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Archive for August, 2011

Well this is becoming a daily dose!  I would hold onto these, but tomorrow there may be more, and I will lose track, so the best thing to do is update now.

Two more articles circulated today visiting the idea of  Hillary Rodham Clinton running for the highest office in the land.  They seem to be multiplying exponentially as Americans awaken from their funk  to the realities of  Obama’s leadership deficit and the history they made.

Once again we have an article that refers to op-eds  previously posted and discussed on these pages, but it is new and thus meets the requirement of my resolve to share these speculations as they come along.

From This Week.

Would Hillary Clinton have been a better president than Obama?

After the president’s much-maligned handling of the debt-ceiling crisis, a nagging question resurfaces

With liberals still irate over President Obama’s chronic caving to Republicans during Washington’s debt-ceiling crisis, pesky questions have resurfaced. On Friday’s Real Time with Bill Maher, the politically-incorrect pundit asked his panel, “Do you think people on the Left are having buyers’ remorse about the president?” — and the question, finetuned with a focus on Hillary Clinton as the erstwhile Obama alternative, has since inspired plenty of commentary. Should Democrats have picked Clinton instead?

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This, from The Grio  ends much the way the Leslie Bennetts article did – anticlimactically for Hillary supporters –  but it does raise the question.   One thing no one has mentioned so far, so I will, is that HRC is ever so much more a seasoned and powerful possibility than she was in 2008, and she was a cannonball in those campaigns.  She is even better now.  Hillary Rodham Clinton is now nuclear!  She would blow any opponent out of the water.  Just sayin’.

Cries of ‘Hillary told you so’ haunt Obama campaign

By Michael Arceneaux

8:31 AM on 08/09/2011

In hindsight, maybe Hillary Clinton had a point about Barack Obama during their highly contentious race for the Democratic presidential nomination.

At a campaign rally in Providence, Rhode Island, the newly demoted frontrunner sarcastically shaded Obama’s more optimistic view of our political system.

Then Sen. Clinton quipped, “Now I could stand up here and say, ‘Let’s just get everybody together. Let’s get unified.’ The sky will open. The lights will come down. Celestial choirs will be singing and everyone will know we should do the right thing and the world will be perfect!”

When she made those remarks, it was easy to dismiss them as musings from a politician on the “And I Am Telling You” portion of her failed campaign. However, following a recent debt ceiling deal that has only delivered smiles to members of the GOP — particularly its Tea Party faction – some Democrats are revisiting her point-of-view.

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Stay tuned. There will probably be more.

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It is not every day that you find two ace shortstops in the same room. Especially when they share the added distinction of being paragons of the American work ethic. Here is a short but sweet video from Secretary Clinton’s event at the State Department with Baseball Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr.  Today they hosted Japanese athletes from the earthquake stricken region of Fukushima who are participating in a sports exchange program between the US and Japan. The players were accompanied by the Japanese ambassador to the US Ichiro Fujisaki
Vodpod videos no longer available.

Vodpod videos no longer available.

Cal Ripken Jr. II, posted with vodpod

Bonus!  Photos as well!

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The First U.S.-Japan International Sports Exchange

Remarks

Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
Japan’s Ambassador to the United States Ichiro Fujisaki; Major League Baseball’s Cal Ripken, Jr.
Treaty Room
Washington, DC
August 9, 2011

SECRETARY CLINTON:We are so delighted to welcome the ambassador and also Cal Ripken, Jr., here today as we celebrate the wonderful program, the Japanese sports visitor program, that’s been going on for a long time. But it’s particularly meaningful to us now as we reach out to the Japanese people and show our support for them. And as I was saying to the young people and to the ambassador and to Cal, we love Japan for many reasons, but one of them is because they love baseball. So this is an extra special treat for us.And we’re very proud that Cal Ripken, Jr., who’s such an icon of the sport all over the world, is one of our public diplomacy envoys. Do you want to say anything, Cal?

