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

[plzchuteme]

While the seniority system in the senate to assign leadership positions is far from perfect, it does have the advantage of assuring that the "most popular kids" do not end up with all the goodies. The solution, of course, is term limits which isn't very popular either. The point is, that Hillary knew the club bylaws when she joined. Did she expect that she would be able to budge to the head of the line because she used to live in the White House? Should she receive special dispensation because she was a woman, or because she almost was a candidate for president? It's mighty big of her to accept the position of Secretary of State as a consolation prize. She reminds me of the celebrity or athlete who is stopped by the police for some violation and asks indignantly, "Don't you know who I am?"

[dct1999]

The Clintons have a habit of complaining about rules that have existed for a long time but dont' benefit them. For example: caucus states, delegate count vs. popular vote, and senate seniority rules to name a few. Their sense of entitlement is troublesome, IMO.

[McChimp]

It truly is funny seeing a lot of people try and defend Hillary's acts when they are indefensible.

Let's flip flop this for a second: Say it was Barack Obama who cried sexism against Hillary Clinton, stayed in after Hillary won 11 primaries in a row, complained about Florida and Michigan not being counted, started to talk about Clinton scandals, complained about his race being used against him, stayed in the race even after Hillary maintained the lead over him, refused to concede after Hillary clinched the nomination and wait five days later, did little in the way of campaign events for Hillary, and say it was Barack Obama who said he was disenchanted returning to being a junior Senator, everyone would be t earing him limb from limb, but because it's Hillary Clinton, she gets special treatment and all should be forgiven!

[closetodemfection]

Did little in the way of campaign events?! Is that how you describe over 80 campaign stops on Obama's behalf?

[McChimp]

On the contrary, she did only a couple per month, and she really didn't get underway until October, when Barack Obama already had an insurmountable lead over John McCain. And I believe that Hillary did nothing but secure base voters which already were voting for Barack Obama, she did little to attract moderates and independent voters, the GOP endorsements he got did that.

[roshni]

I tend to think she campaigned well for Obama. What sank her is her sense of entitlement and this article promotes the same idea. She is a junior senator and seems to want special privileges. That image does not do her any favors.
Since Obama has picked her, I hope they work well together to get the job done.

[propitiousmoment]

For god's sake, if Obama, the person she directed her attacks against, is big enough to let bygones be bygones, why can't you? How about buying into his call for change, of which he is the prime example? They had a tough campaign, it's over. Get over it.

[McChimp]

So you are saying if it was reversed and had it been Obama that was whining, you'd tell him to get over it? Says a lot doesn't it?

I voted for Obama and I will hold him accountable, something that those who voted for Bush haven't done. As Americans, it's our DUTY to hold those who lead our nation accountable when they succeed and when they f ail, unless you want another eight years of f ailed blind leadership, which is NOT change, just more of the same.

[EarthToZoey]

Nobody is saying she deserves "special treatment".

I'm saying she deserves a chance to prove herself to be an excellent Secretary of State.

Our next President of the United States of America seems to understand POLITICS and all that it entails -- including intense competition, gloves-off maneuvering, and jockeying for support.

Holy smokes. Do you think Obama is an utter_moron or what?

[McChimp]

Did I say Obama was a m oron? No.
Do I trust his judgment? Yes.
Do I disagree with his appointment? Yes.

I am merely expressing my reasons for watching Hillary like a h awk, are you saying we should blindly support Obama like s heep? We've seen what eight years of blind support has done with Bush, how has that worked out?

I voted for Obama, and I will hold him accountable, something those who voted for Bush haven't done.

[HerbTee]

If Barack had behaved in such a manner, he would be an outcast and ostracized in the Senate as the quintessential "angry Black man". His Senate days would be numbered because the people of Illinois would likely not re-elect him for another term. His political career would be over...des­troyed!

But not Hillary and Bill Clinton, nosiree Bob! Hillary can do no wrong, no matter who she destroys or disenfranchises along the way towards her egomaniacal paths to glory.

