Remarks Introducing Nominee for Secretary of State, Senator John Kerry at His Senate Foreign Relations Committee Confirmation Hearing
Testimony
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of StateHart Office BuildingWashington, DCJanuary 24, 2013
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. It’s very good to be back and to have this opportunity to join with Senator Warren and Senator McCain in introducing President Obama’s nominee to be the next Secretary of State. I was very honored when John asked me to take part in this because John is the right choice to carry forward the Obama Administration’s foreign policy, and I urge his speedy confirmation.As we’ve heard from both the Chairman and the Ranking Member and just now Senator Warren, he will bring a record of leadership and service that is exemplary. He has a view of the world that he has acted on, first as that young returning veteran from Vietnam who appeared before this committee, through the time that he served with such distinction as its chairman. He’s been a valued partner to this Administration and to me personally. He has fought for our diplomats and development experts. He understands the value of investing in America’s global leadership. And as we work to implement the Accountability Review Board’s recommendations, he is committed to doing whatever it takes to prevent another attack and protect our people and posts around the world.
Now, working together, we’ve achieved a great deal. But the State Department and USAID have a lot of unfinished business, from Afghanistan to nonproliferation to climate change to so much. We need to sustain our renewed engagement in the Asia Pacific, continue ramping up economics as a tool for advancing American interests and jobs, pressing forward with unleashing the potential of the world’s women and girls, keep championing the kind of smart power that looks to innovation and partnerships with governments and people alike to promote peace and stability.
John has built strong relationships with leaders in governments here and around the world, and he has experience in representing our country in fragile and unpredictable circumstances. He was in Pakistan and Afghanistan a few years ago, and we were consulting over the phone. He played an instrumental role in working with President Karzai at that time to accept the results of the election and to move forward. I had to call Harry Reid and ask Harry not to schedule any votes so that John could continue to stay there to see that mission through. But that’s what he does. He is a determined and effective representative of the United States, has been as a senator, will be as Secretary.
Let me close by saying that leading our diplomats and development experts is a great honor. And every day, as I testified yesterday, I’ve seen firsthand their skill, their bravery, their unwavering commitment to our country. I’ve been proud to call them colleagues and to serve as Secretary of State. And I’m very pleased that John will be given the chance, subject to confirmation, to continue the work of a lifetime on behalf of our country.
Thank you.
###
Still4Hill 
Does anyone else see a tad of remorse on some of these Democrats face who stabbed Hillary in the back in 2008?
LikeLike
I can attest that Menendez wasn’t one of them.
LikeLike
Sen. Cardin supported her also in 2008. Not Casey or Kerry.
LikeLike
But Kerry was her pick to succeed her for sure. At the Saban Center function where they honored her with that tribute video, he was there. Susan Rice was not. I watched on CSPAN, and at the end, when the people were all socializing, she and Kerry embraced and she whispered in his ear and he in hers and that was when I knew he was her pick. I also knew that even if Obama wanted Rice he was going to end up with Kerry. They don’t mess with Hill.
LikeLike
I guess he saw the light after working with her these past four years.
LikeLike
Hillary has class. She has let bygones be bygones with a lot more grace than I would have under the same circumstances. The diplomatic community will miss her sense of humor, charm and intelligence.
LikeLike
I feel like she should be wearing her foot ball helmt running and slinging these suckers off her and kiss her arm in he endzone like collin kaepernik.
LikeLike
This is cute and funny.
http://feministing.com/2013/01/24/how-to-deal-with-a-mansplainer-starring-hillary-clinton-in-gifs/
LikeLike
That’s hillarious
LikeLike
😀
LikeLike
The right just doesn’t know what to do with it’s self when it comes to hillary. Loved he organizing the desk.
LikeLike
Also rearranging her papers … How many times have we seen her do that? She is never satisfied with the way the papers are organized.
LikeLike
Not only is she truly astounding and amazing as a person of accomplishment but you are as well for so assiduously, accurately, carefully chronicling her life and career in the last four of her 20-plus years. Thank you. I always come to read it but rarely take time to just say thank you.
LikeLike
Wow! I am truly honored. I subscribe to your amazing, informative, and entertaining blog, and read it regularly. It makes me wish I taught history. (I considered it, and went in a different direction – unfulfilled alternative). Thank you so much for you kind words. It is a great compliment coming from you.
LikeLike
ha – well, it may be flattering to hear but it is fact – your site is so comprehensive and you provide direct factual information without the filters of so many pundits. And in allowing Hillary Clinton to speak for herself, its the best way for those open to learning and understanding the complexity of her responsibilities come to recognize what an astounding human being she truly is. And you have played a part in helping others through that process.
LikeLike
It remains an enormous compliment given the source. Your work is prodigious and given his last gig, Oliver Stone should consider another mini-series with you. I can picture it. In the beginning I was a bit slipshod, but things fell into a pattern about halfway through her first year at state – especially after a friend said that I was keeping the archives. I was? Well, I had better get to it! So I got serious about it. I don’t know where this goes once she leaves DOS because I eschew secondary sources. I hope, after she rests and makes her decision as to what she will do, that there will be some kind of primary feed that I can access so that I can avoid the mass media. Thank you again. I can’t tell you how honored I am that you like my Hillary blog!
LikeLike
Someone was true about the glasses not being regular:
“Clinton’s spectacles appear to be outfitted with a Fresnel prism, which is used to treat double vision.
Clinton spokesman Philippe Reines has confirmed to Daily Intelligencer that Clinton will “be wearing these glasses instead of her contacts for a period of time because of lingering issues stemming from her concussion.”
“With them on she sees just fine,” Reines assured us. “In fact, she got a kick out of your seven expressions and captions when she saw them crystal clear.”
I loved how Reines responded to it! 🙂
LikeLike
Funny:
http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2013/01/hillary-clinton-glasses-photos-adjusting-benghazi.html
LikeLike
Cute, thanks for posting it.
LikeLike
Oh my goodness! A Fresnel prism! That’s what they use in lighthouses! Thank you for sharing this. I knew it had something to do with the concussion. Awwwwwww… I pray that she gets completely well soon.
LikeLike
And it’s a stick-on! All hail technology!!!!
LikeLike
I’m trying to get used to the idea of seeing Kerry do “her” job. I always found him to be uninteresting and pompous. We’ll go from a smiling, charming Hillary to a guy who looks like a funeral director.
Oh, well……….
LikeLike
[…] a meeting at the White House. The following day, she returned to the same Senate committee to introduce her successor, John Kerry, to the committee he chaired. It went […]
LikeLike