MR. RIPKEN: Just an old player who loves baseball and loves to spread the good word about baseball. You can relate in sport in a people-to-people way in many different cultures across the world. I had a chance to do it China. I had a chance to do it in Nicaragua. Really looking forward to going to Japan. Been there three times, love it, and just can’t wait to go.

QUESTION: Mrs. Clinton, can I ask you one thing? What’s your message to those kids who are with you, who have gone through so much since the disaster (inaudible)?

SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, I was talking with them before we came in and expressing, once again, the very strong support and solidarity that the American people feel for the Japanese people as they rebuild from the disasters that have so devastated part of the country. The Japanese people have shown great resilience, and they are pulling together to support each other during this time. And sports is a way to bring people together.

And of course, the United States saw firsthand the resilience of the Japanese sports teams when the women’s soccer team beat the Americans in the Women’s World Cup. And I think the young women playing for the Japanese team were so motivated to show what was possible, that even though I was cheering for my American team, I was very impressed by the spirit that was demonstrated.

AMBASSADOR FUJISAKI: We were – excuse me – so moved by you and all the American people for the graciousness after our miraculous victory, and we in Japan are also very much grateful for you doing this for these students from the affected areas.

SECRETARY CLINTON: Thank you all very much. Let’s give a round of applause to the young people. (Applause.)

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Public Schedule for August 9, 2011

Public Schedule

Washington, DC
August 9, 2011

SECRETARY HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON

4:00 p.m.  Secretary Clinton meets with Japanese youth baseball and softball players participating in the first U.S.-Japan international sports exchange and Major League Baseball’s Cal Ripken Jr., at the Department of State.
(CAMERA SPRAY)

5:00 p.m.  Secretary Clinton meets with participants in the Jóvenes en Acción (Youth in Action) Exchange Program, at the Department of State.
(CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE)
Click here for more information.

5:15 p.m.  Secretary Clinton meets with Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta and National Security Advisor Tom Donilon, at the White House.
(MEDIA DETERMINED BY WHITE HOUSE)

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The Daily Beast ran this article by Leslie Bennetts today, and while she has rounded up some articles we have already posted and discussed here,  she adds voices to the chorus,  and the choir is not happy.

Hillary Told You So

As Democratic disgust with Obama’s debt fumbling spreads, Clinton supporters recall her ‘3 a.m. phone call’ warnings—and angry, frustrated liberals are muttering that she should mount a 2012 challenge.

by | August 7, 2011 8:58 PM EDT

At a New York political event last week, Republican and Democratic office-holders were all bemoaning President Obama’s handling of the debt-ceiling crisis when someone said, “Hillary would have been a better president.”

“Every single person nodded, including the Republicans,” reported one observer.

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I disagree with the “insiders” and “pundits” who say a run would be political suicide.  What other elective office might she be running for following her stint as SOS?  She has nothing to lose!  Furthermore, she was, in fact, correct!  If your answer is that it would ruin a run in 2016, really?  Do you really think,  after five-and-a-half more years of Obama’s fetch-and-carry strategy with this divided Congress,  a Democrat would stand a chance?  If a Republican beats Obama in 2012, you can kiss 2016 good-bye.

I also disagree with the Ted Kennedy analogy

Longtime analysts also remember the carnage that ensued when Sen. Ted Kennedy challenged President Carter for the 1980 Democratic nomination, fracturing the party and paving the way for Ronald Reagan’s election.

The Democratic Party has been fractured since May 31, 2008.  The PUMAs have never been addressed directly by this president, never really invited into the tent, never reconciled.  On the contrary, PUMAs were told, by Donna Brazile to stay home in 2008.   How much more fractured can the party get?   PUMA has survived these three years, and their voices are some of the ones we hear in the Bennetts article.

So, on the heels of a disastrous week with blame squarely set on his shoulders, Obama spoke to the nation once again today.  At least I think he did.  With his gaze shifting right to left to right throughout, it was hard to know whom he thought he was addressing.   When Hillary speaks she looks straight into the camera – into our eyes, and, yeah, she would have been better.  I continue to harbor hope that she will be.

