Clinton's First Day: Welcomed At State Department (VIDEO)

WASHINGTON — Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton has kicked off her new position as chief diplomat by introducing herself to State Department diplomats and employees.

Clinton's appointment was confirmed overwhelmingly by the Senate on Wednesday.

Watch video of Clinton being welcomed:

She arrived for work under sunny morning skies at the main entrance to State Department headquarters and entered Thursday morning to a burst of applause and cheers from hundreds of department employees.

She told career diplomats and political appointees that "not everybody's ideas will make it into policy."

And Clinton also said, "This is not going to be easy. ... But if it weren't hard, somebody else could do it."

Read more from AP.

Comments

[gdaddo]

The DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee changed the rules (in Obama's favor) on May 31.

They changed them again during the summer, so that Florida and Michigan wouldn't hold any grudges against the party.

The DNC changed the convention rules so that there would be no open roll call vote.

Once elected, Obama treated Dean and Brazile to the view from under the bus.

What part of "Chicago style" don't you understand.

[EgyptianMysterySchool]

During the primaries, Hillary's attempts to change the rules in the middle of the game caused me to lose a lot of respect for her.

However, I like Hillary's moxie - she actually reminds me a lot of my wife. Intelligent, tenacious, competitive and highly capable. I'm sure she'll do a great job as s.o.s. and like my wife, anyone that underestimates her will make a huge mistake.

[docpooh]

Folks, the hate-fest is long ovah! If Obama and Hillary can get along, then y'all damn sure can! Move on with yo' lives! The primaries iz long gone. I admit to "blowing a few gaskets" because of my views about Hillary. But after the Convention, I got over it (and luckily so did the rest of the Party.) So you still angry Obama supporters remember that Hillary campaigned hard for Barack! I believe that she could well make a great SOS. I am certainly pulling for her. It's good to see her happy. And still bitter Hillary supporters, Obama was in no way obligated to appoint Hillary to be SOS. No other winning candidate would have put his fiercest opponent in a position so close to him and of such critical importance. He was NOT forced to consider her for the position and probably was advised against it! Apparently, when she heard about it she was suprised too. Frankly, if I were Obama, I would have been petty and not appointed people who opposed me, at least not given them prized positions! Folks, I can't believe that you are still revelling in your Hillary/Obama anger! How you gonna walk forward with your head turned backwards? All of you-- GET OVER IT! Obama is President. Hillary is his choice to be one of the most powerful people in his administration. Live with it, and wish them both well. Our country and the world's fate depends on it .

[weatherwaxx]

The welcome Hillary Clinton received says volumes about her predecessor, doesn't it?

[tiredofwaiting]

actually, it speaks volumes about her!

we are so lucky to have her there!

[strangerinthenight]

Smart and Power !

[JinMN]

Congrats Sec. Clinton! Now hopefully team O can get to work soon!

[neurologymatters]

Congratulations Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

[NevaforLeadership]

Note that Clinton has not been trusted with the hot spots.

[tanbro]

I LOVE HILL

[lisa12345]

This is great, just hope she realizes that Americans are so tired of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Please, please, end this conflict by being proactive. America can take a strong leadership and push for '67 borders--and still be friends of Israel.

[NevaforLeadership]

It is not Hillary Clinton who will be dealing with the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. It is Mitchel.

Bet she's made as hell about that.

[Patrick Postrehovsky]

I don't think Condi Rice got a rock star welcome on her first day! Love you Hill! Best of luck!

The WHOLE World loves you!

[Lerk4]

She seems genuinely touched by the welcome. I'm glad for her and know she's gonna kick some butt.

[NevaforLeadership]

Just you wait.

[JinMN]

Ha ha.

[hollyglightly123]

My friend's in that footage. She's the blonde wearing a black & white trimmed suit, shaking her hand. So cool! She said that the ppl at State say that no Secretary in recent memory has received such a welcome.

[WorldGoneWild]

It looks like the State Dept employees are saying "Free at Last"! Welcome SOS Clinton!

[slg]

Fantastic photo! had to look twice to see which finger.