A Political Blog Post

Senate panel backs Clinton as secretary of state

"The Senate Foreign Relations Committee voted overwhelmingly on Thursday for Hillary Rodham Clinton to become the next secretary of state, with Democrats predicting her leadership would mark a turn from warfare toward diplomacy.

The 16-1 approval by the committee paves the way for a full Senate vote after President-elect Barack Obama takes office on Jan. 20. Clinton is not expected to hit any major roadblocks, with Republicans and Democrats alike praising her acumen on the issues.

But concerns about her husband's charitable fundraising overseas remain. Sen. David Vitter of Louisiana, who was among several Republicans who raised the issue at her confirmation hearing earlier this week, cast the lone opposing vote.

In a statement, Vitter called former President Bill Clinton's foundation a "multimillion dollar minefield of conflicts of interest."

"This could produce explosions at any minute, particularly concerning the Middle East where we least need them," Vitter said."

Just my opinion... but I strongly disagree with her being grilled about her husbands work. Her "fitness" for the job depending on what her husband has done or will do. I understand that the Clinton family is not your average, run of the mill, American family... but dang! I don't want a potential employer judging me on things my husband does or is responsible for. It wouldn't be right. It's not right for me, for her, or for any one.

Yes, I understand that they started this "two for one" thing way back when he was first running for President back in 1991. But that's over now. She's made that plain. And so has he. I think they ought to confirm her (or not) on her own merits and let Bill go on running his Global Initiative deal. How many of those members of congress have spouses who work for lobbying firms? How is that not a "conflict of interest"? Could someone please s'plain that to me? I'd like to see every one of them fess up to that.

And yes, I understand that she's likely to be confirmed without much trouble now that the Foreign Relations Committee has voted. But still... it was wrong! And further more and on top of that it was grandstanding on Vitter's, and others, part to even bring it up. And I don't understand why more women aren't angry as hell about it. Ya know... in the Middle East a woman cannot get a driver licence or a job or do other things, unless a male member of her family gives their permission.... now the "Greatest Deliberative Body" in the world, is making a big deal about a women's husband when considering her for a job she's immanently qualified for? Why doesn't that outrage more folks? It outrages me. But maybe that's just me.

Anywhoos... just watched Bush's final (yippee!!!! I'm ecstatic) State of the Union address. Can someone please tell me what drugs he's doing? I'd like to believe the last eight years have been that great, too. Sweet Jehu! What planet has that devil been living on? I think the vacuous, brain dead idiot really believes he was that good for our nation.

One spot of good news today: A plane crash landed in the Hudson River today and no one was killed. Okay, that's bad and then good. Very bad, and then very very good. And as a bonus, that story is trumping GW's last prime time address to the nation. Sort of like: okay George, there's the door, bye-bye; don't call us, we'll call you; don't let the door hit you; time's up, you're done; WOULD YOU JUST LEAVE ALREADY!!!