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SoS Hillary Clinton, Off to a Running Start with Foreign Leaders and USAID

By Anita Finlay ("Ani") on January 25, 2009 at 4:45 PM in Afghanistan, Barack Obama, Current Affairs, Hillary Clinton, State Department

(bumped up by Susan from Saurday early evening)

I am so heartened to see Secretary of State Clinton back on the national, and international, stage once more. Certainly, she is setting both the tempo and a fine example for the State Department and USAID with her actions since being confirmed. Under the circumstances, it is, of course, bittersweet but without dwelling on what could have been, let’s focus on what is. She is certainly making the most of this new assignment, if these last two days are any indication.

Here is the first of the three-part video on her speech Friday to USAID personnel, with more about that speech below:

Three part Video – Part one

In SusanUnPC’s earlier story, ABC’s Report on Hillary’s First Day, she detailed the briefing SoS Clinton held with President Obama, VP Biden and their new special envoys, Sen. George Mitchell and Ambassador Richard Holbrooke. Hillary rightly pointed out the excellent signal the President’s attendance, and this unified front, sends to diplomats, civil service, and the world, of a revitalized State Department and a renewed commitment to both a change in direction for this country and robust diplomacy.

Following that meeting, Hillary continued to roll up her sleeves. No surprise there, by the way. But after eight years of an administration where, as Hillary herself said, “President Bush thought we only had one diplomat – Condi Rice, since he sent her everywhere…,” how refreshing to have a woman now at the helm who gets it – and intends to use every human resource available to progress our foreign policy.

Further, as Elisa Abbott of CNN reported today, Clinton Starts Working the Phones to US Allies, at the conclusion of this meeting, Hillary didn’t skip a beat:

WASHINGTON (CNN) — Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has phoned a slew of leaders since taking office on Thursday, reaching out to key allies in the Middle East, Asia and Europe as the Obama administration reviews foreign policies.

Clinton, who was sworn in Wednesday, has spoken with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and Defense Minister Ehud Barak, as well as Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, Jordan’s King Abdullah and the foreign ministers of Egypt and Saudi Arabia, according to acting State Department spokesman Robert Wood.

The calls were “introductory” and did not delve into the nuances of Middle East policy, despite a simmering crisis in Gaza and Thursday’s naming of former Sen. George Mitchell as a special envoy to the Middle East.

President Obama said Mitchell will help implement a cease-fire between Israelis and Hamas and support anti-smuggling efforts to prevent the latter from re-arming.
By naming Mitchell as his personal envoy, Obama is sending a diplomatic heavyweight to the region.

“He’s neither pro-Israeli nor pro-Palestinian,” Martin S. Indyk, a former U.S. ambassador to Israel, told The New York Times. “He’s, in a sense, neutral.”

Clinton also spoke with Afghan President Hamid Karzai, Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and India’s foreign minister, Wood said.

As proof positive that SoS Clinton is truly intending to focus more strongly on global women’s issues…

On Friday, Clinton met with a group of visiting female Afghan legal professionals.
The fourteen judges, prosecutors and defense attorneys were in Washington on a State Department training program on justice reform in Afghanistan.

The State Department issued a statement about the meeting late Friday. It was not on Clinton’s public schedule, and Wood did not mention the meeting at his daily press briefing when he discussed the secretary’s second day in office.

According to the State Department, Clinton praised the women’s “bravery and courage” for bringing reform to Afghanistan and reaffirmed President Obama’s commitment to stabilizing Afghanistan.

At her confirmation hearing, Clinton also pledged to focus more attention on women’s issues, especially in Afghanistan.

Having the talented Richard Holbrooks assist with negotations is also a good sign:

On Thursday, Obama and Clinton named Richard Holbrooke, former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, as a special representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan. Holbrooke negotiated the 1995 agreement at Dayton, Ohio, that ended the war in Bosnia.

Holbrooke said, “If our resources are mobilized and coordinated and pulled together, we can quadruple, quintuple, multiply by tenfold the effectiveness of our efforts there.”

Amid an administration review of North Korea, Clinton also spoke to the foreign ministers of Japan, South Korea, China and Australia — key allies working to disarm Pyongyang, the spokesman said.

She also spoke with the foreign ministers of India, Britain, France, Germany and the Czech Republic, which holds the rotating presidency of the European Union, Wood said.

The administration is also reviewing policy toward Iran, with Obama promising more engagement. Wood said that Undersecretary William Burns would be seeking input from Britain, France, Germany, China and Russia, partners in the so-called “P5 plus one” group dealing with Iran’s nuclear program.