[McChimp]

My point exactly, finally someone who isn't beholden to neoliberal ideology.

[dct1999]

The Clintons' sense of entitlement is immeasureable, your post is on point.

[westcoastsc]

I'm hoping that Hillary will be the fantastic host in Barack's five star restaurant.

[EarthToZoey]

What does that even mean?

[westcoastsc]

It means she will do her job without givin' no lip and make people feel comfortable with what Obama has to offer. Instead of food, it is empathy, knowledge, patience and consideration. She will also need to have some qualities as a bouncer.

[naschkatze]

She has born out what I have thought for a long time. She had no interest in the Senate other than as a springboard to run for president. What happened to all the promises she made to the people of NY that no matter what, she wanted to represent their interests? I cannot understand why the people of NY are not disgruntled over this, but maybe they think they will do better if someone else becomes the junior senator. You are one of one hundred in the Senate, and there are no fast tracks to chairmanships. Now the diva can be in the media every day.

[propitiousmoment]

Maybe because they knew she wanted the seat as a springboard to greater power, and supported her using it as such.

[klondiker]

Because the majority of New Yorkers have no problem with their leaders moving on to bigger and better things. In fact, many see it as a source of pride that one of their representatives gets to be in a more high-profile position. That's the same as what's happening in Illinois. Obama had pledged to serve a full-term in 2004, but he didn't. And, yet, I'm sure the overwhelming number of Illinois residents have nothing but pride that he's in the White House.

As for your point about Hillary's promises, here are the facts: In 2000, she pledged to serve a full-term, and she did. In 2006, she DID NOT pledge to serve a full-term, and New Yorkers still elected her by a wide margin.

[closetodemfection]

Obama only served for a year and a half of his term before campaigning. What is your point?

[Ugonna]

yeah, and if he had lost, he would have gone back to work in the senate, period. She's whining that she isn't a senior yet, and can't wait until she becomes one. So entitled.

[JessWonderin]

No doubt the idea of being under the "leadership" of Harry Reid would discourage ANY person looking for a direction based on vision, integrity and progressive movement to re-shape America . . .

The caliber of Senate "Leadership' lacks the convictions of action and change reflected by the voters . . . as Secretary of State Hillary will make us PROUD again as she shovels out the Aegean Stable left by Bush . . . .

[HillaryGoAway]

Hillary never wanted to be a senator in the first place. She just wanted the title and the adulation. Hillary craves the Klieg lights. Her narcissistic personality is constantly in need of public and media attention. That is why you will never see her in the Supreme Court. Not that she is qualified to be there anyway. She obviously sees SOS as her last best chance at some kind of glory. The Shakespearean irony here is that now she is under Obama's thumb completely. I don't buy the argument that he can't fire her once he hires her. If she starts going rogue, Obama will can her with little hesitation. And then where will she be? She wouldn't hold an elected office anymore and she would be out of a job. And if she does do well (meaning being a good cheerleader for O's policies) , there is no way she could viably run against him in 2012. Obama now holds HIllary's entire political future in his hands. Nice. Karma's a b*tch aint it?

[EarthToZoey]

Of course Obama can fire her if she were to work against him. If people argue against that, they obviously know nothing of history. Cabinet members "resign" (aka are asked to leave honorably) in every admin.

[JessWonderin]

Your Anti-Hillary bias blinds you to the real value of having a strong person with intellect and knowledge ADDING to this new direction we chose.

There were over 18 MILLION Americans that believed there was a LOT more than the "craves of the Klieg lights" in her effort. Her "place" would not be the Supreme Court anyway . . . and as for being "under Obama's thumb", it maybe the opposite in fact she is an EXTENSION of his hand - Obama seems to have the ability to select the best person to do the job unlike the present Administration which sought out the least qualified ideologue crony available.

[McChimp]

Hillary: Noun, verb, 18 million cracks.

And if she truly had 18 million voters, how the h eck does she still have 7 million dollars in campaign debt, those 18 million voters should pitch in and help her pay it off!

