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

[dana94591]

What kind of reception did she think she would get, first of all??? And second, the senate is not the body where quick change takes place. If she really wanted to get into the mix, she should have run for the House. But that is too lowly for her. Well, she will now be in the Cabinet of the most incredible president who ever lived. Let's hope she is satisfied with that. Or maybe not!!!

[sunny555]

She must have thought people would be kissing her ring when she returned (in failure, mind you) to the Senate. Someone should have told her running for the president is like winning a game of horseshoes -- almost doesn't count.

[dana94591]

You got it! I really get t-ed by the Clinton entitlement attitude. Like they think that everything should be given to them. She got kicked in the butt because she presumed that she would be a heir apparent as President and she did not count on people saying "NO" to her. She lost because she was not smart enough: she had the typical wonkers in her campaign and they tried to high-class their way to the presidency. Oh no she ditn't!!!

[polaris12]

How long before she will be disappointed with the State Department? She has no experience running a large bureaucracy, and if her campaign if any example - no ability to provide cohesive leadership to a group of strong-headed individuals. As a New Yorker, I am well aware that Chuck Schumer's office is run much better than hers. This is not experience we can believe in. It will prove a sad choice for Obama.

[polaris12]

Sorry "... is any example ..."

[EarthToZoey]

You Hillary Clinton haters are beyond annoying. You have no concept of politics, marginalize her intelligence and talent to justify your derangement, and buy everything the right-wing smear machine and MSM sensationalists have fed you for years. It's sad, really. Why not just tune in to Rush Limbaugh and jump ship already?

There, I said my piece.

[westcoastsc]

Just because someone has something that is troubling to say about someone does not mean they are in line with Limbaugh or the MSM. It does not even mean that the person does not support her for the position. I, personally, have a problem with her lying. That cannot be denied. She admitted it.

I do think Obama should have her bugged.

[EarthToZoey]

Ahh, yes, Bosnia. Let's go down that road. It is the epitome and basis of argument that Hillary Clinton is some pathological_liar. Yes, she was ridiculous when she said that. But if we were to disqualify politicians for fabricating or stretching the truth, the halls of government would be empty. Still, like I said, it was foolish of her.

However, there is plenty of reason to assert that *most* anti-Clinton statements I read online are people who are still stuck in the primary battle. They can't seem to separate politics from reality.

[HerbTee]

Ha! I dislike Rush Limbaugh about as much as I dislike the Clintons. Satisfied?

[McChimp]

And we're supposed to just "forgive" hillary for saying that 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?

Sorry Hillary needs to grow up!

And no I'm not no Jabba the Rush or Hannity supporter either, merely an Obama supporter who has been for Obama since day one questioning her abilities to take this post based on the way she has conducted herself, which is unacceptable. Until she proves otherwise, she DOESN'T get a free pass, especially after Bush's admin has gotten a free pass.

[EarthToZoey]

I have also been for Obama since day one. I contributed the maximum to him in both the primaries and the general. I made hundreds of phone calls for him and knocked on doors until my knuckles were literally chapped.

I agree with you about the pettiness of the primary process. To be fair, there were dirty_shots by BOTH Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton during that hard-fought race. I never felt Hillary was "wronged" like her more fervent supporters do. She lost fair and square. Having said that, I don't think that was any indication of immaturity from Hillary (as you suggest). She felt strongly, and it was echoed by Bill Clinton, that Obama couldn't win. In fact, many people believed that at first. I think there was a combination of strong political competition and conviction from many that the Democrats needed someone more "well known" in order to force a Democratic realignment in government.

[EarthToZoey]

And as far as saying "she doesn't get a free pass" -- I agree with that. NO politician should get a free pass, including Obama. But I do think they deserve a chance to prove themselves. That is what I'm arguing for Hillary Clinton.

[MaxxEliot]

Thank you so much for saying it!!! These haters get on here and everything about them is so contrary to what Obama himself aspires to be as a person. When I read these posts I mostly pick up the anger as well as the hatred and I just think...how completely sad and pathetic.

[McChimp]

Criticism does not equal ha te my friend. And didn't Hillary say "If you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen?" Hillary should take her own advice!

[dct1999]

Criticism of a person's actions does not equal hate.

[Greg285]

What kind of reception did she expects after that negative campaign she ran against President-Elect Obama? Most of her colleagues supported the right horse and history porved them to be correct! It's always seems to be about the 'Clintons' for some reason or another! The next 4 yrs will not be about her, but about President Obama and she will be following his lead, not her own...

[McChimp]

That is what I've been saying all along, the way she ran her campaign and barely campaigned for Barack Obama until he had an insurmountable lead over John McCain is why many are still judgmental of her.

I'm not questioning PE Obama's judgment, I'm questioning Hillary's ability to do this job, especially after she conveniently is now "disenchanted" with being a junior Senator.

[dct1999]

Well said.

[EarthToZoey]

Obviously Barack Obama understands that politics is a dirty_game, unlike so many others. He's not phased, so why should you?

