Hillary Clinton's Transition Office: No Decision Yet (So Cool Your Heels, Y'All!)

According to a New York Times article today,  Hillary Clinton has not only an office but also an initial paid speaking engagement lined up.  Jim Rutenberg reports that the recently retired Secretary of State will make her paid speaking debut on April 24 in Dallas. Her office, located on Connecticut Avenue in DC,  is dealing with,  as Rutenberg puts it "the considerable business of being Hillary Clinton."

Operating with a small staff, the clear voice of the "transition office," as it is being called, remains her longtime spokesman Philippe Reines.   Responding to rumors that insiders have leaked that she is running again in 2016,  Reines  stated,  “Everyone’s gotten way ahead of themselves, and most importantly, they have gotten way ahead of her.”

Rutenberg goes on to offer this.

Those who are most connected to her exhaustive network of political financiers — some of whom remained in her orbit with plum invitations to official diplomatic soirees — say its most important members will make no move until she gives the signal.

Yes, there are those insisting that they know she is running. Clearly, according to the above, these folks would not be among the "most important members" and "have gotten way ahead of her," as Reines put it.
So what is Hillary Clinton doing now with this mysterious little office?

These days, Mrs. Clinton is devoting much of her time to her next book, about her years in the State Department. She is also debating how best to continue her work on women’s issues, which she could do either through her husband’s foundation or one she may start on her own.

It is no secret that many would love to see her make the run, but that is her decision to make, and she has not made it.  If anyone assures you that he or she knows for certain that her hat is in the ring, that person is talking through his or her hat!

Read the article here and Happy Easter, all!

Happy Easter Mme. Secretary and Mr. President

We wish you a happy and blessed Easter.

Happy Easter to everyone here!

Hillary Clinton to be Honored by Grand Rapids Economic Club in June

Adding her name to a long list of notables, Hillary Clinton has accepted the invitation of the prestigious Grand Rapids Economic Club where she will be the guest of honor at their 26th Annual Dinner this June.

Hillary Clinton coming to Grand Rapids this summer for Economic Club event

By Zane McMillin | zmcmilli@mlive.com
on March 27, 2013 at 3:01 PM, updated March 27, 2013 at 5:12 PM

Hillary Clinton will be guest of honor at the Economic Club of Grand Rapids' Annual Dinner in June. AP File Photo

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Hillary Clinton, former secretary of state to President Barack Obama, will attend the Economic Club of Grand Rapids' 26th Annual Dinner this summer.
The Club announced Wednesday that Clinton, a former U.S. senator for New York, will be guest of honor at the Monday, June 17, event in the Steelcase Ballroom of DeVos Place.
Only Economic Club members are able to attend.
Read more >>>>

If Bill Cinton sneezes, does it mean Hillary is running? Welcome to allergy season 2013!

What the connection could possibly be between Bill Clinton delivering a commencement address and our esteemed Hillary making a run for the White House in 2016 is no clearer in this article than it is in the header.  It seems that anything Bill Clinton does lately is caught on the Hillary 2016 watch seismograph and must mean something!  But what?   Seismologists at the Columbia University Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory  in Palisades NY may not be paying attention,  but clearly the Clinton-watchers are. 

News

10:19pm March 26, 2013

Hillary Running? Bill Clinton to Deliver Howard Commencement on May 11

Former President Bill Clinton will deliver the commencement address at Howard University on Saturday, May 11.

SNIP

Does the former President’s speech indicate the slow but steady ramp up to a 2016 presidential run for his wife, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton? last week, Hillary Clinton announced her support of gay marriage in a video announcement.

Read more >>>>

It makes you wonder whether logic is still part of the curriculum at any level  anywhere.  The connection between the commencement address and any clue of Hillary making a run in 2016 is comedic enough to generate some humorous fake-headers from our Jen the Michigander.

Future headlines:

"Bill Clinton buys blue tie with white stripes. Hillary 2016 announcement expected soon."

"Bill Clinton sends birthday card to Bruce Springsteen. Could this mean the E Street Band will play at Hillary inauguration?"

"Bill Clinton courting Hispanic vote for Hillary 2016 by eating burrito."

Poll: Who Is Your Favorite Modern Secretary Of State?

Presidential Madness (Round 2): Favorite modern secretary of state

By NCC Staff | National Constitution Center

Here are the six nominees for best modern secretary of state, along with a quick bio of their time in office:

1. George C. Marshall. Served 1947 – 1949. As Harry Truman’s secretary of state, Marshall’s Plan rebuilt Europe after World War II, and he was later awarded a Nobel Prize for his efforts.

2. Henry Kissinger. Served 1973 – 1977. The high-profile secretary for Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford, Kissinger was a career diplomat who pioneered the policy of detente with the Soviet Union.

3. George P. Shultz. Served 1982 – 1989. Only one of two people to serve in four different cabinet positions, Shultz led the State Department for most of the Reagan era.

4. Madeleine Albright. Served 1997 – 2001. The first woman to serve as secretary, Albright played an important role in the Clinton administration.
5. Condoleezza Rice. Served 2005 – 2009. A Shultz protégé, Rice first served as President George W. Bush’s national security adviser before becoming secretary of state.
6. Hillary Clinton. Served 2009 – 2013. The former first lady served in the Senate and then became the most-traveled secretary ever as part of the Obama administration.
Pick your favorite in our poll below, and check back each day to see a new March Cabinet Madness vote!

Note: If you can’t see the poll below, use this link: http://poll.fm/45otg

Read more >>>>

Jennifer Rubin on Hillary Clinton's Legacy Again ... (yawn)

Since Jennifer Rubin has elaborated her attack on Hillary Clinton's legacy at the State Department, I am compelled to take on her latest barrage, but the truth is that she is becoming repetitive and tiresome with her empty bloviating.  It is astounding that she gets paid to write this tripe.