Her many phone calls to these foreign leaders were likewise indicative of a Secretary of State ready to hit the ground running, backing up the promise that we will work to once again have more friends than enemies by working multilaterally.

Her next stop was a meeting with USAID. Parts two and three of the video of her speech to USAID follow:

Part Two

and Part Three

I am continually amazed at her grace and command of the issues and the players involved; her ability to speak specifically to our challenges, yet work to motivate those now in her charge. USAID is the global leader in maternal and child health, the fight against polio, hunger, poverty, and malnutrition, while promoting democracy, education and micro financing. Her hosts, Dr. Hall and Mr. Zamora, described Hillary’s long standing heartfelt commitment to the critical development efforts of USAID, as first lady and beyond.

hillary-usaid-1

hillary-usaid-2

Her speech to USAID (the transcript follows below), was indicative of the way she plans to work with and lead both there and at the State Department. Perhaps I can sum it up with a formula that I sensed in her demeanor toward her audience: Respect, Specificity, Permission + Challenge = Excellence. Hillary Clinton never gets up in front of anyone carelessly. No arrogance. She is frank, knowledgeable, enthusiastic. Her preparation and obvious commitment will motivate and energize both these organizations. She also spoke to the importance of State and USAID once again reclaiming the resources that have been so freely handed over to the Defense Department, since State and USAID have traditionally been in charge of development and rebuilding.

Address to U.S. Agency for International Development Employees
Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton (at State Dept. site)

Press Release: USAID Welcomes Secretary of State Clinton

We know she has her work cut out for her, as do they all. I can only tell you after seeing Secretary Clinton’s initial contact with and glowing reception at both State and USAID, I feel optimistic that we will once again have in place the diplomatic and development legs of the three legged stool – and no longer put the entire burden on defense, as we have foolishly done these past eight years.

Reuters report – polished version

hillary-usaid-3s

Whenever Hillary was out on the campaign trail, she always said “I will work my heart out for you.”

Bet on it.

* * *
Many thanks to SusanUnPC, Ginger and truthtelling007 for their assistance gathering the great images and videos above.

  • http://noquarter foxyladi14

    SHE IS SUPPOSED TO BE POTUS…
    we will not forget..

    • Johnny Smithfield

      Perhaps…but she’s not! No point in crying over spilled milk.

      I am so happy the President decided to choose HIllary. She will represent us well. There is no one smarter more or tireless than Hillary. And most importantly, she can go toe to toe with any world leader and look good doing it.

      I pity the fool who tries to mess with her!

  • ILBlue

    (sigh)Yes and boy do we need her now foxyladi14.

    I have to say of all the other positions including VP this is the best use of her ablilities and even the naysayers will sit up and take notice.

    She will have a freer hand here and able to accomplish more than as VP.

    I’m so proud of her and I for the first time since 9-11 feel much safer. And know I’m not forgetting who is really in charge but I am hoping their won’t be interference.

    Now my question is about the one woman who called her names during the campaign was that someone named Susan Rice??? How does her position fit into Hillary’s or does it??

    She would be a concern if she has anything at all to say about what Hillary does or doesn’t do.

  • CG

    Thanks very much Ani!

    “Whenever Hillary was out on the campaign trail, she always said “I will work my heart out for you.”

    Bet on it.”

    Hillary is so immensely competent and has shown such strong leadership, do I need to say it, from DAY ONE! No do overs for her! I wish her success in the difficult days ahead, as we use diplomacy as a tool once more. Hillary is about to make a huge difference.

  • fiscalliberal

    Susan Rice is UN Ambassador which is a communications position and not a policy position. She will have the smarts to know that if she crosses some lines with out being invited, Hillary and those that have her back will correct her.

    I think we all agree Hillary already has International stature. As a formal representative of the United States she will have more stature. As I said before, Mitchel and Holbroock have worked with her before. Didn’t she have a influence in Ireland in which Mitchel defended the work she did?

    So our gal will be doing good and I suspect she can be a demanding boss. I had the chance to meet some one who worked on Hillary’s staff in the White House and she said Hillary can be a very demading person with sharp elbows. But you did not mind it as you knew Hillary was workin just as hard and she needed you. So Hillary understands power in Washington and knows how to use it. It is going to be fun to watch her.

  • Texas Playwright

    Go, Hillary! I still don’t like her anywhere near bho the fraud, whom I will never trust. I know wherever HRC goes she’ll do a great job.

    Madame President wearing the SOS hat. Okay by me.

  • candymarl

    Hillary is everything Obama is not. She’s knowledgeable, experienced, and able to give a speech without a teleprompter.

