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

[darker]

Hillary Clinton is a great pick for SEC'Y OF STATE. Bravo, Obama.

The US Senate is A STAGNANT POLITICAL CESSPOOL of guys who are
NOT STATESMEN and are after their own personal power and interests.
No wonder they are so frustrating to work with!

Hillary will get more done outside the Senate than in it.

[McChimp]

In the Senate, Hillary could have pushed for universal healthcare, which is her passion.

As Secretary of State, Hillary will have to carry water for President Obama and enforce his foreign policy, Hillary has NO SAY or power.

[macbabe]

SoS is highest-ranking member of the cabinet.

[Fitzy]

She's part of that cesspool of arrogant egotists who are after their own personal power and interests.

[edwarvir]

Disenchanted or not that is where she belongs with
all of her fake drama. She will never be as good
at this job as Condi Rice was, because she is not
a team player. If this nomination goes through
President O is going to need a separate spy cabinet
to watch over her and slick Willy. fasten your seat belts
the S is about to fly

[cdub1991]

Rice has been a completely unproductive SOS. She was put there because they needed a warm body in the chair and she had failed as the National Security Adviser. Since foreign policy wasn't being run out of State in this administration, nobody cared what she did.

At least now State will have a leader that has a pair.

[learnsomething]

""At least now State will have a leader that has a pair.""

Oh really? I always thought Hillary is a man.

[Shadow08]

What has Rice accomplished?

[riverhouse]

No one could be worse than Rice. She was totally ineffective, interested in nothing but her clothes, her photo ops, and her relationship with Bush.

[dct1999]

Rice is like her boss...use­less.

[GoCards1978]

The Senate is the most constipated body in the Federal government. Can you blame her for feeling diappointed?

[McChimp]

Sure, being a junior Senator just doesn't have the ring of Madame President, nor does it have the power or seniority, when will she get over it?

[macbabe]

when she is SoS? Madame Clinton.

[HerbTee]

Well, she was a member of the Senate for what, eight years! She was a part of that constipation. Perhaps she should have taken a daily dose of Correctol to help loosen things up in the Senate.

[RadhaColalurver]

She barely had any power. How could she be a part of the constipation? It's really the leaders -- the ones who head committees, the majority leader, the house leaders, etc. who deserve the blame.

[youcannotbeserious]

I agree wholeheartedly, that place is filled with the likes of crotchety old dudes.

The one who got convicted, Ted Stevens is the longest"serving" member who is now a thief not to mention the sickest who decide legislation.

Hillary is a doer, and if at least 18 million people think she has what it takes to be president she should be appointed to something, not go back to warm the bench.

WE are going to do better as a nation, working with all cylinders instead of political BS the Bushes wanted for our country, their motto party before country will never play again in this country.

I think Obama is doing things like a scientist perform an experiment, trusting on what works and widom and expertise from other professors in respective categories.

We the people are thankful for some intelligent people leading the country, finally finally

I hope the right blogs are drowned out by the successes of
the next administration.

[HerbTee]

"Hillary is a doer, and if at least 18 million people think she has what it takes to be president she should be appointed to something, not go back to warm the bench."

Yeah, 18 million questionable votes and what did she actually win? Nothing! So now you want to give her something.­..anything­, as a consolation prize for her effort at our expense and at the expense of the Obama Administration so she and Bill could potentially run rogue together? Thanks, but NO thanks!

Why don't we "give" McCain something too while we're at it. He actually made the ReTHUG nomination and actually ran for POTUS as a war hero. McCain certainly won more that 18 million votes. Why are we not rewarding McCain by simply "giving" him something too? After all, he "earned" it, right?

[cdub1991]

The Senate is where fat egos go to die. They hang around long enough to get their little chairmanships where they can lean back in their cushy chairs and flex.

Good argument for term limits.

[whsmith]

Of course she is, it was supposed to be her stepping stool directly back into the White House and it didn't work out.

[TN60]

Not to mention that she can't be Queen Bee when there are 99 other Kings and Queens. NY was always a stepping stone to the WH and everyone knew it. That is why she carpet bagged her way into NY.