Here are her top 10 disasters:
1. She insisted we side with Hugo Chavez’s stooge in Honduras....

Hillary Clinton: Remarks at the Top of the Daily Press Briefing

July 7, 2009

I just finished a productive meeting with President Zelaya. We discussed the events of the past nine days and the road ahead. I reiterated to him that the United States supports the restoration of the democratic constitutional order in Honduras.

2. She touted a Russian “reset.”

Video: Secretary Clinton’s Remarks After Exchange of Instruments of Ratification for the New START Treaty

February 5, 2011

3.  She couldn’t manage to figure a way to reach agreement with Iraq on a status-of-forces deal.

She was Secretary of State not Secretary of Defense, but for some reason there was a great deal of pressure on her to take up defense issues.  Iraq did not become her operation until August 2010 when the last troops pulled out.

Quiet Handover: From Defense to State

August 18, 2010

4. Speaking of which, Clinton assured us for months that Assad was a “reformer.” She dragged her feet and then was rebuffed three times by the un-reset Russians at the United Nations. She delayed in reaching out to the Syrian rebels and in providing aid. She left a human catastrophe of 70,000 dead Syrians and millions of refugees streaming into Syria’s neighbors.

A. She did not call him a reformer. She was quoting others who had visited Syria.

(CNSNews.com) – Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Sunday drew a contrast between Syrian President Bashir Assad and his late father and predecessor, and said U.S. lawmakers who recently have visited Damascus regarded him as a “reformer.”

B. Oh, it is simply too much. Here is the entire archive here on Syria - everything she said, did , and every trip to meetings of Friends of the Syrian People.

Search Results for 'Syria'

C. Hillary Clinton did not kill 70,000 Syrians or displace anyone.  Assad's regime did that.

5.  Also among the dead in the Middle East, of course, was Ambassador Chris Stevens ....

Once again, she did not kill her friend Chris Stevens.  Her requests for diplomatic security funding were twice cut by the very Tea Party Republicans who attacked her on Benghazi.

House Tea Party Members In Pursuit Of Hillary Clinton: Examine Your Own Role In Cutting Diplo Post Security

October 7, 2012

6.  She dispatched George Mitchell as her special envoy for the Middle East, who promptly became persona non grata with both Israelis and Palestinians. Her shrieking about settlements only alientated the administration from both sides. (This approach was renounced by the president in his recent Mideast trip.) She ambushed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the eve of his trip to the White House to tell him, that oh yes, the president would be publicly announcing that U.S. policy was to begin negotiations at “1967 borders” with land swaps.

One of the problems with what Rubin states is the overwhelming absence of any evidence whatsoever.  George Mitchell promptly became persona non grata?   That would have barred him from entry to the region.  So how is it that he visited on a frequent basis with and without Mme. Secretary?  These entries refute that claim.

Search Results for 'George Mitchell'

"Shrieking" about settlements?  And where is the chapter and verse of Obama's renunciation? Here is what he said.

Israelis must recognize that continued settlement activity is counterproductive to the cause of peace, and that an independent Palestine must be viable– that real borders will have to be drawn.

As for those 1967 borders with land swaps that has been U.S. policy through several administrations, there is this.

Obama's vision for Mideast peace: Israel, Palestine based on 1967 borders with land swaps

7. The administration was largely moot during Iran’s Green Revolution in June 2009....

Oh, smh, I did addressed this in the last post.

... the State Department did what it could in the face of a silent, hesitant President during the Green Revolution.  Aware that people in the streets of Tehran and other cities were depending on Twitter to communicate life-and-death information and learning that Twitter intended to close down for maintenance, Hillary Clinton prevailed upon Twitter to leave the lines of communication open.  They did, as those of us who spent those weekends retweeting important tweets from Iran can attest.

8. Her reaction to the Egyptian revolution, and indeed to the entire Arab Spring, was incoherent and meek.

Hillary Clinton spoke out to Arab leaders and elders long before these revolutions broke out and to some criticism. No two revolutions were alike. To suggest that there could have been a template that would have addressed them all is naive. The Arab world is no more homogeneous than Latin America is, and no cut-and-paste solutions would have been effective, as P..J. Crowley noted today on Bashir Live with Karen Finney.

Secretary Clinton at Forum for the Future

Nov. 2009

Video: Secretary Clinton’s Remarks at Forum for the Future

Jan. 2011
Two years ago this week,  Hillary engaged in an exhausting week of shuttle diplomacy an finally accomplished an agreement to a no fly zone over Libya.

Hillary Clinton: Remarks at the International Conference on Libya

March 29, 2011

9. She did not restore our “standing in the world,” as she vowed to do.

Once again, no evidence is offered for this sweeping assertion. It would take a boatload of links to counter it, but if you search this blog at your leisure you will find four years' worth of strategic dialogues, memoranda of understanding, and bilateral and trilateral agreements that attest that she reached out to countries previously neglected.

10. Early in her term she sent a terrible message by informing the Chinese that human rights shouldn’t be allowed to get in the way of relations between the countries.

Right. That is how this happened.

Hillary Clinton’s Statement on Chen Guangcheng

May 2, 2012
She never ceased talking human rights with Chinese officials behind closed doors and stated that numerous times. 
Rubin's war on Hillary Clinton's State Department legacy is feeble, boring, and redundant.  She needs to turn her sights elsewhere.  Her attacks are lame with lack of substantiation and a surplus of broad implication that goes unattributed. 

Hillary Clinton did better than this and deserves better.  Great job, Mme. Secretary!  Thank you!