    She has the facts at hand. The facts she gains through hard work and study. Does she rely on her staff? Of course she does. Does she know everything? No. But with experience comes wisdom and she’s smart enough to find out what she doesn’t know without “handlers” to spoon feed her information.

    I’m still not happy about her working for Obama but I never doubted that she was capable and up to the job.

    • tek

      candymarl: I read an article about chefs wanting Obie to improve food policy in the U. S. It said his favorite restaurant in Chicago is Topolobampo. The waitress asked one night if he wanted to sample different dishes and have some special margarita. His answer was: “Well, you know that’s the way I roll.”

      The guy is POTUS and that’s how he talks!

  • http://! stodgie

    i’d like to think there is a young hillary standing in that room ready to learn from the master.

    • truthtelling007

      yes, very good point. Imagine the potential of the young service members who can start from this position with this leader of their department. What an optimistic future that looks like.

  • beachnan

    Thank you for posting Hillary’s welcome to USAID, as well as her appearance at the State Department the other day. Her warmth, her intellect, and her competence shine through. I am reminded again, why I backed her for President of the United States. I believe she can do any job, and do it well because of her intellect, and her ability to do the hard work. It will be a joy to see her bloom and grow wherever she is planted, but I will not give up on my dream that she will one day, be President of the United States–and we would be lucky to have her.

    • Ani

      beachnan, I echo your sentiments exactly. Well stated.

  • Peggy Sue

    I am so encouraged every time I see and hear Hillary Clinton at these functions. She’s always on the mark, poised and dignified. I think she’s going to do great work in the behalf of the American people, and the reception she’s receiving is really quite stunning [they know what we know; she's a real champ].

    Thanks so much for the clips, Ani. I know there are many who feel she might be undermined by the Obama crowd. I don’t have a crystal ball, but my gut tells me she’s going to do extraordinary things and have a huge impact.

    You go, girl!

    • elise

      I feel the same and furthermore, that looks really “Inspirational” to me. She has said to the State Dept and USAID, she won’t put up with petty grievances or slackers, but she will respect and welcome new ideas if they help move things forward. She speaks without hesitation, without notes and with confidence. And she has a self depreciating sense of humor and that is really refreshing after all the arrogance, lack of humor of Obama. Thank you for all the videos and coverage because the msn will pass over her accomplishments when they can.

  • Coupe de Groucho

    sorry OT but interesting….

    Chairman Mao would be proud!

    http://newsbusters.org/blogs/noel-sheppard/2009/01/24/introducing-pocket-obama-anthology-obama-quotes

    Introducing ‘Pocket Obama’: Must-have Anthology of Obama Quotes

    By Noel Sheppard
    January 24, 2009 – 12:40 ET
    Just in case you can’t get through a day without some refreshing and uplifting words from the new president, the History Company has created the “Pocket Obama.”

    This is a tiny, pocket-sized book filled with “quotations borrowed from Barack Obama’s speeches and writings.”

    According to its creators, “It is an unofficial requirement for every citizen to own, to read, and to carry this book at all times.”

    • Peggy Sue

      So now we’ll have “The Little Blue Book.”

      Good grief! Sorry, but I need to gag.

    • truthtelling007

      kool-aid in a box?

      • http://americanpumainitaly.blogspot.com/ American Girl in Italy

        comes with a little sippy straw so you can suck the knowledge straight into your brain.

    • wodiej

      AGI, LOL

      for God’s sake..Rev Manning had a sermon comparing the Obot’s to the Moonies….I’d say he’s on the mark.

    • Kal

      But surely it will be available in digital form, and video, so BO’s followers can access it too.

    • janet

      Right – this is really true – a requirement, just like Chairman Mao’s book. stop spreading this crap – and all the innuendos.

  • fiscalliberal

    SOS has been a job where the people can fade. Rogers under Nixon / Kissinger, Schultz and Haig under Reagn did not shine. GHW Bush, Baker and Eagleburger did good. Clinton had Christofer who deliberately stayed low. Albright was very active. Powell under GW Bush – not good. In the case of Condi Rice, she just was not up to the job and had to deal with her mistakes she made at NSC.

    Hillary is a strong person with her own base. Obama is not a strong person unless propped up by others with a teleprompter. As president, he will not be able to vote present and his shining star will be tarnished. So – Hillary should be able to do pretty good.

  • avwrobel

    Pardon my sexist remark, but what an incredible doll! She is such an inspiration; an intelligent, focused, driven, eloquent leader I’m proud to have as our representative to the world.

