Clinton 'Disenchanted' With The Senate

The New York Times reports that one factor in Hillary Clinton's decision on moving to the Cabinet is a disappointment with the Senate:

The uncertainty, a week after Mr. Obama met with Mrs. Clinton in Chicago to discuss the idea of her leading the State Department, kept Washington spinning in feverish speculation about whether the two former rivals for the Democratic presidential nomination would team up. Mrs. Clinton was keeping counsel only with a tight circle of confidants, leaving even prominent veterans of the Clinton political operation guessing as to her intentions.

But driving her consideration, friends said, is a sense of disenchantment with the Senate, where despite her stature she remains low in the ranks of seniority that governs the body. She was particularly upset, they said, at the reception she felt she received when she returned from the campaign after collecting 18 million votes and almost becoming the first woman nominated for president by a major party.

"Her experience in the Senate with some of her colleagues has not been the easiest time for her," said one longtime friend who insisted on anonymity in exchange for sharing Mrs. Clinton's sentiments. "She's still a very junior senator. She doesn't have a committee. And she's had some disappointing times with her colleagues."

Read more about Hillary Clinton and the Secretary of State post here.

Comments

[MuchMadness]

Disenchanted with the senate? Join the crowd, Hillary.

[benndissed]

good way to pump up the new kid that replaces her?

[bascombe]

too bad she won't stay and fight reid. Then again, I'm still waiting for the 2006 hopes to come to fruition. Jim Webb, etc.

shame on the collegial phu(kers in the senate and the (ourage-free pelosi in the house.

[tlou33]

Only Hilary Clinton would be dissatisfied with being a Senator. What is her problem? Does she not want to roll up her sleeves and get to work dealing with the problems this country is facing especially after the last eight years? Does see expect special treatment? Senators get plum assignment after they have been working there for years.Is she disappointed of her treatment when she returned there after her campaign? Well, she should be, she went after a fellow democrat, prolonged her campaign when it was obvious she couldn't win (most people stop their campaign when they run out of money) and threatened to disrupt the convention. Maybe she can give her spot to someone who would like to be a senator or congressman but can't because they don't have money or name recognition or some other reason.

[FeelinGroovy]

Yes, she doesn't like the work involved, only wants the prestige of a plum assignment.

I'm disenchanted with Hillary.

[ohmercy]

uhhh, did you read the article?

Yikes, what am I asking? Would it matter if you had? Critical reading and thinking along with objective analysis of facts seems to be beyond most of the hate crowd... and those who are capable of it twist facts into unrecognizable venom in order to purposely engender more division and drama.

Its so funny, though not in a haha way, that you people accuse HRC of drama but you are the ones who actually create it.

What a bunch of sick puppies.
pathetic.

[dajay]

The drama begins and ends on the HF Post with the Obama supporters.

"What a bunch of sick puppies."

Yes that about covers it.

[benndissed]

one thing is certain. if the transition team is 'floating' her name out there as SOS, to see the reaction, before making it 'official' after thanksgiving, then the controversy surrounding this pick, may yet determine if she's in or out.

[StillIRise]

Hillary's IN. Her name is not just "floating" now, it's all but confirmed by an official announcement, which I believe will be made the Friday after Thanksgiving.

[benndissed]

exactly my point .thank you for the 'all but' confirmation. u r very nice.

[dajay]

And on Friday the Obama supporters will all be lining up for their shock therapy.

[Alex02139]

One thing for sure: Hillary would not be letting Bob Gates stay at Defense if she were president. It's too bad Hillary won't stay in the Senate and fight for progressive values from the upcoming "Rerun Administra­tion." Obama's appointments so far are reruns of Bush and Clinton. Obama has already backtracked on promises regarding taxes, spending, gay rights, Iraq, and more.

I voted for Obama, better than any Republican, but I always knew he was a phony.

[Bagger]

Huh?

[Bitsko]

I found out what a "concern tr0ll" was the other day. That information has come in very handy since.

[Ugonna]

he didn't backtrack on ANY of those things.

[StillIRise]

"Obama's appointments so far are reruns of Bush and Clinton."

Lately, I've wondered where people expect Obama to find the personnel for his cabinet. It seems that it's reasonable to expect that he would seek experienced Democrats or moderate Republicans to fill these posts. Yet, before Bill Clinton's two-term presidency, we'd not had a Democratic administration since Jimmy Carter. For the sake of argument, let's say Obama passed over everyone who ever worked in the Clinton administration and reached back to the Carter years for the expertise and talent that he seeks in in those he wants to appoint to his cabinet. The youngest would likely be 65 years old, they would be all men and of course, they'd all be white. Would this have met your satisfaction?

Or, maybe you'd be satisfied if Obama passed over everyone who ever worked in the Clinton administration, and brought in people we've never heard of before and knew nothing about. I suspect the media would have a field day with this prospect, and some of us would be a little unsettled as well, but at least it wouldn't be anyone who worked for the Clintons!