On a related and very heartening note, there was this affirmation of Hillary's legacy today by Grace Meng (D -NY).

Grace Meng introduces the Benghazi bill Hillary Clinton asked for

Meng and Clinton during a House hearing. C-SPAN

By Reid Pillifant
4:23 pm Mar. 26, 2013

Rep. Grace Meng announced in a press release this morning that she's co-sponsoring a bipartisan bill "to prevent another Benghazi," referring to the attack in Libya that killed four American diplomatic personnel last September.
Read more >>>>

About Hillary Clinton's "Puny" Legacy, Jennifer Rubin ...

In her signature style of random, shallow cuts inaccurately delivered, Jennifer Rubin makes a pathetic attempt, in today's Washington Post, to slash and burn Hillary Clinton's legacy at the State Department.  The problem with her attack is that Hillary Clinton was not at the helm driving the policies that Rubin targets in this order.

1. In the case of Benghazi, she didn’t quite make it out the door unscathed.
2. Confidence in Obama in Muslim countries dropped from 33% to 24% in his first term.
3. ... fecklessness with regard to Iran.
4. ... doing nothing to end the suffering in Syria.
5. ... embracing Muslim Brotherhood chief Mohamed Morsi.
6. On Clinton’s watch, a U.S. ambassador was killed ... (Yes, Benghazi again).
7. The administration was largely mute at a critical time in the Green Revolution.
8. The Palestinian Authority, against our express wishes, went to the United Nations for a declaration of statehood, while we were able to round up fewer than 10 “no” votes.
9. Syria’s chemical weapons were not secured....
10. Russian reset was such a bust that Clinton’s successor, John Kerry, was compelled to dump it as he was taking office.

Rubin's major obstacle in lodging these complaints is the job description of the Secretary of State as presented at the State Department website.

The Secretary of State, appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate, is the President's chief foreign affairs adviser. The Secretary carries out the President's foreign policies through the State Department, which includes the Foreign Service, Civil Service, and U.S. Agency for International Development

The policies were not Hillary's.  Nevertheless, let's take a look at what she did manage to accomplish.

1.  The Benghazi "scathing" -  her soaring poll numbers fly in the face of that one.

2. Aside from a much-trumpeted speech in Cairo in 2009, the Obama administration early on focused attention on East Asia providing no follow-up to Cairo.  This was not Hillary's decision.  Hillary stood firm in Spring of 2009 against continued construction in East Jerusalem.  No support was forthcoming from the White House.  By Fall of 2009 the White House had pulled her back from this issue.  When Netanyahu issued a 10 month freeze on construction she had to welcome it with open arms ... not a popular endorsement in the Arab world, and not her policy.

I want to take 3 and 7 together.  Rubin is also ill-organized.  Aside from Iran policy being in the hands of the White House,  the State Department did what it could in the face of a silent, hesitant President during the Green Revolution.  Aware that people in the streets of Tehran and other cities were depending on Twitter to communicate life-and-death information and learning that Twitter intended to close down for maintenance, Hillary Clinton prevailed upon Twitter to leave the lines of communication open.  They did, as those of us who spent those weekends retweeting important tweets from Iran can attest. 

4. Since the 2012 Republican Vice Presidential candidate did not know that aside from negotiating at the U.N. on Syria, we were energetically participating in a group called Friends of the Syrian People, I suppose I cannot expect Rubin to be aware of this either.  From April until she fell ill in December of 2012 Hillary Clinton attended at least five meetings and was scheduled for another which she could not attend due to her illness. 

5. She did not embrace the Muslim Brotherhood's chief.  He is the democratically-elected President of Egypt and stepped down from the leadership of the Brotherhood when elected.  She visited a president, as she had many, in this case to ensure that Egypt would continue to respect agreements with Israel.

6. Yes, we lost an Ambassador, one who was a friend of hers, and that was tragic.  To blame Hillary for this when Congress twice chopped her Diplomatic Security budget and given the conventions under which mission security operates is patently political gamesmanship.

8. With regard to the Palestinian resolution at the U.N.  it is not the job of the Secretary of State to "round up votes" at the U.N.  That is why we have an ambassador to the U.N.

9.  Syria's chemical weapons - why it is perceived to be the job of one sole person, the Secretary of State,  to achieve this escapes me.  The Friends of the Syrian People have been working together on international sanctions.  It is not in the hands of an individual person.

10.  Russia.  Hillary Clinton and Sergei Lavrov worked exceedingly well together and achieved the very crucial New START treaty.  This was immense, a great victory for both diplomats and both countries.  Their relationship remained solid throughout her tenure.

Here are a few other things she did. 

>For the first time in its history she completely overhauled the State Department , USAID, and interagency cooperation with her Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review (QDDR).

>For the first time in history she called all of the chiefs of mission together at the State Department for annual conferences.

>She instituted an Office of Global Women's Issues.

>In June 2009 she provided benefits to domestic partners of foreign service diplomats for the first time.

>She brought previously neglected countries to the table with numerous memoranda of understanding and countless business initiatives.

>She kept the alliance between Afghanistan and Pakistan stable despite enormous challenges.

>She reopened the vital supply route from Pakistan into Afghanistan.

>She ensured U.S. access to the vital Manas airstip in Kyrgystan.

>She Salvaged the Turkey-Armenia accords which  she was supposed to simply witness when they suddenly nearly fell apart.

>She brought issues like human trafficking as well as violence against women and LGBT communities to the international table.