    • wodiej

      you’re forgiven :)

  • http://americanpumainitaly.blogspot.com/ American Girl in Italy

    Wow! thanks for the fab Hillary update! I love it!

    You know, reading all the issues you discussed here, and thinking of how important these issues are, I am almost glad she didn’t become President (just a tiny almost). She is in a great position, and has some huge responsibilities and fantastic opportunities ahead of her.

    She can focus on certain issues, and not get bogged down in the mess that is our economy. (and get blamed if things get worse…)

    Dang, she is scary smart!

    • Ani

      She is also in a position to shine a bright lens on the needs of women around the world — and that will bleed over to the U.S.

      • http://americanpumainitaly.blogspot.com/ American Girl in Italy

        yes!

        • janet

          NOW who sounds like they are drinking kool aid??? Who is this woman you all worship to no end? Capable absolutely and a hard worker who will undoubtedly do a great job as SOS. Not everyone thinks she is the leader you do – but guess that’s not important anyway, she doesn’t need those qualities – she’s got you followers drooling over everything she says.

          • Ani

            Drooling? It is refreshing to listen to someone who knows what the hell she is talking about and has a deep understanding of all the players and all the issues — without the need of a teleprompter or 300 advisors.

            Many here have been generous enough to wish President Obama well even though they are very unhappy about his gross lack of qualifications, flip flopping and doing everything for political expediency, among other things.

            For the past 8 years we have been demoralized by Bush, and Condi — who is no great shakes in my view. Of course we are happy and energized.

            SoS Clinton has actually earned the praise we give her (not only this week but over many years). Unlike some others I could name. Pardon me, but your post sounds a little envious. You have your chosen President. Aren’t you ecstatic?

            Hillary supporters have every right to find hope and a bright light in the great start she’s gotten these past few days. Letting the world know that the State Dept and USAID are “back” is smart for many reasons — it sends a huge and positive message to the world and to our allies. Who wouldn’t be happy about that?

  • OBushMa

    It’s clear that BO is the figurehead, and Hillary is the power to be reckoned with. Amen.

  • http://deleted Buzz Latte LaRue

    Agreed. Obama’s just the brand icon. Hillary is the power. As it should be.

  • CG

    Can you imagine how disheartened the USAID professionals were when Hillary said

    “We are asking you to do more and more with less, and my goal is to make sure we match the mission and the resources.
    You have to be able to make it [the case to receive funding] to your sister who’s worried about paying her car payments, to your son who got out of college and the jobs dried up, to your husband who is worried his job is going to disappear. You’ve got to be able to make the case that what you do for America is important, even in these tough times.
    I believe we can make that case. But it can’t be just a speech from me. It has to be the accumulated efforts of every one of you that will enable me to make the case, not just to our Congress and not just to the White House, but to the American people.
    So I’m ready to roll up my sleeves and get to work with you.”

    Think of the over-indulgent, extravagant spending on the inauguration celebrations, and how that $180,000,000+ might have been well spent on ‘development’ as it relates to national security with the work that USAID does.

    Hillary spoke about a line in the movie “A League of Their Own,” when Tom Hanks character says “Well, it’s supposed to be hard. If it weren’t hard, anybody could do it.” I say Hillary is in League of Her Own.

    • Liberty Belle not for Obama

      Amen! She is in a league of her own! I think she was supposed to be POTUS, too.

  • Gary McGowan

    Thank you Ani, SusanUnPC, Ginger and truthtelling007 for a high-quality report. Your continual and present efforts and quality work are much appreciated!

    And the great comments too…

    ’d like to think there is a young Hillary standing in that room ready to learn from the master. Imagine the potential of the young service members … with this leader of their department. What an optimistic future that looks like.

  • kgirl

    Clinton is the one bright spot in this entire Obamanation of an administration. The rest like Rhom, Holder, Gietner (especially Gietner), and the ditzy press sec robert gibbs who can’t answer a question without help (but then neither can obama) leave much to be desired. And Obama is well…you know Obama…Sigh… you can give a George W. Bush hooked on phonics but it’s still a George W. Bush. Dumb…as…hell…*rolling my eyes*. Hopefully hillary will have enough independence to do her job correctly.

  • ACPD

    I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall, when BO realized he not only couldn’t continue to ignore HRC, but that he needed her. He is such an air-head! She is so much wiser and smarter than he could ever be. I am grateful to her for having held steady and strong on our behalf. While the others play and preen, she will work to keep us safe. Thank God….

    • http://! stodgie

      acpd, i’d like to be a fly on the wall when michelle found out. smile!

