This is somewhat maddening
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/POLITICS/11/17/clinton.cabinet/art.clinton.gi.jpg]Editor's Note: Hilary Rosen appeared on CNN’s Election Center tonight, below are her feelings about Bill Clinton’s effect on Hillary’s chances at becoming Secretary of State.
Campbell Brown: Hilary, what kind of things are they looking for in this vetting process? What is it that they're worried about? What kind of conflicts of interest that could pose problems?
Hilary Rosen: Campbell, I just have to say, though, this is somewhat maddening if you're, you know, a supporter of Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton or both. The Obama transition team is saying that the Clintons are being completely cooperative. The Clinton campaign - the Clinton team isn't saying anything. And we know that Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton have done more financial disclosure than any candidates in history. This - he's never made a nickel from his foundation. He has disclosed every source of income on her senate financial statements. So this kind of speculation that this evaluation is somehow going to hurt her is silly.
CB: In fairness, though, I mean, during the primaries there were a lot of questions that went unanswered about the fund-raising that went toward the Clinton library. And, yes, of course he was raising money for charity, but a lot of that is influence pedaling. You can't deny that. That's just a fact of life. And it's clearly worth vetting or the Obama campaign wouldn't spend the time on it.
HR: I don't think raising money for the presidential library for Bill Clinton is influence pedaling. And what the library has done with the Obama campaign is making the Obama transition team is making them fully satisfied. As far as his income goes or the Clinton Global Initiative, the things he's most directly connected to, he's had full disclosure on those things all along.
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Filed under: Barack Obama • Bill Clinton • Hillary Clinton • Raw Politics • T1 |
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The people who are always looking for problems are the people who will always find problems. They are bitter, negative humans who are miserable in their own lifes, have no lives and cannot stand for anyone to achieve anything. They will never be happy no matter who is picked for what , they will always find a negative. Very sad.
How come Bill Clinton's Global Foundation didn't come under so much scrutiny and news coverage when Hilary Clinton was potentially the democratic nominee for president and possibly, the president of the United States.
Bad idea !
First Obama stole the nomination away from her via ACORN.
Second, Hillary is more smarter than Obama.
Third, Hillary has more experience than Obama.
It is just too painfull to work for a rookie.
I'm confused about why there is concerrn now regarding the potention for President Clinton's "influence peddling" to create a conflict of interest for Senator Clinton as Secretary of State when it was barely discussed during the Presidential primaries. Shouldn't this have been an issue when we were considering her as a candidate for President if it's an issue now? I would have thought the need for "vetting" on this issue would be old news after a protracted Presidential primary campaign.
The Obama Adminstration should not compare Bill Clinton with Hillary when it comes to whether he offers her the Secretary of State position because they are two different entities. Bill Clintons finances from his CHARITY foundation should not alter the choice if he picks her or not. Obama should focus on Hillary's accomplishments and her impressive experience in foreign affairs. I do not understand why this is even an issue. If someone would kindly explain to me why, that would be great.
Is this the "CHANGE" Obama was talking about.
I guess Obama forgot what he said last December:
B December 27, 2007: "The real gamble in this election is playing the same Washington game with the same Washington players and expecting a different result."
I do not think Hilary should be secretary of state and that has nothing to do with Bill his library, charitable work, or his personal speaking ties and big fees.
The reason is the diplomatic issues globally surround Muslim or Islamic states and women regrettably are second class citizens with no power or respect as of now. We can argue that is wrong and it is but it is currently a reality.
The best role for her is Attorney general, if she is appointed Sof S there will forever be questions of conflict of interest, speculation of how much Bill was involved or not, all of which undermine He and Obama.
It is too big a risk.
Regards,
Hodgson.
Now let me see, it's ok for Hillary to be our President, but it's a conflict of interest for her to be Secretary of State. We are willing to give her the highest post in the land, but she's not qualified to be S.O.S? Isn't it true she could become the President in the event something were to happen to the Pres, VP, etc?
I think Jim has an interesting idea above re: Hillary as AG toward SCJ. Never thought of that before. Otherwise, she should stay in the Senate, where we are going to need Titans to effectuate change.
WHO vetted Obama? No One?
What about HIS fundraising? He took money from Palestine, is being investigated by the FEC, what about Tony Rezko? Nadhmi Auchi? Ralia Odingo? Does anyone care to investigate the new President Elect?
At least the transition team is "vetting" unlike the Republicans...vet Palin!
Funny how Clinton is being vetted for Sec. of State. I always thought it would be much more interesting for her to be tapped as Atty. General with a path to a Supreme Court appointment. She was a successful lawyer and wouldn't be tied to Bill's connections. Perhaps this is all a smokescreen for her to be named Atty. General. You saw it here first America!
Why do we always look for problems with the Clintons? Can't we be more positive looking for a change – Obama seems to be.
Annie Kate
Birmingham AL
We went to the Clinton library while on a road trip from Calif to Tenn. He should do a bit more fundaising since the library is so bare. Now the Nixon library, that's something else!