These are simply a few things that come to mind at the moment, and I probably have left out some important events.  Nonetheless, I believe these accomplishments stand well in the face of nouns like "fecklessness."  Clearly Rubin is wrong and way off-base.  Hillary Clinton has left an indelible mark on the State Department and has brought its operations into the 21st century with her integration of social networking into our outreach to the world.  She has been a tremendously effective Secretary of State and a hero to many, our own troops at war among them.  We can be appreciative of her selfless service and proud of the job she has done.

Hillary Clinton to Participate in 2013 Vital Voices Global Leadership Awards

Folks in the D.C. area will also have a chance to see Hillary Clinton early next month.

2013 Global Leadership Awards

2013 Vital Voices Global Leadership Awards
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Opera House
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
7:30 PM Awards Presentation
 
FEATURING
 Tina Brown
Nicholas Kristof
Diane von Furstenberg  

HONORED GUESTS
Vice President Joe Biden
The Honorable Hillary Rodham Clinton

Global Trailblazer:  Malala Yousafzai | PAKISTAN
Solidarity Award:   The Kant Brothers | INDIA
Fern Holland Award:  Dr. Hawa Abdi | SOMALIA
Human Rights Award:  Sandra Gomes Melo | BRAZIL
Economic Empowerment Award:  Manal Yaish Zraiq | PALESTINE
Leadership in Public Life Award:  Tep Vanny| CAMBODIA 
Special Tribute:  The Honorable Melanne Verveer
Vital Voices Co-Founder and Chair Emeritus
This evening is dedicated to the memory of Inez McCormack.
For more information, CLICK HERE.

Hillary Clinton to Appear at 4th Annual Women In The World Event

We wondered why her name was not on the original list of speakers, but now it is official.  Hillary Clinton will once again grace this event.

Hillary Clinton Joins Women in the World Summit

Mar 21, 2013 3:39 PM EDT

In one of her first appearances since leaving the State Dept., Clinton will join some of the world's most inspirational women at our fourth Women in the World Summit.

In one of her first appearances since leaving the State Department, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will be joining the Women in the World Summit to be held April 4 and 5 at New York’s Lincoln Center.  The annual summit, now in its fourth year, illuminates global issues through the voices of leaders, activists, artists, and pioneers who are confronting the most urgent challenges faced by women and girls around the world.
Read more >>>>

2010


2011


2012

New Quinnipiac Poll Shows Hillary Clinton in Double-Digit Lead Over Bush and Rubio in Florida

The new Qunnipiac poll shows Hillary beating out two Florida favorites, and you know what they say  - Florida, Florida, Florida. 

March 21, 2013 - Clinton Tops Florida Favorite Sons In 2016 Race, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has double-digit leads over either of Florida's favorite sons, former Gov. Jeb Bush or U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, in an early look at the 2016 presidential election, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.
SNIP
Mrs. Clinton, who shows the most strength of any potential 2016 aspirant in Quinnipiac University’s national polls, leads Jeb Bush 51 – 40 percent and bests Sen. Rubio 52 – 41 percent in a poll of Sunshine State registered voters.
Clinton is viewed much more favorably than either man, 62 – 33 percent favorable for Clinton, compared to 50 – 35 percent favorable for Bush and 41 – 34 percent for Rubio.
“We probably won’t know for some time whether former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton runs for president in 2016, but if she decides to make the race, she begins with a sizable lead in a state that Republicans cannot win the White House without,” said Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac  University Polling Institute. “Florida voters have a very positive view of Mrs. Clinton and it’s not just Democrats who feel that way.”
Mrs. Clinton is viewed favorably by 26 percent of Republicans, not bad for a Democrat who’s had her share of battles with the GOP, and gets a 57 – 35 percent favorability among the key voting group, independents. Not surprisingly, she gets 93 – 5 percent favorability among Democrats. She has a 10-point gender gap: 66 percent of women and 56 percent of men view her favorably.
In a head-to-head with Jeb Bush, Mrs. Clinton would get 10 percent of Republicans while he would only get 4 percent of Democrats. Independent voters are divided 42 percent for Clinton and 41 percent for Bush.

10. If the election for President were being held today, and the candidates were Hillary Clinton the Democrat and Jeb Bush the Republican, for whom would you vote?

Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Clinton 51% 10% 92% 42% 45% 56% 44% 86% 62% Bush 40 88 4 41 45 36 48 9 30 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 1 - - 2 1 1 1 - - WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 2 1 1 4 4 1 2 3 - DK/NA 5 1 2 11 5 6 5 1 8 WHITE.............................................. COLLEGE DEG BornAgnEv Yes No Prot Cath Men Wom Yes No Clinton 47% 42% 32% 42% 38% 49% 25% 44% Bush 45 50 60 51 53 44 66 48 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 2 1 2 - 1 1 2 1 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 1 2 1 - 3 1 3 2 DK/NA 5 5 4 7 5 6 5 5 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Clinton 52% 51% 53% 54% 51% 55% 51% 50% Bush 39 41 39 43 39 31 45 42 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 1 1 1 - 3 1 1 1 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 1 3 2 1 2 6 1 1 DK/NA 6 5 5 2 5 8 2 5

11. If the election for President were being held today, and the candidates were Hillary Clinton the Democrat and Marco Rubio the Republican, for whom would you vote?

Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Clinton 52% 8% 90% 47% 48% 55% 45% 88% 57% Rubio 41 90 6 38 44 37 48 6 35 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 1 - 1 2 1 1 1 1 - WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 1 - - 2 1 - 1 3 - DK/NA 6 1 3 11 5 6 5 2 8 WHITE.............................................. COLLEGE DEG BornAgnEv Yes No Prot Cath Men Wom Yes No Clinton 50% 42% 32% 47% 41% 49% 27% 45% Rubio 46 49 62 47 53 44 67 48 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 1 1 1 - 1 1 1 1 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) - 1 1 - 1 - 2 1 DK/NA 3 6 4 6 4 6 3 5 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Clinton 55% 51% 52% 56% 55% 54% 53% 51% Rubio 39 41 38 41 41 33 43 42 SMONE ELSE(VOL) - 1 2 - 1 2 - 1 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) - 1 1 - - 3 - - DK/NA 5 6 6 3 4 8 4 5

12. Is your opinion of Jeb Bush favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about him?

Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Favorable 50% 87% 27% 48% 50% 50% 58% 20% 41% Unfavorable 35 5 61 32 36 35 31 62 32 Hvn't hrd enough 13 7 11 17 13 12 9 17 25 REFUSED 2 1 1 3 1 3 2 1 1

13. Is your opinion of Marco Rubio favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about him?

Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Favorable 41% 81% 12% 41% 45% 38% 48% 10% 39% Unfavorable 34 3 60 30 34 33 31 51 34 Hvn't hrd enough 24 15 26 26 20 27 20 39 25 REFUSED 1 - 2 2 1 2 1 - 2

TREND: Is your opinion of Marco Rubio favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about him?

FAVORABLE...... High Low Mar 21 May 23 Feb 03 Aug 19 Jul 30 May 23 Apr 16 2013 2012 2011 2010 2010 2012 2009 Favorable 41 44 41 35 35 44 10 Unfavorable 34 24 17 28 24 24 11 Hvn't hrd enough 24 31 41 34 38 31 78 REFUSED 1 1 2 2 3 1 2

14. Is your opinion of Hillary Clinton favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about her?

Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Favorable 62% 26% 93% 57% 56% 66% 57% 88% 68% Unfavorable 33 68 5 35 37 29 39 7 25 Hvn't hrd enough 4 3 2 4 5 2 3 5 6 REFUSED 2 2 - 3 1 2 2 - 1

TREND: Is your opinion of Hillary Clinton favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about her? (*Low also 44% Jun 2007)

FAVORABLE...... High Low Mar 21 May 22 May 1 Apr 2 Dec 5 Mar 21 Apr 2 2013 2008 2008 2008 2007 2013 2008* Favorable 62 48 49 44 52 62 44 Unfavorable 33 43 40 45 41 33 45 Hvn't hrd enough 4 5 7 8 5 4 8 REFUSED 2 4 4 4 3 2 4

Seriously? There are people who haven't heard enough about her?

Bill and Hillary Clinton and the Battle in the Kentucky Hills

Headlines this past week have included the CPAC clown car and the RNC election post-mortem on the Republican side, neither of which MSNBC appears able to stop trumpeting.  On the Democratic side,  Hillary Clinton's endorsement of marriage equality,  which ruffled some Fox News feathers, and Barack Obama's trip to Israel soaked up most of the airtime.

While MSNBC gleefully pursues the rifts that have continued to rock the Republican Party, a brief report, overshadowed by Obama's day in Jerusalem, shined some light, however briefly today,  on a battle in the Democratic Party that is being fought in the hills of Kentucky.

If you had the impression that 2008 was a mere memory, that Hillary Clinton's four years of service in the Obama administration and Bill Clinton's work for the Obama campaign indicated that all wounds were healed and that the Obamas and Clintons ended their only private meal together singing Kumbaya,  think again.  There is a power struggle going in behind the scenes.  Politico broke this little gem today to almost no fanfare.

In Kentucky, prominent Democrats wooing Alison Lundergan Grimes, not Ashley Judd

By MANU RAJU | 3/19/13 5:14 PM EDT

Democratic heavy hitters — including Bill Clinton — are quietly trying to woo a new candidate to jump into the race to unseat Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, even as actress Ashley Judd is taking steps toward launching a star-studded campaign of her own.

With fears growing in some Democratic quarters over Judd’s potential candidacy, some prominent Democrats in the Bluegrass State are beginning to set their sights on 34-year-old Alison Lundergan Grimes, the Kentucky secretary of state. Among Grimes’s attributes: She lacks political baggage since she’s served barely a year in office, and she hails from a well-connected family influential in Kentucky Democratic politics. But it’s not at all certain if she’ll jump into the race.

Grimes does have the Clintons in her corner. Earlier this month, the former president — a longtime friend of Grimes’s father — privately urged the young secretary of state to mount a Senate bid while assuring Grimes that both he and his wife, Hillary, would get behind her should she decide to take on the powerful Senate GOP leader, according to several sources familiar with the matter.

Read more >>>>

According to this article,  the biggest Kentucky-based cheerleader behind a Judd run is John Yarmuth.   Whom did Judd support back in 2008 and where did Yarmuth stand?  You have to wonder.  According to Wikipedia, Judd supported Obama.   What of Yarmuth?

Yarmuth Announces Obama Kentucky Leadership

May 7th, 2008

... Yarmuth said he doesn’t think Obama should concede Kentucky (even though he’ll likely lose the state) to Clinton but he thinks Clinton should drop out of the race on May 21.

Yep! He was one of those.  He was calling for her to withdraw in the face of a likely win.  Here is how much Obama cared about the Kentucky race.  From the same article.

Oh, and Obama’s camp says he won’t be in Kentucky this Friday due to scheduling conflicts.

So, as I said a few weeks ago, Democrats, Let Hillary Clinton Nap And Get Focused On 2014 (She Will Be When She Gets Some Sleep).   I took some flak for that one.  but there had already been indications that aside from the book she is writing she had plans to campaign in 2014.   Now we are beginning to get an idea of where and for whom.   We know a Clinton-backed candidate can knock it out of the park and unseat McConnell in Kentucky.

