Republicans Go Easy on Hillary

Republicans Go Easy on Hillary in First Day of Confirmation Hearings


Wednesday, January 14, 2009
By Josiah Ryan, Staff Writer




Secretary of State-designate Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., accompanied by her daughter Chelsea Clinton, listens to introductory remarks on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2009, during her confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)(CNSNews.com) - Republicans did not engage in any tough, sustained attacks against President-elect Barack Obama’s nominee for secretary of the state, Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.), during the first day of her confirmation hearings in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Tuesday.

Since Clinton was nominated by Obama on Dec. 1, journalists and Republicans have raised concerns about a possible conflict of interest among Hillary Clinton as secretary of state, The William J. Clinton Foundation – named after her husband and former president – and numerous foreign governments that have donated tens of millions of dollars to the foundation since its inception in 1997.

Further, disclosure of Bill Clinton's finances "shows that the family, through its personal finances and those of Bill's nonprofits, has received tens of millions from the royal families in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Dubai, Oman, Brunei and Abu Dhabi," reported author and former Clinton adviser Dick Morris.

"While these funds were nominally paid to Bill Clinton, they inure to the benefit of his wife, as well. Never have we had a secretary of state who has profited so handsomely from foreign governments," Morris added.

Nonetheless, sources in the Republican leadership told CNSNews.com that many senators in their caucus were holding back from criticizing Hillary Clinton to save political capital for Thursday’s confirmation hearing of Obama’s controversial designee for attorney general, Eric Holder.

“I share the President-elect’s view that the activities of the Clinton foundation should not be a barrier to Senator Clinton’s service,” ranking Republican Dick Lugar (Ind.) said in Monday’s hearing.

Lugar also called for a quick confirmation of Clinton and said he planned to vote for her, but he also requested that the Clintons provide more information about the foundation’s finances, including immediate disclosure of gifts over $50,000.

Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.), who many expected to be Clinton’s harshest critic in the hearing, did not attack Clinton.

“Despite the news accounts that say I am the one who is going to ask you the hard questions about possible conflicts, I have no questions about your integrity,” said DeMint. “Enough said, as far as I am concerned."

The most aggressive line of questioning during the day-long hearing came from Sen. David Vitter (R-La.), who told CNSNews.com before he took the dais that he “still had problems” with possible conflicts of interest between Clinton and her husband’s foundation.

In the hearing, Vitter demanded that the Clintons provide more financial disclosures before the full Senate vote occurs, which would confirm her as secretary of state.

Clinton responded by promising that she would do everything in her power to prevent conflicts of interest while serving as secretary of state.

“No matter what we do there will be those who raise conflicts, but I can absolutely guarantee you that I will do everything in my power so that the good work of the foundation continues without it affecting me or my service,” said Clinton.

“My husband doesn’t take a salary. He has no financial interest. I don’t take a salary. I have not financial interests,” she added.

Meanwhile, Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) said he thought Hillary Clinton’s relationship with the foundation would enhance her ability to do the job.

“This senator thinks that your husband's Clinton Global Initiative is an extremely positive thing to have in a relationship with the secretary of state,” said Nelson. “It only lends additional credibility.”

The U.S. Constitution requires that the executive branch obtain the advice and consent of the U.S. Senate when appointing high level officers such as members of the cabinet.







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ontime at 01:44 PM - January 14, 2009
Must we suffer through this charade of back slapping and frivolity on the dias, in public at the cost of the tax payer? The "Crooked As A Dog's Hind Leg" club is in session and they are rubbing your nose in it. Do as I say is the motto.... Did you not notice just how vehemetly the RINO Republican side voiced their objections to the Clinton love fest?