**UPDATED w/ PHOTO!!** Secretary Clinton's Bilateral with Santa (Ho-Ho-Ho!)

It was obviously "closed press coverage" (which drives Hillary bloggers nuts!), but P.J. Crowley was kind enough to provide a little insight into the nature of the broad range of issues discussed. Neither was there a camera spray after the meeting. So this photo of the principals will have to suffice.

MR. CROWLEY:...a few of you have asked about the schedule of the Secretary of State over the next few days. I can tell you this morning the Secretary departed Washington and she stopped at the North Pole for an important bilateral meeting with a well known international figure. During the meeting, in a formal demarche, sung to the tune of Twelve Days of Christmas, the Secretary outlined her aspirations for the new year. They include, and feel free to hum along: open and accountable governments, Middle East negotiations, more civilians in Afghanistan, empowerment of women, fewer nuclear weapons, respect for human rights, resolution of historic grievances, treaties through the United States Senate, Six-Party Talks, dialogue with Iran, enough food for people of the world to eat, climate change legislation, and lastly, a championship for the Boston Red Sox. Okay, that last one’s not on her list, but Harold Koh and I thought it was important that we mention that here.

QUESTION: And it’s gotten that bad, huh? She’s got to go ask Santa for this stuff? (Laughter.) That’s a pretty damming statement.

MR. CROWLEY: Whatever it takes....

Whatever it takes to get Boston a championship? Ho-Ho-Ho!!!! We KNOW our NY girl did NOT ask Santa for that!

No mention either of whether she sat on Santa's lap. Santa, you're a lucky guy!

**UPDATE**12/23/09 Just for Jen: Well it seems someone DID manage to get a photo. Paparazzi apparently alive and thriving at the North Pole!

**UPDATE** Here is CNN's rather cute take on this story. The article gives some particularly nice kudos to our girl's handling of holiday parties at State (in contrast to past practices).

She didn't depart Washington on a sleigh led by nine reindeer, but Clinton spread her own dose of Christmas spirit throughout the halls of Foggy Bottom before taking off, hosting no fewer than seven holiday parties at the State Department during the holiday season....

This year the parties were smaller and much more intimate than the parties of Christmas past. Clinton held court in the cozy Thomas Jefferson diplomatic reception room, rather than the large and ornate Benjamin Franklin room where parties are traditionally held. As is customary, the Secretary of State mingled among the crowds, smiling and posing for pictures.

READ THE ARTICLE HERE