He's not backtracked on any promises. He acknowledged, before he won the election and before we voted, that the economic crisis may postpone his tax proposal and curtail his spending. Otherwise, his positions on everything else you've mentioned is unchanged.

Your outrage is phony .. and YOU'RE the phony one, not Obama.

[Alex02139]

Yeah whatever. Let's see: Bush boy Gates at Defense, Bush boy Geithner at Treasury, rerun Holder at Justice, misogynist overrated control freak Summers as Econ czar, Bush boy Jones as NSC, no change here, its all so safe and so very conservative. Appeasement.

[laire]

Alex02139,

People like you kill me, I'm sure your the same guy who was saying during the campaign Obama is not doing the right thing yada, yada. All of the people the president appoints follow his lead and his policies not their own. Bob Gates has done a good job with what he has had to deal with and he is a competent person who knows what going on with all situations in Iraq and afghanistan. I voted for Obama because I trust his judgement and his political skills so please let the man run the country for a while before you start throwing stones.

[Lexie]

She really needs to learn when she should just shut up. It's an unnecessary observation, and will not endear her to anyone in the Senate. Earning seniorty has its merits as well. Again, asking for the special treatment.

[JordanKokich]

yeah ask ted stevens

[ohmercy]

ahhhahahahaha

ummm- did you read the article?
No?

oh, you did?
you mean you read it but didn't understand it?

she spoke with just a few people- the drama is all yours and the media you parriot.

so silly.

[HerbTee]

Nothing I dislike more than a sni.v.e.li­ng, m.o.a.n.in­g, eg.o.t.i.s­.t.ical, self-anointed whiner!

Waaaahhh..­.Obama and his he.n.c.h.m.en.en” were be.a.t.i.ng up on a girl and said s.e.x.i.s.­t, mis.o.g.y.­n.i.s.tic things about me (Obama or his campaign never did)!

Waaaahhh..­.the Superdelegates didn't anoint me as the DNC nominee!

Waaaahhh..­.The DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee ruled against me by awarding some of “my” delegates to Obama though I pledged the MI & FL votes wouldn’t count…until I started losing!

Waaaahhh..­.I didn't get the nomination even though I had 18 million (debatable) votes from running a divisive, dysf.u.n.c­.t.i.onal, r.a.c.e-pa­ndering, Rovian-styled campaign!

Waaaahhh..­.my name wasn't placed to a floor vote at the DNC Convention even though I had 18 million (debatable) votes, but actually lost the nomination!

Waaaahhh..­.Obama owes me for his P-E win so I should have my pick of any job in his Cabinet I want...onc­e I obfuscate and ponder on which position I want...if I actually want and will accept it.

Waaaahhh..­.I should be entitled to a "consolation prize" as a junior Senator, so I'll use my 18 million (debatable) votes to elbow my way in by intimidation rather than on my abilities and seniority!

[JordanKokich]

the primary is over.

so quit whinning about it

[joebiz]

HerbTee is not whining, just pointing out the sorry and sore loser spirit of the Clintons. It was quite good.

[VegasBabe]

couldn't agree with you more!

[ohmercy]

you must really hate yourself, thats all you ever do.

[ideasmatter]

Hillary disappointed? Please spare me the gutzpah! HRC has not contributed in any way to any major legislation; she has only used the Senate as a launching pad for her Presidential bid. Barack Obama on the other hand has contributed on a wide variety of issues -- quite contrary to the lack of record that HRC tried to pin on him during the campaign.

And now she no longer has a use for the Senate, so she as to put the Senate down. The Senate useless? Just think of Edward Kennedy, who has left more of a positive legislative legacy than many a President.

[JordanKokich]

She co-authored legislation that made the Pell grant available for summer sessions. I appriciate Hillary's legislative efforts, for at least in this instance, it has improved my life as a student.

[joebiz]

So you actually got to go to college. Great! What has she done to earn the Secretary of State position?

[JordanKokich]

So you obviously don't have a clue what you are talking about,

even if it were tue it is laughable in comparison to Obamas senate record, which he too used as a launching pad.

Stop with the double standards its disgusting.

[ohmercy]

again, another loser either completely unaware due to intellectual laziness, lack of curiosity or just a preference for not knowing in order to continue spouting venom and malice.

Poor baby.

ignorance is such a sad thing.

www.govwatch.us

if you have the courage to actually research the Senators accomplishments in the Senate click the link.

Of course then you would have to knowingly lie when you spit out your ugly.

[dajay]

Oh so BO has not used his 2 year Senate seat as a launching pad to the presidency.

And on what issues specifically has he contributed? I know I didn't hear anything like that during the campaign. I am interested to know how much more he did in the Senate than Hillary.

[Wigelah]

So much for the unification of the party. What a bunch of Hillary haters. President Elect Obama must think she's ok and he probably knows her a little better than the rest of you. He probably wouldn't be very happy with the attitude here.