[dct1999]

That would be "fazed".

[KayJay90]

...except for spelling "fazed" incorrectly... :)

[MaxxEliot]

She ran a tough race...and yes she lost....Obama has moved on...but his "followers" can't seem to...I feel sorry for all of you...I truly do.

[theplaintrutho1]

I just realized, these are not Hillary faithful, more like the 25% of republicans trying to throw an Clinton-monkey-wrench in the machinery.
Sure, there are some true Hill supporters voicing their misguided opinions, but most are hoping for a failed Obama one-term.
Bring on Sarah, please.

I have noted one screen-name here, that objected to Joe L being forgiven. Most of us, hated even that.

[McChimp]

I am anything BUT a Republican, I am an independent who voted for Barack Obama, don't just a SSume things.

[Shadow08]

Right...

[theplaintrutho1]

I'm not assuming anything. I stated SOME Hill supporters, Jocko.

[theplaintrutho1]

I'm not assuming anything. I stated SOME Hill supporters, Jocko.

[macbabe]

do you REALLY think O would put ANYONE in his cabinet that would set him up to fail?? ... I am NOT a Clinton fan (not a hater) and I won't lie about it, BUT O did pick her and he's not stupid, so lets give her a chance ... this country is to messed up not too!!!

[McChimp]

I'll give her a chance, but until she proves worthy she is NOT getting a free pass from me, that's the bottom line.

And being conveniently "disenchanted" with being a junior Senator is not the way to begin. What, it was only enchanting to you when it's been politically convenient Mrs. Clinton?

[sunny555]

This woman has managed to parlay a lost presidential bid into a country-wide "you owe me" campaign. Because she got 18 million votes, which she has mentioned repeatedly, she thinks there should be some kind of consolation prize. Apparently, going back to the Senate is no longer a satisfying option to her. She claims she didn't get the recognition she expected, but maybe that's the problem. What DOES she expect. She lost, Obama won. Senators lose bids to become president all the time. Just because Bill bribed her with a Senate run after Monica-gate, doesn't mean the White House would fall into place as easily as the seat from New York.

[learnsomething]

Great comment.

That woman is a piece of work. Somebody lead her to believe she was a shoo-in for president, BUT the people said, NO!

[sunny555]

And thank G od we did!

[HerbTee]

Amen Sunny!!

[EarthToZoey]

Please list some supporting evidence that she is running a "you owe me" campaign?

No offense but far too many people read gossip rags and cook up theories in their mind.

[sunny555]

How about the fact that this article we are posting about even exists. To quote: she is "disenfranchised" with the Senate. How arrogant is that? She was elected by the good people of New York. I wish she had told them, when she first ran, that soon she would become "disenfranchised" in her representation of them. Maybe they wouldn't have elected her.

She was not owed the presidency, the senate seat, or any political position for that matter. Let's face it, she was a president's wife before the senate seat! What would you think if suddenly Laura Bush started talking about moving to New York and running for the Senate. You'd think: Who the heck does she think she is?

[macbabe]

Posted from the blog....
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/hillary-plays-hardball-1031238.html

[Kache]

FWIW, feedback from a Senate staffer:

Two months ago Ted Kennedy asked Obama to find a Cabinet position for Hillary. Ted realized that Health care reform without Hillary's involvement would be intolerable. It is her signature identity. But, Hillary's involvement would also make passing legislation harder, and selling that legislation to the public even harder still. Plus, as a junior Senator, there would be no official role for her to play, he would have to create a face-saving unofficial commission for her to chair and that smelled too much like her role in 1993.

Obama offered her State. She demurred for three days. In the three days interval, Tom Daschle got HHS and became the administration's ball carrier for health care reform. Kennedy handed the chairmanship of the health care reform to senior Senator Max Baucus who recently published his own blueprint for health care reform. In short, Hillary got "helped" out of her Senate seat and into Obama's Cabinet. Hillary's no fool. A new signature identity at State beats the marginalization she was destined for on health care reform.

[sunny555]

Thanks for enlightening us - very interesting. But I'm still bothered that Hillary seems to be "owed" something simply because she ran for president. I've never before heard a losing candidate announce so many times, how many votes they had. Have you heard this from McC? Hillary seems to think those votes entitle her to something. This concept feeds into what people already think of her -- that she's out for herself at all times.

[HerbTee]

Sunny, I think the game is Hillary feels the DNC owes her something for the so-called 18 million votes. Therefore, she can use that as leverage to attempt dividing the Democratic Party between Clinton and Obama supporter camps in 2012 if she and Bill do not get what they want. They are still playing that "18 million voters" card as a veiled threat and unfortunately, I think Obama is falling into it once again. I think it's time that he finally stiff-arms the Clintons once and for all. The Clintons have been trying to rain on his parade ever since the DNC nomination.

[learnsomething]

sunny, I have never ever heard a losing candidate remind people of how many votes, he/she got, over and over and over again.