I do not see Obama achieving re-election.  The Democrats need a new candidate, a better candidate, the right candidate.  The party base and this country deserve better.

UPDATE!!!!!!

I am tacking on  this one,  from AM New York,  in the same vein, because I simply cannot initiate another new post tonight.  Jess shared this with me, and I told her it is as hard to keep up with these articles as it is keeping up with her trips!  I do it because I love you, Hillary!

Hillary’s supporters on Obama’s troubles: We told you so in 2008   By Tim Herrera

As President Barack Obama continues to struggle some Democrats are beginning to wonder: Should they have backed Hillary Clinton in 2008?

Read more and VOTE!>>>>

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This is going to be so special and nice to see these two icons of the American work ethic and team spirit working together!  What a team!

Secretary Clinton, Cal Ripken, Jr. To Make Sports Diplomacy Announcement Tuesday

Notice to the Press

Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
August 5, 2011

On Tuesday, August 9, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will meet with Major League Baseball (MLB) Hall of Famer Cal Ripken, Jr., and 16 youth baseball and softball players and four coaches from the earthquake and tsunami-devastated areas of Japan who are participating in the U.S. Department of State’s first international sports exchange with Japan.

During this meeting, the Department of State will make an announcement regarding Mr. Ripken’s continued involvement in its international sports diplomacy efforts.

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Public Schedule for August 8, 2011

Public Schedule

Washington, DC
August 8, 2011

SECRETARY HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON:
9:15 a.m. Secretary Clinton meets with the assistant secretaries, at the Department of State.
(CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE)

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If you are angry or surprised at the way Obama handled the Republican Party, or, for that matter, his own Democrats,  over the course of the past several weeks culminating in the dramatic capitulation to Tea Party demands this week,  you might be interested to see how Hillary Rodham Clinton forecast this fiscal policy in South Carolina during the debate.  Most people were so distracted by the Clintons being called racists during that primary campaign that they probably missed the message here.  It is worth another look.

That is the late, lamented  Stephanie Tubbs Jones  that you see for a fleeting moment applauding  Hillary as she turns to Congressman John Lewis who is also applauding.

This debate was a powerful warning that many missed.

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When I decided to post  links to articles relating to Hillary Clinton running for POTUS, I had no idea I would be updating every couple of days.  It is not that they are coming on fast and furious.  It is that collecting and holding onto several of them for days, or a week (I originally thought this would be a weekly feature) deprives readers unnecessarily of the latest information on the subject.

Here are more.  If I see additional ones today, I will add them to this post.  This one is actually from April, but it is circulating in the news feeds today.

Will Hillary run for 2012? Poll shows 68% approval rating among Americans

The possibility of a last-minute presidential dash by Hillary Clinton has been raised after it emerged that her popularity among voters has almost reached an all-time high.

The Secretary of State’s favourable rating among Americans has soared to 66 per cent from just 61 per cent in July 2010.

This is from today. I have no idea who the real sources are for this, I am simply sharing and you can draw your own conclusions.

HILLARY CLINTON TO CHALLENGE BARACK OBAMA IN 2012!

Posted on Sunday, August 7th, 2011
By

WASHINGTON, DC –  Sources close to Hillary Clinton say  she will announce her run for President in 2012.

SNIP

…WWN has learned  that in recent weeks, Bill Clinton, has been meeting with democratic operatives in Washington and grass roots leaders early primary states of Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina.  Bill thinks this time around, Hillary can easily wrestle the nomination from a weakened Barack Obama.

That is what some of us have been speculating for months.

SNIP

Republicans and Tea Party Patriots are… very worried.  VERY worried.

Read more>>>

We have a resident mole who snoops and spies on the Republican and right wing blogs and radio shows. This is what Jen has been telling me for months! That the Republicans are terrified that she will run.

One  Keatsian comment, I have loved that picture of Hillary from the first moment I laid eyes on it and used it as my avatar for a long time.  I support her because she is strong, smart, and right, but could she BE any cuter?