You can make this about 2016 if you want to, certainly there are cases to be made.  But if you look at the facts, just the facts, it is about getting a major obstructionist out of the Senate.  As to who might next be in front of the Clinton bats,  I suggest Ted Cruz and  Harry Reid. 

Clinton, Feinstein and standing up to bullies

Posted by Mary C. Curtis on March 20, 2013 at 8:35 am

If you said Hillary Rodham Clinton owes the start of her independent political career to Rick Lazio, even Lazio might agree. The tipping point for the 2000 race for the U.S. Senate from New York between a former first lady and a U.S. Congressman? When Lazio, the Republican nominee, crossed over to Clinton’s side of the stage in a pre-election debate and demanded she sign a piece of paper. Few remember what was on that page, a pledge against using soft money in the campaign. They do remember the moment. Women – and to be fair, a lot of men – cringed, recalling similar encounters they might have had with a guy who stepped over the line. The rest is history, and it belongs to Clinton.

I thought of that image watching the back-and-forth between Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Ted Cruz (R-Texas) in the gun legislation debate last week. Cruz’s question on the constitutionality of a ban on assault weapons, using the example of limits on the First Amendment, had merit. But it was the tone of condescension in Cruz’s voice and the smirk on his face that stuck.

“I’m not a sixth grader, Senator. I’ve been on this committee for 20 years,” Feinstein said. She has history, not only in the Senate but on the front lines of gun violence. Though her presence on the scene when San Francisco Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk were murdered in 1978 doesn’t automatically give her the upper hand in a disagreement on gun rights, it does earn her some respect. Cruz missed that. And while his Senate seat looks to be safe in Texas, his national ambitions definitely took a hit. Who wants a president who reminds them of that dude who treated you like an idiot?

Read more >>>>

Dianne intends to fight on for an assault weapons ban.  Harry Reid may collapse rather than do battle, but not Dianne.  He should be replaced.  She should be majority leader.  Fight on, Dianne.  Let's see if the Clintons know a good primary opponent for Reid in Nevada as well as a replacement for Cruz.  

Emily's List's Thank You Note to Hillary

Emily's List has initiated a campaign to thank our Hillary for her Human Rights Campaign video endorsing marriage equality.  Perhaps you would like to sign.  See below.



You can sign Emily's List's thank you note to Hillary here.

On Monday, Hillary Clinton announced her support for marriage equality for lesbian and gay couples everywhere. As a former first lady, Senator, and Secretary of State, Hillary’s voice is a powerful one, and we thank her for her courage and leadership in standing behind same sex couples and their families.
Join us in saying “thank you” to Hillary Clinton for making her voice heard: Sign our letter today!

Join the Human Rights Campaign in Thanking Hillary Clinton

For her marriage equality video,  the Human Rights Campaign has posted a thank you note to Hillary.  Click here to sign.

Hillary Clinton in Support of Gay Marriage

The Human Rights Campaign has released a video by Hillary Clinton in support of marriage equality. In part, the HRC states:

We are honored to have Secretary Clinton’s moving statement as part of our Americans for Marriage Equality series.  Now that she has left office and can speak publicly about the issue that is so important to all of us, Hillary shares her experience as Secretary and what she learned while representing our country around the world, and what she has come to believe.

A little over a year ago in Geneva. I told the nations of the world that gay rights are human rights and human rights are gay rights. And that the United States would be a leader in defending those rights.
Now there were some countries that did not want to hear that. But I believe America is at its best when -- -- the freedom and dignity of every human being. That's who we are it's in our DNA.
And as secretary of state. I had the privilege to represent. That America.
I will never forget the young Tunisian who asked me after the revolution in his country. How America could teach his new democracy. To protect the rights of its LG BT citizens.
He saw America. As an example for the world and as a beacon of hope. That's what was in my mind as I engaged in some pretty tough conversations with foreign leaders.
Who did not accept that human rights apply to everyone. Gay and straight. When I directed our diplomats around the world.
To combat -- -- -- laws and reach out to the brave activists fighting on the front lines. And when I changed State Department policy to ensure that our LG BT families are treated more fairly. Traveling the world these past four years reaffirmed and -- my pride in our country in the ideals we stand for.
It also inspired and challenged to me. To -- -- -- about who we are in the values we represented the world. Now having left public office I want to share some of what I've learned.
And what I've come to believe. For America to continue leading in the world there is work we must do here at home. That means investing in our people our economy our national security.
It also means working every day as citizens. As communities as -- country. To live up to our highest ideals and continue.
Our long march to a more perfect union. LG BT Americans. Our our colleagues.
Our teachers our soldiers our friends. Our -- ones. And they are full and equal citizens and deserve the rights of citizenship.
That includes marriage. That's why I support marriage for lesbian and gay couples. I supported personally and as a matter of policy and law.
Imbedded in a broader effort to advance equality and opportunity for LG BT Americans and all Americans. Like so many others my personal views have been shaped over time by people I have known and loved. By my experience representing our nation on the world stage.
My devotion to law and human rights and the guiding principles of my faith. Marriage after all is a fundamental. Building block of our society.
A great joy and yes a great responsibility. A few years ago bill and I celebrated as our own daughter married the love of her life and I wish every parent that same joy. To deny the opportunity to any of our daughters and sons solely on the basis of who they are and who they love.
Is to deny them the chance. To live up to their own god given potential. Throughout our history as our nation has become even more dedicated.
To the protection of liberty and justice for all. More open to the contributions of all our citizens. It has also become stronger.
More competitive. More ready for the future. It benefits every American.
When we continue on that path. I know that many in our country still struggle to reconcile. The teachings of their religion the poll of their conscience.
The personal experiences they have in their families and communities. And people of goodwill and good faith will continue to view this issue differently. So I hope that as we discuss and debate whether it's around -- kitchen table or in the public square.
We do so in a spirit respect. And understanding. Conversations with our friends our families our congregations.
Our coworkers. Are opportunities to share our own reflections. And to invite others to share there's.
They give us a chance to find that common ground. And a path forward. For those of us who lived through the long years of the civil rights and women's rights movements.
The speed with which more and more people have come to embrace the dignity and equality. -- LG BT Americans has banned breath taking. And inspiring.
We see -- all around us every day in major cultural statements. And in quiet family moments. But the journey is far from over and therefore we must keep working to make our country freer and -- And to continue to inspire the -- the world puts in -- leadership. In doing so we will keep moving closer and closer to that more perfect union promised to us all. Thank you.