  • ACPD

    Compare HRC’s speech with BO’s press secretary:

    http://www.swamppolitics.com/news/politics/blog/2009/01/robert_gibbs_not_going_to_spea.html

    This is the difference between grown ups and make believe….

    • helenk

      I almost feel sorry for that man ( the press secretary) He will announce something that backtrack is supposed to do or say and within 10 minutes at the most backtrack will change his mind.

      WOMEN WITH INTELLIGENCE AND EXPERIENCE, MEN WHO SUPPORT THEM AND COUNTRY BEFORE PARTY ALWAYS

      PUMAS,BUBBAS, AND THOSE PEOPLE RULE

  • SJ

    Yes Hillary will do well, but lets not forget who is President and when this fool starts to mess up, I just hope Hillary dose not drown in all the crap.

    People have a funny way of turning sour on everyone when the leader is the biggest dumbo of all, this was the main reason and it still is for me that I just wished Hillary stayed far away from Obama.

    Unfortunately for what ever the reason she did not, she wanted in and unfortunately Obama is going to mess up and Hillary will pay the price.

    • lark

      The Gitmo closing executive order is one way by which Obama has already screwed up Hillary and one way she will pay a very steep price for meddling with it from the wrong end of the matter.

      Obama should have allowed Hillary to deal with the problem cautiously and methodically and she would have brought the issue to a soft landing. But now she needs to deal with this problem head on and on a dead line and with very little support built in front of her. Bad news for Hillary. She is already in trouble with it.

    • tek

      Lark:This is exactly why if you love Hillary, you have to hope for the best in this administration. If he messes up, it will stick to everyone in his administration.
      Hillary finally backed BO publicly because if she hadn’t, she never could have had any position in the government again. People on the inside knew Obama was a done deal; fixed.

  • wodiej

    There is no way any of us can know what exactly the future holds or why things turned out the way they did. I do know that despite my disappointment that Hillary supported BO, perhaps she did so to accomplish a greater goal and good and that was for us, the American people. She knew there was a very good probability he was going to win anyway. If she didn’t support him, she would not have been SOS and had a chance to make a positive impact for us.

    • Ani

      Well put. I think that is exactly it. In spite of the risks, if she did not step up to the plate now, this would fly in the face of everything she says she stands for — which is to help the American people. She can accomplish a great deal regardless of who is at the helm and we certainly need her to do just that (regardless of personal feelings in the matter).

  • tek

    Hillary will be the best SOS every. Even Republicans are saying so.

    POTUS 2016

  • http://www.rabblerouserruminations.blogspot.com/ Rabble Rouser Reverend Amy

    Another outstanding post, Ani – THANK YOU! I am so happy to be able to hear Clinton again. I have missed her voice. I have no doubt that as much as she is allowed, she will be a stellar SoS – her grasp of the issues, her intellect, her dedication, her servant’s heart will serve all of US well. And it is a reminder of why the majority of us supported HER to be the DNC nominee. Can you imagine her utilizing all of these same abilities and commitments with the power of the WH behind her?

    Still – so good that there is ONE wise, dedicated grown up in the room…

  • b mathews

    i think all this praise for hillary will not sit well with both MO and BO. they dont like anyone to outshine them..so maybe we’d better be a little cautious what we say about her (particularly that she is really the shadow pres. even tho she is)ever notice the sour puss on both their faces when hillary gets any favorable attention?

    • Naomi

      Nope – never noticed their sour face when Hillary gets in the news. Sure notice her look when attention is on HIM, however. And I seriously DOUBT that either Michelle or the President are reading this blog for their news updates! Tell me one reason they should even care???

  • Katmoon

    One of the very few reasons I can sleep well; our SOS, bless her.

  • Diana L. C.

    Well, Kissinger’s reputation remained intact after Watergate. (Just in case there’s a presidential scandal in the works.)

    I am more hopeful that this may be the best for Hillary’s reputation, and it certainly IS a position that appears to fill her heart. I do like the idea of Hillary doing this kind of work. It is important work.

    Go Hillary!

  • http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2709224470104563540CUYQRK Seattle Moss

    I am so heartened to see Secretary of State Clinton back on the national, and international, stage once more

    Ani…

    I’m so happy too!!
    Watching Hillary show up at the State department the other day was breathtaking. I bet there was never a time in history that an SOS had that type of welcoming.

  • tek

    It’s so cool that she was First Lady and she’s already familiar with these organizations. I’ll never forgive Obama for dissing a great Democratic First Lady.
    God, people just love her!

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