Hillary Clinton, my first choice for President and candidate for Secretary of State, sat before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for a question and answer hearing today. She was strong, intelligent, confident, respectful, forthright, empathetic and tough. Most believe she will be confirmed Secretary of State this week.Hillary opened by saying “I am proud to be an American at the dawning of this new American moment.” She said she will help restore confidence in America with a "smart power," a combination of diplomacy and defense.
"America must build a world with more partners and fewer adversaries. We cannot solve the most pressing problems on our own, and the world cannot solve them without America," she said. "I believe American leadership has been wanting, but is still wanted."
During the hearing, Hillary spoke at length about:
During the hearing, Hillary spoke at length about:
. Preventing Iran from building nuclear weapons, and not taking any options off the table in dealing with Iran.
. Ending North Korea's nuclear program,
. "Sounding the alarm" about Darfur, Sudan
. Special concerns for the rights of young women and girls around the world and stopping violence/atrocities against women. Hillary said about these atrocities, "“This is not culture, this is not custom, this is criminal."
. Extend the strategic arms reduction agreement with Russia.
. Work more closely with Canada, our largest trading partner, and Mexico, our third largest. Canada and Mexico are also our biggest suppliers of imported energy. More broadly, we must build a deeper partnership with Mexico to address the shared danger arising from drug-trafficking and the challenges of our border, an effort begun this week with a meeting between President-elect Obama and President Calderon.
. Regarding the conflict in the Middle East, Hillary said the situation in Gaza had left Americans "pained by the suffering of Palestinian and Israeli civilians." Some pundits are saying this is a clear sign by the new Administration that Israel will no longer have a free hand and instead, diplomacy will prevail.
. Improve relationship with China
. Questions were asked about disclosure of donations to the Clinton Foundation/library, requesting more transparency. The Clintons have forged an agreement that will allow for more public disclosure of donations and overseas work. This agreement sets a presidence, since no other president has ever been so open in disclosing their contributors. Of course the RNC sent philanderer/corrupt lame duck David Vitter to push to re-open the agreement with quarterly detailed reporting, all of which seemed ridiculous. It is no wonder they sent the likes of Vitter to do this scapegoating. He looked embarrassed and his performance was laughable.
As the Hearing continues, I will update this blog as appropriate.
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