The transcript comes compliments of ABC News to which the web administration at HRC kindly pointed us

The Human Rights Day speech of December 6, 2011 to which she refers can be viewed and read here:   Video: Secretary Clinton’s Human Rights Day Speech, December 6, 2011

Down Memory Lane with Hillary Clinton: Happy St. Patrick's Day!

In June 2009, Hillary Clinton, rushing to a meeting at the White House with Richard Holbrooke, slipped on the wet, oily floor of the State Department garage and fractured her elbow.  Concerned, Holbrooke wanted to stay with her, but she told him to proceed to the White House meeting without her.  "That's an order,"  she said. 

She was brought to the hospital where surgery was performed.  Pins and a rod were inserted,  and she worked from home for a few days.  When she returned to the office we saw glimpses of her wearing what we called the "Sling of State."  On June 29 she returned to the press room for the first time since the accident. 

Her first official appearance and first official act upon her return was, on July 1, 2009, the swearing in of Daniel Rooney as Ambassador to Ireland.

Three-and-a-half years down the road, at the conclusion of her final trip as Secretary of State,  Hillary fell ill  - her last stops were Ireland and Northern Ireland.  Here she is with Taoiseach Enda Kenny who was in New York for the parade today.

Here she is with First Minister of Northern Ireland, Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, Martin McGuinness.

Following  this trip, she was scheduled to visit Morocco and the Middle East, but her illness and resultant fall and concussion cancelled those plans.  She spent the rest of December 2012 recovering.   She returned to D.C. on January 7, 2013 to a huge welcome and was presented with the "Helment of State" to protect her delicate head.

Her first official public event upon her return this time was to thank retiring Ambassador ro Ireland, Dan Rooney and his wife Patricia for their service.  She awarded them the flag that had flown over Embassy Dublin during his tenure and the Chief of Mission flag.  Here is  an excerpt of what she said.

So you and Patricia have done a fabulous job and I am so pleased to have this chance formally to present you two flags – the Chief of Mission flag, and the flag of the United States, as a small token of your very successful tenure in Ireland.
There you go. (Applause.) And Patricia, this one’s for you. You also served.

The love affair between Bill and Hillary Clinton and Ireland did not begin with her service at the State Department and is certain not to end there.  They are both loved on the Emerald Isle.  Both of them are sure to return many times over.

We wish them and all of our readers a Happy and Blessed St. Patrick's Day.  Our Irish eyes are smiling for all the good they have done.  We wish Ambassador and Mrs. Rooney and their considerable family the same. 

News Flash: Just Sayin'

This tweet just came through.

UN Women
#UNSG praises "visionary" leadership of Michelle #Bachelet, following her announcement of departure from UN_Women http://owl.li/j1wlQ

Full statement.

Secretary-General Praises ‘Visionary’ Leadership of Michelle Bachelet,

Following Announcement by UN-Women Chief of Departure

Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon’s statement on the announcement by Michelle Bachelet of her departure as Executive Director of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN-Women):
Ms. Michelle Bachelet has informed me of her intention to step down as Executive Director of UN-Women.  I would like to express my tremendous gratitude for her outstanding service.
Michelle Bachelet was the right person in the right job at the right time.  Her visionary leadership gave UN-Women the dynamic start it needed.  Her fearlessness in advocating for women’s rights raised the global profile of this key issue.  Her drive and compassion enabled her to mobilize and make a difference for millions of people across the world.
Her record of achievement includes new steps to protect women and girls from violence, new advances on health, and a new understanding that women's empowerment must be at the core of all we do at the United Nations.  This is a stellar legacy, and I am determined to build on it.
I thank Ms. Bachelet for her contributions and wish her every success as she embarks on the next chapter in her extraordinary life.  She will always have a home at the United Nations, and I am confident that she will continue to advance our shared goals for a better future.

Just wondering who out there might be qualified to replace her.  Someone who right now has no official position to prevent her from accepting.  Many saw a certain person we know pretty well taking a position like this at some point.  Someone Michelle knows and respects.  Someone who lives in NY and for whom Michelle might have been willing to place-hold for awhile  ...  until she was available.  Someone married to another UN employee.  I don't know!  Can you think of anyone?  Anyone?  Anyone?

Hillary Clinton in Hiding: Still the Golden Girl

Yesterday, Paul Begala stepped into the lion cage at the circus called CPAC facing off with ring-leader and noted Hillary-hater Tucker Carlson.  Responding to a question just about everyone who has ever met Hillary is asked lately (you know the question) Begala was speculating as to some activities she might be enjoying at the moment when an audience member offered that she might be getting a facelift.  Begala had a quick response.

"No, not get a facelift.  She's not a Republican society lady, she's a real woman."