I have to believe that Obama knows what he is doing and hope that he can take her to task, if she gets out of line as Madam Secretary and not play it as Queen of the World and undercut Joe Biden.

I'm putting my trust in Obama, certainly not her....

[dct1999]

co-signing

[thedirtman]

Just an observation. SOS Hillary Clinton and SOC Bill Richardson should be traveling together during their cabinet memberships. Bill Richardson can go in first in case of sniper fire and get the serious negotiations rolling. Meanwhile, Hillary can appease and distract the press and the paparazzi from interfering until she arrives fashionably late to add her popular impact. When you think about it, what a team!

[swift goat pet for truth]

I am not sure what kind of team it might or might not be.

I AM sure it will be like a zillion times better than ANYTHING we have had in the last 7.8 years.
But that is damming with faint praise.

Paris Hilton as SOS and Lindsey Lohan as SOC would be a million times better than ANYTHING we have had in the last 7.8 years.

[thedirtman]

I was impressed with Paris' short-lived campaign, but didn't she pick Rihanna to run with?

[kynandog]

A HuffPo story that's abbreviated, and to read the rest of the story, you follow a link to ..... another HuffPo story. WTF?? Is that really necessary?

[mjb5406]

I guess that, rather than duplicate all of the original content, it's better to just follow the link. There has been a lot written here about Hillary's ascent to Secretary of State.

[IntelligentOnly]

Yes indeed....­......you guys didnt forget to mention "the 18 million votes"
One would think after Obama won about 60 million votes, you people would stop talking about her!!

[TN60]

I'm still not convinced that she actually got 18 M votes. She was counting all of FLA/MI, remember !!!

[Tugar]

I've admired and supported Hillary Clinton since her days in the White House as our nation's First Lady, and I sent letters to my state representatives telling them so. But I cannot understand all this back and forth "will she or won't she", controversy concerning the Sec. of State appointment.

I would like to see her run again for President in 2016, and Lord knows I would support her. But I do not want her to accept the job as Sec. of State if she does not want to work as a faithful team player with the Obama Administration. I really want President Elect, Obama to succeed in pulling our nation out of our present economic, and global situation and if there is people around him that do not want to work with him, then I believe they should remain where they are.

[CaptainVideo]

Don't you think Obama is in a better position to determine whether or not Hillary will be a good team player than you are?

[Shadow08]

Bingo. I think Barack Obama knows what he's doing. He didn't get where he's at by making stoopid decisons or high level blunders. I think people have been so used to the American president making horrible appointments every step of the way the last 8 years, we are just used to second guessing everything. We've lost confidence in the Whitehouse and justifiably so.

[McChimp]

Hillary Clinton hasn't and never will be a team player, she has been all about herself first. Her presidential campaign proved that.

Campaigning for Obama? She did it late in the game when he already had an insurmountable lead over John McCain, and she probably only did it to save her image, but right now we are back to square one since Obama won. Now Hillary is "disenchanted" with being a junior Senator, it's just doesn't have the same sound as Madam President Hillary Rodham Clinton nor does it have as much seniority or power. Hillary Clinton is a few fries short of being another George W. Bush in terms of lust for greater power.

[RadhaColalurver]

She started campaigning in August; July if you count the unity event. Get your facts straight.

[eneerg]

some of you forget who Is the "boss", I do not think that most people Know the strength of this man.

[Kache]

Why does everyone assume Hillary wont be a team player? Tom Dachel and Bill Richardson have had, and excercised, far more independence in their careers than Hillary has.

A subservient personality is not what makes a team member a player. Team leadership is what creates the team.

[anelder]

I'm impressed by all these comment.s Must do something to get you all to the head of the class. To the pinnacle of leadership. Your all so briliant in your 'know it all status'. Love to get some therapist in to analyze just who and what you all are.

[blueskybigstar]

I admit I'm mental. Look at people's profiles and then their comments. Click on the titles above each comment and the website will take you to wherever the comment was made.

