Youth Radio - Topic: Hillary Clinton

Clinton Is The Boss

lsykes — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 13:21:49 -0500

While meeting with Congolese university students during a trip to Kinshasa, Congo in Africa, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had to a point to make. “My husband is not the secretary of state”! What appeared to have been a minor mistake between a French speaking student and their translator became a bigger issue during this visit.
The student through a translator was asking what President Obama’s view was on Chinese contracts in the country. The translator asked what former President, and now simply private citizen, Mr. Clinton felt about the issues. Man oh man!!! The secretary took this to heart and let out a snarling yell: “Wait! You want me to tell you what my husband thinks? My husband is not Secretary of State, I am…so you ask my opinion I will tell you my opinion, I’m not going to be channeling my husband!”
Clinton has worked hard to get out of her husbands shadow. But Mr. Clinton’s recent act of daring do- the surprise mission to free the two American journalists held by North Korea- have made his shadow all the harder to escape. The secretary of State has to keep her head high and continue making sure our foreign relations are good. Here’s a friendly word of advice, if someone asks you a question that you don’t truly agree with, breaaathe, smile and then answer. Don’t scare the people off!

[Want to ask Secretary Clinton a question about her trip to Africa? Send the State Department a TXT!. In the U.S. text to: 90822. Outside the U.S.: 202-255-6299.]

Previously:

Obama’s Cabinet Choices

miguel — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 16:30:22 -0600

The roster of crewmembers aboard the S.S. Obama is moving full steam ahead as we wait for the Senate’s approval of that motley bunch. The list, which mentions Hillary Clinton among others, has a highly assorted group of individuals that the nomination committee felt had the juice to take this country in a new direction. I must say that I am glad that President-Elect Obama has not judged his nominees based on whether they were strictly Democrat or had worked in office with other Democrats. I can’t wait to see some of the plans for the country that Obama and the future members of the cabinet will unveil for the next four years.With that, I have a few thoughts that have been lingering on my mind since the announcement of selections for each title has been revealed.

On Obama and Clinton’s Possible Reunion, the Clintons’ History, and the U.S.

I find it quite interesting that a lot of people are harping on the inclusion of Hillary Clinton into the cabinet mix. News reports have been referencing the fact that bringing in Hillary means bringing in Bill as well, otherwise known as the “two for the price of one” club. A lot of people are acting touchy about the idea of the Clintons, as well as their former White House circle, contending for reentry into the White House. When I reflect on the history of Bill Clinton and his officials, the United States was in financial stability. I’m not sure if people can recall what the meaning of a ‘monetary surplus’ is, but that’s what the U.S. had when George Bush took over. Since then, we have been in trillions of dollars of the more common “deficit,” and it has left a number of people I know - myself included - longing for the days when things were a little more stable and relations between countries were improved.

If it were at all possible - although after FDR’s 12-year term a limit was placed on the length of time a President could hold his office for, I would love to have Bill Clinton run this country again. Forget all the crazy stuff he did - I’m sure he certainly could help lead President Obama in the right direction towards the long overdue repair this country needs. What is obvious to me is that both President-Elect Obama and Senator Clinton have deep affections for this country; the fact that they publicly duked it out on the campaign trail for the chance to run this country solidifies that fact. In this life, you have to fight hard for what you believe in; both Clinton and Obama believe in this country’s future potential! If Clinton is the final selection for Secretary of State, then great! She’s got experience; she’s been there, done that, and experience is very important because the United States is in a very bad spot with failing global relations and a failing economy. Let’s cross out fingers and hope for the best in that regard.

On The Small Number Of Women Being Nominated

While I am a woman and all about more women having the ability to take larger roles running this country, I am finding myself torn with the idea of having to be satisfied that so few women have been given leadership roles in the Obama administration’s plan to revitalize the country. It’s like being made to vote on a new ballot that says “More women or the country’s possible recovery-Pick one!” I hate the idea of being forced to reconcile either of those choices. We need women in our government, and we need this country to pull itself up by its bootstraps and get back to business! One day, I hope that both the inclusion of more female voices in government and a strong, working government will have that common ground.

Obama’s Reaching Out For Help

I am certainly glad to see Obama has been asking for help from more than just one side of the political spectrum. On the night he accepted his title as President-Elect, he told his detractors, “I will be your President too” The man really is trying to make sure that nobody is left out, so why he has been given so much hassle is absurd. For goodness sake, he can’t even begin to run this country until January! With the comments of others accusing him of not being “qualified” for the job, it’s disheartening that some people out there aren’t even waiting to see if he is truly able to lead this country.

Considering the names of the people I am aware of, I do think he and his committee have certainly made good choices and are making a strong effort to select the right people for the job. It seems he certainly is aware of what kind of daunting tasks lay before him as the new President, the first biracial (Black and White) President, and as the first President to enter the White House after the start of the “War On Terror.” He did warn that no one should get their hopes too high, as the problems we currently are experiencing can’t be immediately remedied. Given the U.S.’s need for instant gratification, I hope that everyone can sit down and think out clearly how to move out of this recession with precision. I’m thinking about that saying “slow and steady wins the race.” That thought could not be more accurate in today’s society.

I am certainly no political know-it-all, and I definitely don’t claim to be one. What I am is an American citizen who only wants for my country, our country, to repair itself. My relief comes from the fact that there are some people out there who may not make the problems disappear immediately, but they want to try. One can only guess as to what our future holds, but at least it appears that we have people who are anxious to bring us a much needed, brighter future.

Obama Finally Picks Hillary

denise — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 13:50:54 -0600

Finally, Obama elects Hillary Clinton as secretary of State. After weeks of wondering, it is now official that both Obama and Hillary are joining forces to improve the United States. But if you ask me, I saw it coming.

For starters, Hillary supporters were upset with Obama’s victory over Hillary. Secondly, picking Biden over Hillary for vice president made them more upset. Luckily people were so eager to substitute Bush with a Democratic runner which made it easier for Obama to get to the White House. Picking Hillary as secretary of State was simply his way to make it up to Hillary supporters.

Of course my opinion differs from others, but one thing is consistent, both of them are working to re-build America. January is around the corner and I know people are anxiously waiting to see our new government in action.

The Washington Post has more on this story.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton?

kara — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 23:53:05 -0600

So a couple of Obama aides have told the press that former rival Hillary Clinton is being considered for Secretary of State, which president-elect Barack Obama did not want to be leaked out this early. If you would look back at the primaries, it would be a bit ironic to consider Senator Clinton as Obama's secretary of state, let alone any cabinet post, since he pressed hard on the fact that she was one of the Beltway insiders and that she represents politics as usual.

Obama harps on the idea of himself being the embodiment of change, and representing a new generation of politics, but he is thinking about having a veteran join his administration, a veteran who he called the "same ol', same ol'" while running against her in the 2008 primary process, wouldn't that just contradict his movement of innovation in Washington?

I would at least expect him to select someone who is an unknown but is still able to be a strong asset to his administration.