His reply ruffled a few sisterly feathers, but I am willing to cut him some slack. She is real, and beautiful, and no surgical tools need be anywhere near that face.  Paul, after all, was in the lion cage.  Of course he brought his pistol with him.  The retort was reflexive and effective.   It was a product of  physical context.  Better  that he responded quickly and nipped it in the bud than had he sat there contemplating an answer that would have pleased everybody.  You can never please everyone. 

Today it was Mitch McConnell's turn at the CPAC mike.  Here was his witty contribution to the kill Hill sarcasm sweepstakes.

"Don't tell me Democrats are the party of the future when their presidential ticket looks like a rerun of the Golden Girls....  They got Hillary and Joe Biden."

Just wondering - is Joe Dorothy? Is Hillary Blanche?  Not to belabor a point,  Mitch, but she has not said she is on any ticket.  One thing we do know is that she is golden, and their smart-mouth attempts at comedy, rather than tarnishing her image, keep her in the headers even while she hides out behind her keyboard turning out her next book. 

Happy "Inside Chappaqua Day!" Grace Bennett's Magazine Fêted for 10 Successful Years and Hillary Clinton Chimes In

Ten years ago, a brilliant and savvy young woman began a local magazine to cover events and promote businesses in the New Castle, NY area.  Grace Bennett's Inside Chappaqua Magazine gained a following, succeeded immensely, and last night Grace celebrated that success with a grand soiree shared by family, friends, and business associates.

In the course of the evening, County Legislator Mike Kaplowitz presented Grace with a proclamation that today, March 15, is "Inside Chappaqua Day" in Westchester County.   She looked like a movie star receiving the document!

Of course readers here know that Chappaqua is where Bill and Hillary Clinton live.  Grace was able to accompany Hillary on her final official trip to Africa as Secretary of State last summer, and Hillary acknowledged Grace's accomplishment.




So we congratulate Grace on the 10th anniversary of Inside Chappaqua Magazine and on the special day of county-wide celebration.

Bill and Hillary Clinton Out on the Town to See "Ann"

Holland Taylor opened her new Broadway production "Ann," based on the late Governor Ann Richards of Texas, on March 7 at the Vivian Beaumont Theatre.  

Taylor authored the show herself, and on March 12 a host of political and entertainment power players showed up including President Clinton and Secretary Clinton, seen here with other folks you will recognize immediately, including, in addition to Taylor herself,  Meryl Streep, Gabby Giffords and her husband Mark Kelly.  The tall fellow to Kelly's right, is Meryl's husband, Don Gummer.

Ann Hathaway showed up to cheer on her mom, Kate, who produced the show. 

Ann producer Kate McCauley Hathaway and her Oscar-winning daughter Anne Hathaway flash winning smiles.

Why Bindi Irwin Did Not Go Wild For Hillary Clinton

When you read this story that popped up today, Bindi Irwin, Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin’s Daughter, Takes On Hillary Clinton Over Controversial Essay By iScienceTimes Staff | March 12, 2013 3:12 PM EDT,  you get the impression that early in her retirement Hillary Clinton has decided to launch an eJournal based on an initiative begun at the State Department.  The faulty passage is here.

Bindi was asked by the U.S. State Department to contribute a short essay on conservation for Hillary Clinton's upcoming e-journal titled "Go Wild Coming Together for Conservation" as part of the former Secretary of State's endangered species initiative.

The concept of Go Wild as a private initiative on Hillary's part is reinforced here.

Bindi wrote to Hillary Clinton's organization and said 'what happened to freedom of speech?'

Hillary watchers can be forgiven for shaking their heads and asking,  "Organization?  She has an organization?  It has a wildlife eJournal?"

Well, she does have that virtual office we all know about, but this whole Bindi story sits firmly rooted in the past when Hillary was Secretary of State, and Go Wild is now under the auspices of the Kerry State Department,  the misleading lexical selections by the iScience writers being the culprit behind misinterpretations.  So no, she does not have an organization or an eJournal, and you missed nothing, but Bindi Irwin did.

We do not know whether this particular child celebrity attends a regular school, is home-schooled,  or has tutors.  Fourteen-year-olds changing topics on school assignments are nothing new and usually have little to do with freedom of speech and more to do with preference or adolescent rebellion.   Teachers are accustomed to it and grade accordingly or return the opus requesting a rewrite on the topic assigned.  Terri Irwin's position in favor of her daughter's decision to change the subject can be seen as parental defensiveness, but the fact remains that Bindi did go off-topic.

The State Department runs essay, Twitter, and video contests often and assigns topics.  Those who remain on-topic have a better chance of winning than those who do not.  It should not come as a surprise that the department edited the essay to reflect the assigned topic.

As far as we know, Bindi is an ordinary eighth-grader in an extraordinary situation because of her father's exploits including this one involving her younger brother  (one way to curtail excess population growth - yes, my tongue is in my cheek).

So the teacher returned the essay with red penciled excisions all over it?  Join the crowd, Bindi.  It has happened to the best of writers as well as the worst.  It has even happened to people in graduate school and those with advanced degrees.  It has nothing to do with freedom of speech and everything to do with discipline and respect for the assignment  - one you could easily have rejected with your busy celebrity schedule.  Long story short, it is all part of growing up for normal kids who do not have a movie coming out and are not seeking publicity.  They usually sit down and do the rewrite or accept the C.

Of course it was not Hillary Clinton herself who read and edited the essay, and she might well agree with your stand on burgeoning population growth, but that remains a different essay,  not the one requested.  Although this statement was made in an entirely different context (in the wake of a North Korean nuclear test in 2009) it is a fitting one to recall here.

"And maybe it's the mother in me or the experience that I've had with small children and unruly teenagers and people who are demanding attention -- don't give it to them, they don't deserve it, they are acting out."

Key word here: “unruly.”