[cruisepuppy7452a]

The public gave Hillary a bad rep. The woman is incredibly bright, not the republican Bot people thought she was. Hillary has reason to be unhappy with the house and senate. They have been far too in the pockets of Bush, Cheney, CFR, ISI, Jerome Hauer and Kroll industries. The few who are not, are indeed few and far between. Hillary wants to see a house and senate that is open minded, willing to forgo old methods, and put the public first. In watching her campaign, on the road visits to unions, ect, she showed a tremendous sense of sensitivity to thier issues, and this will carry very well over to her new position. Until we clean house in both congress, senate, strip the FBI, CIA, CFR, of any and all ties to Kroll the Bush/Cheney connection, nothing will change. Its the will of the three zies,

[HerbTee]

Well, if Hillary didn't like the Senate then she should do what Senators Chuck Hagel, Bob Graham, Bill Frist, Fred Thompson and many other Senators have done before her...simp­ly refuse to run for another Senate term and leave!! Now that she's suddenly so unhappy being within the Senate, the entire universe should change just to accommodate and revolve around her egomaniacal feelings, huh? You people really make me laugh!

[westcoastsc]

I'll look that up.

[westcoastsc]

Kroll Fraud Solutions

How effen ironic!

[anney]

I don't think Hillary is "incredibly bright" at all. What she has instead of mental acumen is a will of iron and a willingness to fight and win in politics at any cost. She's really terrible at getting groups of people to work together, note from her work on the national health care initiative in the 90s. That iron will and fighting stance are why the health care initiative failed -- she absolutely refused to take suggestions from anyone if those suggestions were not already in her plan. When she's in the spotlight, on show, she appears to be charming because she's so energized.

We'll have to wait and see if she has the diplomatic qualities needed as the SoS in Obama's administration. She'll have to snuff that iron will in relationship with him and, to be successful on the international scene, in relationship with other world leaders. God, I just hope she doesn't screw things up for America. I don't have a lot of faith in her skills of diplomacy, which are urgently needed in the SoS position.

[editorjuno]

The president-elect has made his decision, and his choice will have plenty of help building an effective staff. All this a priori naysaying about her well-known shortcomings is pointless -- she's got at least as much going for her as any of the other SoS prospects, and the Clinton name is still hugely popular abroad, which is where it counts for the country's diplomat-in-chief.

Let's not shoot down our new foreign policy team before it even takes the field!

[classc 1]

While I am more than fine with Hillary's selection as SOS and think she will make an amazing SOS...whom is she kidding? What kind of reception did she think her colleagues in the Senate would give her when she provided the most damaging talking points against Obama in the national election? How did she think they would feel when she refused to cede the nomination to Obama even when she knew it was over thereby causing needless friction and divisiveness?

Personally, I will not forget that she did not concede on the night that Obama secured the Democratic nomination. Did she forget that she said that McCain and she had the experience and credentials to lead the nation and all Obama had was a speech? Did she forget that 3am call ad? The fact is, her behavior severely damaged the Democratic nominee thereby putting the Democratic agenda in jeopardy. THAT is why she came back to a "chilly" reception.

That being said...goo­d luck Madame Secretary. I truly wish both you and our nation the best. Just stop playing the victim.

[McChimp]

Cosign your post 100%... If Hillary can't take the heat, she should get out of the kitchen, her own words.

[dct1999]

Or in Bill Clinton's words:

"If a politician doesn't wanna get beat up, he shouldn't run for office. If a football player doesn't want to get tackled or want the risk of an a occasional clip he shouldn't put the pads on."

[EarthToZoey]

I agree that she should have expected some cold shoulders. Not to the degree of the complete R*A*T like Joe Lieberman, but she did play hardball in the primaries and hung on for far too long.

Still, she should be cut SOME slack, IMO. She's not Machiavellian like some seem to think. It is in her best interest to work in concert with Barack Obama. If people are still distrustful of her, just remember that her legacy is also at stake if Obama were to fail.