[shutdown]

She sure cared about unifying the party when she played the race card in Ohio and PA., didn't she???

[JordanKokich]

no, no, no... its when she stumped for Obama in Ohio and Pa.

LOL

facts are important

[StillIRise]

As a black woman, I was deeply offended and disappointed when Hillary and her surrogates attempted to exploit the racial divide to win support from the electorate. I saw a side of her that I had never realized before, and my respect for her eroded tremendously.

But IT'S OVER. I supported President-Elect Obama, and he won, and two weeks later, I'm still celebrating. I probably will never forget the ugliness that surfaced in both the primary and the general, but I've chosen to put it behind me and look forward to the leadership of Barack Obama. My disappointment in Hillary's campaign does not blind me to her intelligence, experience and exposure, and from this perspective - and based on my trust in Obama's judgment - I believe Hillary will be an effective Secretary of State, and in this capacity, she will be a team player if for no other reason than that she'll have to be.

Neither Hillary nor Obama can unite our party, if we aren't willing to be united. Holding onto past grievances is both unproductive and antithetical to the example that President-Elect Obama is setting, and if HE can get on board with Hillary (or bring her on board), then we need to get on board with him!

[dajay]

The Obama campaign cared about unifying the party when they kept labeling HIllary and President Clinton as racists, stirring up racial tensions between the two camps, right?

[benndissed]

maybe he's reading our posts and getting our reactions before 'finalizing' the 'deal'?

[aweissnet]

Don't think he cares what we think.

Yeah, I voted for him, and have high hopes, but let's face it, they are politicians, and they are the wealthy. They're still handing out money, and we're all still broke, and looks like, we'll be broker next year. They and their friends will have all the cake they need.

They don't care what we think. If they did, we wouldn't see matters going the way they are. We are not constituents. We are plebians, serfs.

[dajay]

benndissed: I hate to burst your bubble, but I think that if indeed President elect Obama was reading his supporters' comments here, he would be trying to figure out how he got stuck with such hate mongers as his supporters

[shutdown]

Considering that she is a narcissistic attention seeking egoist who only cares about her own egocentric ambitions, and would do anything or hurt anyone to get what she wants, it is any wonder why her colleagues despise her.

Remember her lament in New Hampshire- Why don't people like Me?? - See above!

[benndissed]

lmao!!!

[JordanKokich]

Is this a news site? or is this people magazine?

Who cares about this stuff?

[ScooterLiddy]

Yes this is a news site. And yes this is news. And people care about this.

[dajay]

News site? No mistaken the HF Post for a news site, that's for sure.

[c1ee]

Well it seems you care enough to post about 50 replies. I think the question you really want to ask is 'Why is everyone picking on Hillary! Leave Hillary alone!!!'

[yoli647]

Yes this is news, I care, I want to know more of why she is so disliked, and why Obama chose her for Secretary of State. The Clintos wants all the attention, but now she will work for the boss, President elect Obama, how about that!!

[benndissed]

me....and ummm......­you...and.­.ummmm....­and 1126 comments worth of passionate bloggers. there are other threads if this one doesn't interest you. personally, i find it informative and it gives me so many different perspectives, on important issues like this. we have 2 wars going on and healthy discussions about the next SOS is good.

[wendynyc]

We Need Real Change - IN THE SENATE -

Let's get rid of all these old DOGS!

[Nan2008]

And so it takes how many years for a new member in the Senate to gain enough seniority to make a CHANGE? This is BS. We vote someone into office because we like their ideas, they enter and have their hands tied, FOR YEARS. WTF. THIS IS F'G BS. NO WONDER NOTHING GETS DONE. For GAWDS sake they're NOT IN HIGH SCHOOL, JUNIOR AND SENIOR SENATORS? MY BUTT. This IS NOT THE OLD BOY'S CLUB; IT'S MORE LIKE THE OLD MAN FARTUNITY.

[ajax2]

Does everybody hate Harry Reid?

[ScooterLiddy]

Not me.

[yoli647]

No

[wdw102]

most people do

[tlou33]

No. but I'm little dismayed Pelosi took impeachment off the table. And I sometimes wish Democrats wouldn't be so spineless.

[StillIRise]

I don't HATE him, but it's hard to respect him as the majority leader in the Senate. Listening to Reid speak is sometimes worse than listening to Bush, and that's pretty bad!!! I would love to see him replaced with someone stronger, more charismatic, and who makes more sense than he does.

But ... such is life!

[JordanKokich]

Obama told you guys all along he would be a pragmatist not an idealogue, like Bush. So the fact that all these idealogues on the left appear dumbfounded by Obama's cabinet appoinments is really a reflection of your bad listening skills. But thats what idealogues do, they don't listen.

[JohnnyKay]

Spare me any pity parties for Hillary.

please.

[dajay]

Hillary doesn't need pity, especially from the bloggers here.

[HerbTee]

And she won't get any pity either...l­east not from me!