quote.

        • Liberty Belle not for Obama

          Thank you, Ferd! It’s been on my mind a while, as I contemplate Hillary’s role, so thought I’d share. Also, decided to look at what it would take to pass the U.S. State Dept. Foreign Service Exam. Looks like a rather long and arduous process, even after you pass the written test, but might have a shot.

          I remember my 9th Grade Civics/Latin America* teacher say if she wasn’t teaching, she’d love to be a Foreign Service Office (*i.e., the Social Studies class for academic kids). We had to write a real term paper at the end of the year, so I picked the Roosevelt Oorollary of the Monroe Doctrine as a topic (“Speak softly, but carry a big stick”). Looking back, I realize we got a pretty good education for a small rural high school..

          If I pass, or land a job there, will be sure to look her up and let her know a student went on…

          • Liberty Belle not for Obama

            - Ooop, should read “Foreign Service Officer”. Must go overseas twice in one’s career, so something to think about…

      • I’m a Linda too

        EXCELLENT!

  • I’m a Linda too

    ohhhhh, Hillary. You should be in that Oval Office. But as you say, “bloom where you’re planted”, you will be learning and doing great things that only propel you to that much more of an experienced leader for our future.

    Goddess-speed! Pants suits on fire!

  • standard

    PLEASE PLEASE lobby for Carolyn Malony for NY Senator.
    With Kennedy out of the picture, she is the progressive pick of NOW.
    She has worked very hard for women’s rights, and incredibly
    likable over the airwaves.
    Here is Governor Paterson’s contact
    http://www.ny.gov/governor/contact/index.html

    • sowsear

      Supposedly it’s Gillibrand not Maloney. Maloney is needed on the House/Senate economic committee, plus she’s from Manhatten where Paterson doesn’t need as much help for election in 2010.Gillibrand is from the Hudson Valley and considered Upstate (not really in my book). Saw it on Greta’s site/

      • fif

        Gillibrand is my District Rep. and is an excellent choice! Word has it Hillary & Schumer both promoted her. She is like a young Hillary: strong, hard-working, intelligent, independent, and principled. I’m really happy about it, and she listens to her constituents–a rare thing these days!

  • tek

    Watched the Hillary video earlier to day. People certainly do love her. I’ll never stop wishing she was the president.

  • fiscalliberal

    From Krugmans column
    ——————————
    January 22, 2009, 7:40 pm
    Invasion of the DC body-snatchers
    So, for the second time since I arrived at Princeton in 2000, my “boss” — people who know academic life will know why I put quotes around that — has been abducted by Washington. First, a terrific economics department head named Ben Bernanke went off to do something or other in the monetary field. Now, Anne-Marie Slaughter, the equally terrific dean of the Woodrow Wilson School, has gone off to become the director of policy planning at the State Department. I assume that means we’ll now actually have planned policy — what an innovation!

    Anyway, congrats to Anne-Marie — and kudos to Secretary Clinton for making such a great hire.
    ———————————————

    This is her Bio

    http://www.princeton.edu/~slaughtr/

    Hillary attracts smart people. I should be interesting to see the bio’s of other people she attracts for policy postions.

  • TeakwoodKite

    Is it just me or did the crowd that greeted SOS Clinton sound like the bonds of 8 years of being under the yoke of oppression had been lifted?

    What a remarkable vibe.

    • Docelder

      People really need to quit fixating on the past. We are going to have to deal with the next eight years. Let us hope on hope itself… because that’s what we apparently voted for… that the next eight years go well as the last.

      • stodghie

        i actually believe obama is a one termer.

        • democrat

          Could be. Right now he has approval ratings of about 75%.

          • Strawberrybitch

            Yeah and Bush once had approval ratings of about 90% at one time.

        • http://deleted Buzz Latte LaRue

          I actually believe that Obama will also be a one term president. All of us that watch politics have actually become Big Brother for Obama.

          His every goof and good move will be watched and scrutinized. I really don’t think this one note hack has much more to offer.

          • obamastolemyboyfriend

            I don’t even see the entire term for Odrama. I just don’t. The guy looks really unhealthy and then there is always something lurking because, let’s face it, the guy is a ciminal!

      • TeakwoodKite

        Past is prologue.

        • http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/video/2009/01/21/VI2009012101557.html?sid=ST2009012101096 trixta

          Past is prologue.

          Yes, GWB and BO are on the same continuum.

      • fif

        I didn’t vote for him.

        The only hope I’ve felt is seeing Hillary stepping into her role at State. THAT is inspiring, and makes me feel safer than anything else has. It’s also a tribute to the power of 18 million supporters. He wouldn’t have picked her if it hadn’t been for the “18 million cracks in the glass ceiling.” She’s such a star.

        • lilytoo

          fif, me too. Hill is the lone, freaking bright spot. I guess this is why she didn’t go off in a fit after being robbed….Hill does everything right even if it’s hard to figure at the time. She has spent 35 years getting to this point and really, she’s unstoppable. She’s the actual POTUS in my view. Any one else would have been politcal roadkill months ago. VIA HILLARY!!!

  • beachnan

    Thank you so much for posting this video of the new Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. It brought tears to my eyes. She is brilliant. She spoke, without a teleprompter, and from her heart, and it was a thrill to watch. She will make a wonderful SOS, just as she would have made a wonderful President. I feel robbed, because I know, America was bamboozled. God Bless her and America.

    • Ani

      Amen.

      And yes, this was a great video to watch. Thanks, Susan, for posting this.

  • steel magnolia

    What a wonderful woman is our Hillary! Just watching that video broke my heart all over again. What a GREAT president she would and should have been. I wish her the very best in this new job, but I still fear for her political future. I don’t trust Chicago political thuggery. Watch your back Hillary at all times!

  • fif

    Thanks so much for posting this. It is so healing to see her received with the appreciation and respect that she so deserves. It’s a great antidote to the habitual CDS. Take that MoDo–who greets you like that?!

  • Thinker

    Thank you for posting this.

    Hillary was brilliant.

    …kind of bittersweet. Like many others, I wish she was our President, still hoping it will happen, but she will make a great SOS.

    Everyone in that room seemed to be genuinely excited to see her. So many cell phone pictures, cameras,etc.

    as a side note, who was the dude standing behind her?? He was looking kind of right, lol

    ;)

    • http://none They shoe horses

      secret service.

  • socalannie

    It was wonderful to watch this. I thought Hil looked beautiful and confident. What an amazing leader, I’m sure she’ll have a great run as SOS, which will really round out her amazing career in public service.

    Susan, I know I’m about the 20th person to say this on this thread, but Thanks so much for posting this! Very Uplifting!

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  • Dawnelle

    Hillary will always be the smartest person in the room with this new administration.

    Just like Condi was probably the smartest person in the room in the last administration. (not that she was smart but compared to the rest of them, I’d say so)
    cheney shoots people in the face
    w can’t ride a bike and eat pretzels
    rummie couldn’t spin his way out of all of the “known unknowables” pfffffffft

    and so on and so forth

    lol

    it’s gonna be an adventure for sure Hillary

    I’m glad you are there.

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  • lilytoo

    Hillary ALWAYS thanks others and it’s heartfelt. That’s leadership. Barry, buy a freaking clue will ya?

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  • http://360.yahoo.com/ommotherlifeforce fred heidrick

    fantastic, i liked seeing the shot of all the flags of the world, and maybe the usa will become more of a world embasidor than the worlds police man.