I have never seen or heard of a losing candidate thinking they are owed something because they lost.

[LMPE]

I don't blame her. The government can't be a pleasant career. So why does she want to enter another government job?

[McChimp]

Lust for higher power, too bad even the Secretary of State is only fourth in line in terms of succession, the only seniority she will have is at the top of Obama's cabinet, and she STILL doesn't have any more power than she did being a junior Senator. It's a lose-lose situation for her, when will she finally get that name recognition doesn't entitle you to ANY elective office? We've seen what Bush's name recognition did to the nation and world, and the Terminator's name recognition did for CA.

[Shadow08]

What you call "lust for power" is politcal amibition. Every politican has it, or they would not be in politics. What seperates Sen Clinton from the rest?
You seem to be an expert on her. How many politicains turn down high level cabinet positions? Should she, and for what reason?

[Chicago48]

I agree. The Senate: It's called the glass ceiling. Another govt job -- as opposed to what? Her husband has a foundation, she could go work for him.

[McChimp]

Wow disenchanted with returning to being a junior Senator... it just doesn't have the ring of Madame President Hillary Clinton nor does it have the power or seniority.

While she would be the highest ranking member in Obama's Cabinet, should she take Sec of State, she STILL wouldn't have any say in foreign policy, since the NSA sets that. And in terms of Presidential succession, she's only fourth behind Byrd, Pelosi, Biden, and then Obama himself, she still doesn't have the seniority she wants, which is head honcho aka Queen of the Throne. When will she realize that just because she is a Clinton that she feels entitled to every political position there is? We've see what entitlement has done the past eight years because of a Bush feeling entitled because he's a Bush. Enough already!

[Shadow08]

When wil you get over your obession with being her psycho-therpaist?

[McChimp]

I'm not the one complaining about being "disenchanted" being a junior Senator with no committees. Maybe Hillary should have thought this out first instead of A SSumed she was going to be handed everything on a silver platter?

[YesWeCanada]

A noun, a verb and 18 million cracks in the ceiling.
Enough already!!!

[dct1999]

Exactly, especially after approximately 66,000,000 americans voted for the history making president elect.

[Shadow08]

...and that history making president is making his appointments...Clinton is one of them.

[riverhouse]

She's never been willing to do the long slog to prominence in politics. Hillary just assumes her importance.

[sunny555]

You are so right. Some people would be grateful -- indeed, ECSTATIC, to be elected to the senate on their first-ever run for office. Particularly being it was a state she had never resided in. But no, not our Hillary. Only the title of president would be good enough for this lady.

[Shadow08]

Wrong. She ran for office in New York and was elected, twice. How else could she have done it? What corners did she cut? She made the "slog" like everyone else who campaigns for office.

[klondiker]

What are you talkin about?? She's been doing the long slog for 35 years!! Maybe not as an elected official, but throuh public service. And, as Obama himself said many times during the campaign, there many different ways to serve your country.

Hillary has been in the trenches for 35 years, and if now, she finally feels that she is ready to serve in a high-level position, what's wrong with that??

[Ugonna]

"And, as Obama himself said many times during the campaign, there many different ways to serve your country."
LOL. Hillary herself didn't see it that way in the primaries. She didn't think his comm. service meant anything, but her time as First Lady and in "public service for 35 years" does?

[08politicaljunkie]

For Hillary, the Senate is the "Stepping Stone to Nowhere"

[Shadow08]

Nope, she's been a fine Senator.

[08politicaljunkie]

I didn't say she wasn't. But according to this column, it's not what she wants. Therefore, she was using it as a stepping stone -- yet, so far, she's still there and no longer happy. Hence: "Stepping Stone" to nowhere

[ThatOne4Me]

she's spoiled. she thinks everything should be handed to her because of she married to mr. bill

I don't like her as sos. but i guess obama thinks he can manage her this way.

LOL, we'll see. i hope he can. she's out of control, just like her losing campaign.

[McChimp]

Exactly, Hillary claim's her husband's experience as her own, remember her "35 years of experience on 1600 PA Ave."? What a load of baloney.

[dct1999]

Irish peace process and sniper fire are my two personal favorites.

[Shadow08]

I don't think It's Senator Clinton who is spoiled. It hasn't been long since everyone was so positive about President Obama, now that he is elected everyone is picking him apart like vultures before he is even sworn in. I think it's the people doing this that are spoiled.

You can either give him a chance or start opening the door for the republicans in 2010 and 2012.

It looks like nothing will make you folks happy.

...and that's really pretty sad...

[McChimp]

We're all giving the President elect a chance, it's his picks that we are complaining about. You should know that his picks aren't going to please everyone, especially Hillary for Secretary of State given the way she has conducted herself this year.

[CharlottesvilleVA]

This does point to the problem with seniority in both Houses of Congress. Nobody would run a business (at least not a successful one) by promoting people based on seniority or longevity. Yet that's how our national legislature decides who the managers will be.

[blueskybigstar]

We need to address this more. Don't forget this subject. You are right.