Recently in Hillary Rodham Clinton Category

From Kenyan NTV

WASHINGTON--Former President Clinton and U.S. journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee--who work for former Vice President Gore's Current TV--arrived back in the U.S. from North Korea to a joyful homecoming. John Podesta--the last Clinton-Gore White House chief of staff--played a role as did, of course Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, who sanctioned her husband's "unofficial" mission.

The two were sentenced to 12 years of hard labor by the North Koreans. President Clinton traveled to North Korea on a trip that was billed as a private humanitarian attempt to seek their release. A senior Obama administration official said Clinton offered no apology towards the North Koreans as a condition of the release--contradicting what North Korean state-run media was reporting.

Mrs. Clinton, in an interview with NBC's Andrea Mitchell said her husband "was so relieved and so happy to be bringing these young women home. I think it's, in a way, even more personal since we have a daughter approximately the same age. And he told me it was, you know, a very moving experience. He can't wait to get them reunited with their families."

But Mrs. Clinton warned not to take this as a diplomatic breakthrough.

"So on the basis of the humanitarian mission, we feel very good. But I want to be sure people don't confuse what Bill did, which was a private humanitarian mission to bring these young women home, with our policy, which continues to be one that gives choices to North Korea. They can continue on the path they are on, or perhaps they will now be willing to start talking to us within the context of the six-party talks about the international desire to see them denuclearized."

At their arrival in Burbank, Calif., Ling on Wednesday described their dramatic last minutes as prisoners.

"Thirty hours ago, Euna Lee and I were prisoners in North Korea. We feared that at any moment, we could be sent to a hard-labor camp. And then suddenly we were told that we were going to a meeting.

"We were taken to a location. And when we walked in through the doors, we saw, standing before us, President Bill Clinton. We were shocked. But we knew instantly in our hearts that the nightmare of our lives was finally coming to an end. And now we stand here, home and free.

"Euna and I would just like to express our deepest gratitude to President Clinton and his wonderful, amazing -- not to mention super- cool -- team, including John Podesta, Doug Band, Justin Cooper, Dr. Roger Band, David Straub -- and the United States Secret Service, who traveled halfway around the world and then some to secure our release.

Gore said, "We want to thank President Bill Clinton for undertaking this mission and performing it so skillfully, and all the members of his team who played key roles in this.

(AP)
First Lady Michelle Obama and Secretary of State and former First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton Wednesday at the State Department

WASHINGTON--As part of the deal appointing Hillary Rodham Clinton as Secretary of State, Bill Clinton promised to release the names of donors to the Clinton Foundation. Near the top of the 2,922-page contributor's list is Chicagoan publishing mogul and Democratic activist Fred Eychaner, who gave somewhere between $10 million and $25 million. I know that's a big swing; the range, not the specific amount is what is disclosed.

Amy Poehler in NBC's "Saturday Night Live" skit about Hillary Rodham Clinton as Barack Obama's Secretary of State

WASHINGTON--President-elect Barack Obama will name New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson Commerce Secretary at a press conference in Chicago on Wednesday, a source has confirmed to the Sun-Times.

Former President Bill Clinton appointed Richardson, a former congressman, United Nations Ambassador and Energy Secretary. Richardson ran for president and dropped out of the 2008 contest after a poor performance in the Democratic primaries. He eventually endorsed Obama over Hillary Rodham Clinton--to the disappointment of the Clinton team, who thought, collectively, that Richardson owed the Clintons enough that he should have stayed neutral. Now Clinton, Obama's Secretary of State nominee and Richardson will serve in the same Obama cabinet.

WASHINGTON -- Barack Obama wanted to brush it off, the question about how he came to eat all the harsh words he said against Hillary Rodham Clinton during the heated Democratic primary.

It was not too long ago that Obama was highly critical of Clinton, so naturally he was queried about this turnaround at his press conference in Chicago where he announced Cabinet picks.

Peter Baker of the New York Times was polite when he asked about Obama's reversal on Clinton.

"You belittled her travels around the world, equating it to having teas with foreign leaders, and your new White House counsel [Greg Craig] said her resume was grossly exaggerated when it came to foreign policy. I'm wondering if you could talk about the evolution of your views of her credentials since the spring."

Obama in reply, belittled a serious question.

Secretary of State designate Hillary Rodham Clinton, tapped Monday by President-elect Barack Obama, had two Maine South High School pals at the press conference at the Hilton Hotel and Towers on South Michigan Avenue: Kevin O'Keefe and Betsy Ebeling.

In a few minutes in Chicago, President-elect Barack Obama will make it official and name his national security team, with the highlight former rival Hillary Rodham Clinton adding Madam Secretary to her titles when she takes over the State Department.

The appointments:
Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates to remain as Secretary of Defense.
Eric Holder as Attorney General.
Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.
Susan Rice as Ambassador to the United Nations.
General Jim Jones, USMC (Ret) as National Security Adviser.

click below for bios, release

WASHINGTON -- President-elect Barack Obama dramatically starts to define his presidency with the selection today of his former rival Sen. Hillary Clinton to be his secretary of state.

As Chicagoans may know of the great architect who influenced the planning of their city, it was Daniel Burnham who said, "Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men's blood." For Obama to be the fifth face on Mt. Rushmore or to have a monument built on the National Mall dedicated to him, his presidency has to be more than just the historic election of the first African American to the White House. Moreover, the times we are living in -- the collapse of the economy, two wars, the ongoing terrorist threats underscored by the attacks in India -- demand an ambitious Obama agenda.