Finally, here is a follow-up from Matthew Dickinson.

A Clinton Challenge: Good for Democrats, and Good For The Nation

Categories: Uncategorized The reaction to my last post, (cross listed here at Salon) was a replay of the 2008 primary Democratic primary battle; closely fought, with passions running deep on both sides.  Strong cases were made both for and against my argument, made in the guise of a generic Democrat, that Hillary Clinton should challenge President Obama in 2012.  Boiling down the comments to their essence, supporters of a Clinton run make two essential points:  First, Obama is in electoral trouble, and Clinton will likely run stronger in the general election, particularly among independents.  Second, Obama has had his shot, and the results just haven’t been good.

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Time and again, in press conferences following bilaterals with oppressive regimes, Secretary of State Clinton, when asked what subjects she brought up, or whether she discussed human rights, has responded that we work with the government that is there. She does the best that she can in that respect, and we applaud every effort she makes.

Many Americans think our own government is “broken.” The past week was a rollercoaster from which many Americans were thrown off. A good many of the casualties were very likely supporters of President Obama in his 2008 campaign of “Hope & Change.”

We have yet to see an Obama campaign platform for 2012. My Google and Facebook sidebars have yet to assign him a running mate, unless it is Michelle – she is there with him in a few ads.

If the government is broken,  it assuredly is not only the Executive Branch. Congress has contributed in spades to the dysfunction as we all have witnessed. People look, though, to the President of the United States, the POTUS, to resolve differences and to fight on the side of the people who elected him or HER. People look to the POTUS to present plans that reflect the platform on which he/she campaigned and to fight for them.

We have seen none of that from the current POTUS in the recent economic crisis.  None! The leadership vacuum will be filled. That is certain. Nature abhors a vacuum. How and by whom remains to be seen.

As things stand, here in the U.S.A., “There’s no there there.” Twice in the course of a week that Gertrude Stein quote has erupted. Once here and once in a conversation today with my “Hillary Friends.” We need a little “there!” We need someone who is there. We need someone who will fight, and not just to get re-elected – to fight for the people.

It was Reverend Amy who contributed these photos to No Quarter .   Thanks Amy!    But  I have also long seen them in Uppity Woman’s sidebar. We need a leader. Not a “Leader from Behind.” One who puts (gender redaction here) HERself out in front, presents plans, talks to the press without a teleprompter because she KNOWS what she means to say.

History be dashed!  The history has been made.  It is bleak.  We need different history.

Hillary in the rain.  (One of my All-time favs!)

Oh, Lord!  Obama in the rain.

To quote Marat /Sade – loosely. “We want HER NOW!”

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Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton put forth some tough words yesterday and today for tyrants, terrorists, and human rights violators.  The first of her comments appeared here yesterday as part of her press availability with Canadian Foreign Minister Baird.  The ensuing statements are press releases issued last night and today.  If anyone has any doubts that this is a strong,  scrappy lady,  don’t let the ruffles and pearls mislead you.  She is all girl, and she countenances no despots.   Please read these.

Following remarks on Syria by her Canadian counterpart yesterday.

Remarks With Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird After Their Meeting

Remarks

Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
Treaty Room
Washington, DC
August 4, 2011
…SNIP…

SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, I think your [Baird’s] description is all too accurate. We’ve seen the Asad regime continue and intensify its violent assault against its own people this week. Sometimes you lose sight of the incredible tragedy unfolding on the streets by just looking at the numbers which are so numbing, but the shooting death of a one-year-old recently by the Syrian regime’s tanks and troops is a very stark example of what is going on.

We think to date, the government is responsible for the deaths of more than 2,000 people of all ages, and the United States has worked very hard to corral and focus international opinion to take steps toward a unified response to the atrocities that are occurring. We stand fully behind the UN Security Council presidential statement, which was agreed to last evening, which condemns the widespread violation of human rights and the use of force against civilians by Syrian authorities. And we call, along with the UN Security Council, on the authorities to end all violence against affected towns, comply with their obligations under applicable international law, allow immediate and unfettered access for international humanitarian agencies and workers.