[blueskybigstar]

Be careful not to become ad dicted to this site. With controversial words, type them weird. Like h a t e and b o m b or hateandbomb or h ate or bo mb because, if you type them regular, the computer cen sor will prevent your comment from being released immediately.

[Paganus]

This has nothing to do with the pinnacle of leadership. This is a forum in which citizens are engaging with issues they feel are important. If you feel threatened by an engaged younger citizenry (as you obviously do by your screen name), you should feel free to avoid fora like these.

[blueskybigstar]

I don't think he meant to be as negative as you took it.

[whsmith]

Welcome to the internet

[dct1999]

I guess you missed the point of an open OPINION forum. Funny.

[CaptainVideo]

Obama's idea of change is to put an end to the bitter partisanship, the backbiting, finger pointing, and score settling that has led to gridlock and paralysis, so that nothing gets done, by building as broad a coalition of Democrats from ALL factions of the Party, independents, and independent Republicans, as possible to support his agenda and move it forward.

Bringing Hillary into the administration and even letting Liebermann keep his charimanship, as long as he stays with the program, are all consistent with this concept of change.

The people who are dismayed by these actions heard Obama call for change, but instead of detemining what he meant by change, read their own and different concepts of change into what he said. Obama is doing exactly what he promised to do.

[McChimp]

And it's just a coincidence that Hillary is "disenchanted" with the Senate just before Barack Obama names her Secretary of State?

What's going to happen when Hillary is tired of carrying water for Obama overseas, is she going to be "disenchanted" with being Secretary of state as well? Barack Obama needs people who will be there all the time, not people who could change their tune at a minutes notice.

[macbabe]

Have you ever been in a job and got frustrated and lost interest and have it effect your whole attitude and feel stuck...if you don't LOVE what you're doing, it drags you and the job down... if being SoS gives her passion again and drive to be the best she can, let her at it.... I will say however, she got her senate seat on the tails of Bill and maybe expected to much to fast. There are MANY other senators that have been there a lot longer and had to fight hard for their position..­.O seems to have a lot of compassion for her and believes in her, so let's give her a chance too.

[CaptainVideo]

Don't you think that Obama is in a better position to determine whether or not Hillary will enthusiastically support his programs than you are?

[GrainneKathleen]

agreed. i thimk we will see it more clearly when he becomes, as or current occupant put it, "the decider"

[Ugonna]

I knew what he meant by change, but still think its foolish to bring her in. He can work with her in her capacity as Senator. She said she looks forward to working with him on healthcare reform. She had always implied that was an important issue for her. Why change now? Just cause you're "disenchanted"? I don't trust her, and change or no change, its not a good idea to have her that close. You can work with and respect her, without trusting her THAT much!

[Okieborn]

I am very disenchanted with the Clinton's and their Slime Machine.
Slick Willy will go far with Hillary's SOS appointment.
The Clinton's are back OH CRAP !!!!

[McChimp]

The Clintons just don't know when to quit. They didn't learn in the primaries after Barack won 11 in a row that he could not be stoppped, they didn't learn when the Supers started turning to Barack and it became MATHEMATICALLY impossible for them to win, they didn't learn when Hillary wasn't selected to be VP, they just DON'T LEARN. The Clintons have always been about themselves first, and it's no surprise that Al Gore didn't and still doesn't want to be associated with them.

[trudem2]

But Obama does want to be associated with them, get it now?
My guess is his assessment is closer to the truth than yours.

[CaptainVideo]

Overcoming this kind of devisiveness in order to move his programs forward is exactly what Obama means by "change."

[blueskybigstar]

This is all about them avoiding civil charges which could go criminal if the dispositions ever began. If his case wasn't worthy it would have been thrown out a long time ago. It has been going on for almost six years. I believe they have already been fined $40,000 stemming from the evidence in the case. Look at westcoastsc's links

[trudem2]

Okay,...so smart, intelligent, connected politicians have no place in this Obama admininstration according to your view? Thank God the PE doesn't share your view.

[McChimp]

The Clintons may be smart, but unfortunately they use those smarts to cater to their own special interests first instead of the American people's interests first. If they cared about what the American people wanted, they would have conceded defeat after Barack Obama won 11 primaries in a row, and after it became MATHEMATICALLY IMPOSSIBLE for Hillary Clinton to win the nomination.