[McChimp]

She didn't care about her legacy running the na stiest campaign from a Democrat that I've ever seen. Even Bush didn't get that negative against John Kerry in 2004.

[westcoastsc]

I am not against her being SOS, but.. Did you read her college papers? They seemed very Machiavelli. She has been quoted as saying, "I will do anything to win." When we were getting ready to prosecute Nixon she lied about some info that would have made her job a little harder. She was fired.

[Americano]

Hillary is not disenchanted, the Senate is not a full time job. After seeking the presidency and working towards that goal for a full year, she cannot go back to that desk job. She's talented, intelligent, a visionary, a doer, and wants to make a difference, secretary of state their she'll make a difference!!.

[mairs]

She's not disenchanted with the Senate? What to do... believe you or the reporter who heard it from her friends.

[justobserve]

Well said! She just keeps hanging on her "18 millions" after she severely damaged Obama and her party. Her words were used by McCain and Palin to attack Obama. Luckily Obama won despite having had to fight insider like her and outsiders at the same time. That is why her collegues are cold toward her. Anyone competing in the primaries would have a percentage of voters but that is the precedure and for good reason. She had the name recognition at first but she flunked herself as time went on. Compared with other senators, she already jumped ahead the queue a lot when she won NY even though she didn't live there. She just thinks she is entitled to higher postion just because she was First Lady? Obama is very considerate toward her because she has no experience negotiating anything with foreign countries, friends or, especially, foes. She should thank Obama now for "rescuing" her from the Senate.

[dct1999]

Please, no more comments about her 18 million "cracks in the ceiling". Approximately 66,000,000 americans voted for Obama, and many of his votes came from people who the Clintons claimed would never support him like latinos, middle aged white women, and blue collar white men.

Clinton waged a terrible, mean spirited campaign that sought to divide democrats by race, gender and class. Did she really expect her congressional colleagues to roll out the red carpet when she returned to the senate after her well deserved defeat?

[progressivepam]

Couldn't have said that better...

[closetodemfection]

Just because that's your impression doesn't make it fact. Clinton would have won the GE by 11 pts, not 7 according to exit polls. Please try to step out of your bubble here, the majority of Americans hold her in high regard and would have been equally if not more happy to have her as POTUS than Obama. Unlike Ted Kennedy and other former candidates, she didn't take her ball and go home after the closest primary in history and winning the popular vote. Instead, she worked her tail off for Obama, campaigned and raised millions for down ticket races so YES they should have given her props when she returned to the Senate.

[MaxxEliot]

Excellent.­.and thank you!!

[McChimp]

Sure she would have won against McCain... and pigs can fly.

If she would have won against John McCain, why did Republicans launch Operation Chaos and voted for her? It's because the Republicans would have pulled every Clinton scandal out of the book just like they did with Ayers, Wright, and Rezko to Barack Obama. Republicans wanted Hillary as the candidate because she'd be easier to b eat, and you have to wonder why they're celebrating Hillary getting the post of Secretary of State.

[dct1999]

The myths about Hillary just grow bigger and bigger, an 11 point win for a candidate who couldn't even win the primary. OK, sure, whatever you say.

[mairs]

That's whistling in the wind. Hillary would have won by MORE, neener neener....

I'm not sure she would have won at all. She would have waged the same sort of campaign as McCain did, and her wild swings of temperament and direction would have matched his, while her fractious campaign continued to self-destruct and undermine itself through internal warring.

She was supposed to campaign for Obama. The primary losers do that. Why is it that it is supposedly so exceptional that Hillary did it? Is it because no one expected her to be that decent?

[classc 1]

Ummn...WHA­T exit polls and whom exactly conducted these poll? Did they ask black people in these polls because I can ASSURE you that blacks would have never waited in lines participating in early voting for hours to vote for her had she been the nominee. Many would have just stayed home and most I know SWORE that they would vote for McCain before ever pulling the lever for a Clinton again. Granted...­Palin could have been a deal-breaker for anyone. That aside, after the racially divisive campaign that Hillary ran, you can believe that nonsense about Hillary winning by a larger margin if you like, but without the black vote...goo­d luck with that. Ask Kerry about this.