As I’ve said before and as others in our government have said, President Asad has lost his legitimacy to govern the Syrian people. We continue to support the Syrians themselves in their efforts to begin a peaceful and orderly transition to democracy. I met on Tuesday with a group of U.S.-based Syrian activists and members of the Syrian American community to express our solidarity and sympathy for all Syrian victims of the Asad regime’s abuses. The activists reaffirmed the internal opposition’s vision of a transitional plan for a Syria that will be representative, inclusive, and pluralistic, for a new united Syria with a government subject to the rule of law, and fully respectful of the equality of every Syrian irrespective of sect, ethnicity, or gender. And I encouraged the activists to work closely with their colleagues inside Syria to create such a unified vision.

So we are seized of the concerns posed by what is happening in Syria, and we know that it’s taken time to pull together a broader international coalition to speak out against what is happening in Syria, but we are committed to doing all we can to increase the pressure, including additional sanctions, but not just U.S. sanctions, because frankly, we don’t have a lot of business with Syria. We need to get Europeans and others. We need to get the Arab states. We need to get a much louder, more effective chorus of voices that are putting pressure on the Asad regime, and we’re working to obtain that.

This press release was issued last night.

Preventing Mass Atrocities and Serious Human Rights Violations

Press Statement

Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
Washington, DC
August 4, 2011

Preventing mass atrocities and serious human rights violations is both a powerful moral imperative and a compelling strategic interest for the United States. The new interagency Atrocities Prevention Board announced by President Obama today will develop cross-cutting strategies to prevent atrocities and ensure that senior officials throughout our government are warned about emerging threats. And for the first time, we will explicitly bar persons identified as organizing or participating in war crimes, crimes against humanity, and certain serious violations of human rights from entering the United States.

These steps, accompanied by a thorough interagency review of our practices and capabilities, will improve our ability to prevent and respond to future mass atrocities and human rights violations. They will help us put our principles into practice and protect more people in more places.

This one came out today in the wake of the reprehensible delay by the government of Sudan to grant flight clearance to UN helicopters attempting to evacuate wounded peacekeeping forces who died of their wounds as a result of the government’s obstruction.

The Deaths of Four UN Peacekeepers in Abyei

Press Statement

Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
Washington, DC
August 5, 2011

The United States is deeply concerned by the deaths of four United Nations peacekeepers whose vehicles struck and detonated a land mine in the Abyei region this week, and by the Government of Sudan’s response to this incident. We offer our deepest condolences to the families of the fallen, to the people of Ethiopia and to the United Nations.

We are alarmed by reports that the Government of Sudan delayed granting the necessary flight clearances to allow the expeditious medical evacuation of the injured peacekeepers and threatened to shoot down any UN helicopter that attempted to access the area without approval. Three wounded soldiers died during this unnecessary delay. The United States is committed to ensuring that the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) has the political support to carry out its important and difficult mandate under challenging circumstances and strongly condemns the Government of Sudan’s non-compliance with its obligation and its obstruction of the work of the United Nations.

This tragic incident also underscores the importance of establishing peace and security in Abyei, and between Sudan and South Sudan. We urge the Governments of Sudan and South Sudan to fulfill their agreement to withdraw their forces immediately from the Abyei area, and to allow full and unrestricted access to UNISFA personnel.

Just a personal note: Anything with the word “interagency” in it smacks of the QDDR.  So President Obama may have announced the Atrocities Prevention Board, but it was very probably Anne-Marie Slaughter’s  State Department QDDR team that effected this coordination.  Hillary Clinton does not care for kudos as long as the job gets done, but I just thought I would mention that the hard work was probably done by Foggy Bottom folks and not the White House.

President could be an easier job for her.  Others do the work, she announces, or she signs.  Oh, wait!  That’s how OBAMA does the job!  She would certainly bring a different work ethic to the White House.  Just sayin’!

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