Obama will unveil Clinton and the rest of his national security team at a press conference in Chicago this morning, with the Clinton appointment -- no surprise -- getting much of the attention. Let's be clear, Obama is not picking Clinton to sideline a onetime rival; that's just ridiculous. With his sweeping victory, Obama is too confident for that.

What Obama -- always with an eye toward "the story" and the narrative -- is doing when he picks Clinton is continuing the "only in America" storyline that hopefully will improve the U.S. international image: The superstar pick brings into his administration his superstar rival. Where else in the world does that happen? Nowhere.

WASHINGTON--President-elect Barack Obama unveils his national security team Monday morning at a press conference--his fifth since his election--in Chicago, with the highlight expected to be the appointment of former rival Hillary Rodham Clinton as Secretary of State.

Near midnight eastern time, Thursday, Oct. 29, 2008. Kissimmee, Fl. Bill Clinton introduces Barack Obama at a late night rally. (photo by Lynn Sweet)

WASHINGTON--Happy birthday Sunday to Hillary Diane Rodham Clinton, born at Chicago's Edgewater Hospital on October 26, 1947.

Clinton will spend part of her 61st birthday in Chicago, keynoting an AIPAC conference (the American Israel Public Affairs Committee) and stopping at the Standard Club for an Obama Victory Fund brunch with a price tag from $1,000 to $5,000. The expected $250,000 haul is expected to yield some debt reduction for Clinton. Clinton's allies hope President Obama at some point makes some time to do some serious Clinton fund-raising to help erase her debt. Clinton's team, keeping count, has raised more than $8 million for Obama's general election campaign.

WASHINGTON--I just listened to a message left by one of the regular commentators on my Sweet blog. John wanted to know if there was a chance of us all getting together in person to have the lively conversations we have in print.

Well, I'm game for trying if folks really want to meet up.

I'll be in Chicago for the Nov. 4 election night events and around for the next few days. I could arrange for us to meet someplace--maybe order some pizza and hang out in a Sun-Times conference room. Anyone out there interested in sometime between Nov. 5 and Nov. 7?

To: the Sweet blog community

From: Lynn

Hi all...please note new features on the blog.....find widgets on the right side... and look at the top of the blog to see where you can sign up for e-mail alerts...that plus as many blog posts as I can manage....and the always useful "Sweet Links."

WASHINGTON--Hillary Rodham Clinton and Bill Clinton knocked themselves out for the Obama Biden ticket Sunday, campaigning with Joe and Jill Biden in Scranton, Pa. And the Clinton political operation--wants to make sure the record shows that Bill and Hill are doing heavy lifting. That's a reason the Clinton team sent out a transcript of Bill and Hill remarks from the Sunday rally (click below for transcript.). Hillary Clinton has already raised, she said, some $10 million for the Obama Biden ticket--that's counting checks written associated with events she has headlined.

excerpt from Bill Clinton: But I just want to tell you something - I have been working in national presidential campaigns in some form or fashion since 1968. She has done 50 events for Senator Obama. She has not only done more to support him than any runner-up in the Democratic primary process in my lifetime, she has done more than all the other runner-ups combined. That says a lot about why she ran for President and what she believes in.

Hillary Rodham Clinton is keeping close count on how much money she is raising for Barack Obama. To date, Clinton has headlined some 50 events for Obama and raised $10 millon for his presidential warchest.

She wants the record to be clear that she is coming through for him--using her network of supporters to help bankroll the presidential bid of her former rival. One reason that Clinton wants the figure out there is to keep the Obama team on notice that fund-raising can be a two way street and that the Obama donors have yet to step up with vigor to help her erase her primary debt.

Clinton made much that her father was from Scranton and she summered in the area when she stumped in Pennsylvania during the primary--a state she won. Clinton hits the road in Pennsylvania for two days starting Sunday in Scranton, where Joe Biden was raised.

Hillary and President Clinton join Biden and wife Jill in Scranton on Sunday.

WASHINGTON--Sarah Palin, stumped when asked about what she reads by Katie Couric, told FOX News Carl Cameron on Friday--the day after the vice presidential debate with Joe Biden her reading includes "The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal and The Economist."

click below for transcript

WASHINGTON--Hillary Rodham Clinton in the Thursday Wall Street Journal calls for a moratorium on mortgage foreclosures as part of any bailout package approved by Congress.

"We should also put in place a temporary moratorium on foreclosures and freeze rate hikes in adjustable-rate mortgages. We've got to stem the tide of failing mortgages and give the markets time to recover," Clinton said.

In the Thursday Washington Times, a look at McCain's congressional fund-raisers who are also requesting the earmarks McCain deplores.

WASHINGTON--Less than an hour before President Bush addresses the nation over the economic crisis, at 9 p.m. eastern time, the president called Barack Obama to ask him to attend a meeting here on Thursday. Obama, in debate preparations in Florida, agreed. This comes as John McCain said he suspended his campaign--including Friday's debate--until Congress reaches a bailout deal. The McCain operative I just spoke to said he was unaware if Bush also called McCain in.

"A few moments ago, President Bush called Senator Obama and asked him to attend a meeting in Washington tomorrow, which he agreed to do. Senator Obama has been working all week with leaders in Congress, Secretary Paulson, and Chairman Bernanke to improve this proposal, and he has said that he will continue to work in a bipartisan spirit and do whatever is necessary to come up with a final solution. He strongly believes the debate should go forward on Friday so that the American people can hear from their next President about how he will lead America forward at this defining moment for our country," said Obama-Biden spokesman Bill Burton.