[Whatashame]

Our anger should be directed at Bush for what he has done to our country and the economy not at obama for choosing educated, knowledgeable people who are competent and will dig us out of this hole we're in. I don't care who he choose, once they can help us clean up this mess that is what is important. Bush should resign immediately. I've never in my entire life come across someone like Bush who is sooo inept and stupid.

[SCG]

Is her office bugged? Because if she coughs, it's reported the next day.

[macbabe]

no kidding... do you think constant reporting of everything she does will EVER end, no... all eyes on the State Department, which may be a good thing and keep people interested­...

[TN60]

Not with her "court" around to amplify whatever it takes to keep the Queen in the news.

[whsmith]

no, she just has 200 gossipy aids and friends in Washington who go out drinking and socializing with the press daily

[cdub1991]

Mind if I indulge in some speculative psychobabble? Word is that Hillary was depressed for a while after the primaries. She's disenchanted with the Senate. She's--what--60? Her next realistic chance at the presidency would be 2016. Hard to run for the presidency at 68. Not impossible--but hard. Maybe Hillary is "done." Maybe now she just wants to be part of something successful and good, instead of being remembered as Bill's wife, who never quite achieved the greatness of which she was capable. Maybe now she just wants to go out (politically speaking) in style as part of a successful and historic administration. Maybe she wants to end her political career as something other than just an also ran.

Like I said--just speculation. I've just never had as negative a view of Hillary as I've had of her husband, so I'm willing to give her the benefit of the doubt.

[Ugonna]

except that's not what the article said. If that's the case though, then I would feel for her. But she will remembered for all she endeavored. Her transition from First Lady to Senator was admirable, and I'd have more respect for her presidential effort, if, well, you know. She doesn't "let" me feel anything positive for her. Everytime I try, she does something else I wasn't expecting that turns me off. Anyway, off topic. she doesn't have to be depressed. Alot of women say they were inspired, she can take that with her as a valued achievement.

[cdub1991]

Points all well taken. She has shown a willing to do whatever she felt was necessary to win. I also agree that she has lived a remarkable life, of which she can be proud. I guess I'm just more interested in understanding folks than in judging them; It makes them more predictable. That's not soft and fuzzy in my eyes.

[westcoastsc]

posted without comment

http://video.yahoo.com/watch/1771494/5876566

[Kache]

Totally agree cdub! Excellent speculation. Walk a mile in her shoes and you get a different view....

[Whatashame]

Hillary is and was a team player when she gave up her delegates at the democratic convention so Obama can become the nominee. She did over 70 campaign stops for him. She gave an excellent convention speech. Everytime I hear people say the Clintons especially Hillary is for herself, I take a step back and give her the benefit of the doubt. She has always been there for Obama since his nomination and I believe she will be there for him now that he's the president. Give her the benefit of the doubt. After watching GPS today on CNN, Obama made the right choice for SOS. You need someone who has already established a relationship with many of the world leaders if you are going to beg for money to clean up the mess BUSH has us in. God knows she is smart, articulate and has excellent insight into how the global economy works.

[McChimp]

She sure changed her tune from saying Barack Obama only had a speech, saying that she and John McCain had passed the Commander in Chief test and were more qualified to be President than Barack Obama, and also saying that Bill Ayers, Reverend Wright, and Tony Rezko clouded his judgment. Funny how John McCain's campaign was the virtual same, except with Joe the Plumber thrown in, and now the neo cons are cheering Hillary on.

[Ugonna]

I don't care if she did a million campaign stops. First off, it was events, not just campaign stops. The number of campaign stops were not up to 70. Also. sometimes its about quality, not quantity.

[Paganus]

Absolutely right on the money. Late in the campaign season, Billie-boy showed up here (NH) and spoke for an hour. He was very unconvincing in his few words about Obama, and spent most of the time plugging for longtime Clintonite lackey Jeanne Shaheen. HRC's event appearances were pretty staid as well.