Clinton Consults Predecessors Over Diplomatic Dinner

WASHINGTON — Facing a world of diplomatic woes from Iran to North Korea, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton had the opportunity to get some heavyweight advice at a dinner held by eight of her living predecessors.

Tuesday night's private dinner at former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright's Washington home gathered top U.S. diplomats from five previous administrations with decades of hands-on experience in some of the most difficult foreign policy crises America has faced.

A spokeswoman for Albright says all but one living former secretary of state attended the event to honor Clinton: Henry Kissinger, George Shultz, James Baker, Lawrence Eagleburger, Warren Christopher, Albright, Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice.

The only one missing was Alexander Haig. No details about the conversation or menu were immediately available.

Comments

[partyofone]

05:34 PM on 06/17/2009

Hillary's first question to the distinguished group: "Quick poll, how many of your got elected president after serving as Secretary of State?" oops

[lbicomber]

07:00 PM on 06/17/2009

Partyofone's first question to the distinguished group,"How many of you agree with me that Hillary Clinton "deceitful" because she colors her hair?"

LOL.

[jmundstuk]

05:19 PM on 06/17/2009

Good. Seems obvious, doesn't it. Bet previous SoSs did same but didn't admit it as readily. Makes me proud of our administration.

[rsprags]

04:57 PM on 06/17/2009

Thank You Secretary Clinton!

[partyofone]

07:00 PM on 06/17/2009

For?

[suekzoo]

04:48 PM on 06/17/2009

Good for Hillary gathering information and advice from all sides! This is what is best about the Obama administration. They get perspective from all corners.

[Dupree]

03:13 PM on 06/17/2009

Say what you want about the Obama administration...I think leadership sets the tone of the agenda. And as all good leaders do...they lead by way of example. President Obama reached out to his opponent and rivalry...Hillary Clinton and invited her into his administration. I was first against it and was bitter over the vicious and long primaries...however...I have been convinced that this was a good decision. Long before the dust settled....President Obama was scoping on Hillary and had the position already in mind that he thought she would be perfect for....and his leadership and judgment proved to be correct. Hillary surpassed my expectation and is doing an excellent job. She is a great Secretary of State and I think it is wonderful...she is seeking advice from all the former SOS and in doing so ...each of them...President Obama and she...is setting a tone that we all would do well to adopt...be Americans first...and party affiliators second.

[CintiBlue]

03:02 PM on 06/17/2009

This is such a good spot for SOS Clinton.

I was not a fan, but she makes me proud.

[StopSexismNow]

01:28 PM on 06/17/2009

We are so incredibly fortunate former First Lady and NY Senator Hillary Clinton agreed to be our Secretary of State. She is doing an absolutely phenomenal job! Just look at all she's done since being sworn in on Jan 21st : http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/pix/2009a/index.htm

Mind blowing!

[johnie2xs]

01:40 PM on 06/17/2009

I'm winded just reading the list! So much for the rivalry question!

[andyboy]

01:25 PM on 06/17/2009

Hillary is almost like the Queen of America. She presides well. She waves nicely. She does seem sincere. I think she really feels for the little people. Godspeed Hillary. I know someday you will do something. Theres no telling what it may turn out to be but I know you will do it by Jove!

Now get back to pigging up all the free gourmet food!

[TainoBoy]

02:44 PM on 06/17/2009

Little people?

So, you are a subject of Hilary Clinton.

[xcrunner77]

01:13 PM on 06/17/2009

No details about them menu were available? But that's the most important part of the story. So much for transparency in govt.

[Melizzy]

01:09 PM on 06/17/2009

If Colin Powell was a real Republican he would not help this administration at all. Thank goodness he has some sense!! :)

[lsucwells]

02:51 PM on 06/17/2009

Colin Powell is an American first, as should we all be.

[clemenj98]

03:49 PM on 06/17/2009

lol, i was thinking the same thing about Condi!

[livingfree]

01:02 PM on 06/17/2009

Love the team that the President put together. You can actual say that they are getting things done with all the distractions that they have to deal with. I know that their jobs are the hardest but I still have the belief that they will bring all of us out of this darkness together with a little respect for each others.

[Hollywooddeed]

01:00 PM on 06/17/2009

I hope Hillary, Colin Powell and Madeleine Albright went out for a drink afterward.

[IAM4CLINTON]

12:54 PM on 06/17/2009

i applaud Sec.Hillary Clinton for reaching out to the wisdom of her predecessors- we need every brain in the game to solve the crises in the world today. When it comes to dealing with foreign enemies, allies and friends--we are all Americans, not Democrats or Republicans.
Way to go Hillary !!

[threeboys]

01:26 PM on 06/17/2009

Well said.

[Dupree]

03:09 PM on 06/17/2009

Cosigned and dated: 6/17/2009

[armedandliberal]

12:42 PM on 06/17/2009

Ok 9 diplomats sit together for dinner, It must take hours for them to decide who gets to order first

[AJ39]

01:13 PM on 06/17/2009

Well, let's hope it wouldn't be Kissinger. They'd all be sitting there still, waiting for him to grunt out his order. Seriously, though, this would have been a terrific dinner party. I hope there are some leaks about what they talked about, what they hate, how they all got along, were there any strong disagreements. I want to know!

[oldbutkickin]

12:34 PM on 06/17/2009

Madeleine Albright is intelligent, with style and charisma.

She's the best , am a big fan

[partyofone]

05:43 PM on 06/17/2009

I will remember her as a warmonger who wore brooches.