You also seem to have forgotten that the Clintons are the mortal enemies of the righ-wingn*uts. Yes..the likes of Rush and others supported her candidacy.­..ever wonder why? They knew that nothing would excite their base like the possibility of another Clinton White House. There is also no way we would have seen the record voting numbers had she been the nominee in that she would not have been the beneficiary of Obama's legendary ground game which registered massive numbers of people and got the vote out.

[TexasLovesUBlue]

Why not; it worked for Lieberman.­..;As for Senator Clinton being "Disenchanted", I understand, I know that I am, with ALL of them!

[dct1999]

Lieberman wasn't running for reelection, and the candidate he suported lost. What are you talking about?

[msmaggie]

First, this article attributes feelings to Hillary by way of anonymous sources. Second, we are lucky to have 2 people as talented as Obama and Hillary to help us out of this deep ditch we are in. Word to the wise: the campaign is over, the good guys won. It's time to move on and we better learn to work together. You think the campaign was tough? Try governing. After all, the likes of W and Rove were able to campaign successfully. Successfully governing requires the ability to put aside slights and past injustices and focus on moving forward for the collective good.

How nice to sit back and stand in judgement. Another work to the wise, get in the game or get out of the way.

[McChimp]

And after eight years of a free pass being given to Bush's admin, Hillary DOESN'T get a free pass from me because she said she and John McCain had passed the Commander in Chief test and were more qualified than Barack Obama; saying that Ayers, Wright, and Rezko clouded his judgment; complaining about FL and MI not counting after signing a pledge not to make them count; complaining about Zimbabwe and civil rights; staying in after it was MATHEMATICALLY IMPOSSIBLE for her to win the nomination; making that RFK as sas sination reference; and now whining about being "disenchanted" being a junior Senator?

Based on ALL those factors coming from HER, I repeat, HER campaign that SHE ran, she won't get a free pass until she proves so otherwise. I trust PE Obama because I voted for him, but I still don't trust her.

[McChimp]

And after eight years of a free pass being given to Bush's admin, Hillary DOESN'T get a free pass from me because she said she and John McCain had passed the Commander in Chief test and were more qualified than Barack Obama; saying that Ayers, Wright, and Rezko clouded his judgment; complaining about FL and MI not counting after signing a pledge not to make them count; complaining about Zimbabwe and civil rights; staying in after it was MATHEMATICALLY IMPOSSIBLE for her to win the nomination; and now whining about being "disenchanted" being a junior Senator?

Based on ALL those factors coming from HER, I repeat, HER campaign that SHE ran, she won't get a free pass until she proves so otherwise. I trust PE Obama because I voted for him, but I still don't trust her.

[msmaggie]

I'm guessing Hillary will suck it up and manage to move on minus a pass from you. But it will be tough.

[westcoastsc]

I just hope there will be no more Vince Fosters. They must have had a good reason for shredding all his papers, right? What was that reason?

[dct1999]

Idiotic comment

[westcoastsc]

Are you talking about yours? Look up the facts. Can you answer the questions? Questions aren't comments.

[BiGnBulKY]

Hillery is no where near of being a leader in the Senate, after her run I think it would be wise to take a position in the white house

[Foucek]

Wasn't Hilary in Willy Wonka? She played Veruca Salt ?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dU7nG3KvZDA

[Irish55]

I'm not sure how I feel about Hillary as SOS - but I trust PE Obama. Frankly, I think the heat is now on Hillary to put up or shut up. And to her ardent supporters and 'inner circle'. You all have been clammering for her to be in a front line, top drawer position where the spotlight shines. OK - now she has it. To me, this is far riskier for her than Obama. Sure Obama will take a hit if it goes badly -- but he can (and I believe will) show her the door if she doesn't do the job well. So now Hillary - let's see what you bring to the table.