httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTh6H8FzmAg&eurl
“I don’t want to beat a dead horse,” said Vitter, then he went on to beat that dead horse. Seemingly more than willing to channel The Wall Street Journal. I kept thinking that Dick Morris must be under the table handing Mr. Vitter his line of attack. Vitter was relegated to the wingnut version representing the Ann Coulter, Sean Hannity, Michelle Malkiin wing of the Republican Party.
Clinton challenged on WJC’s work came late in the hearing, with HRC’s response to Vitter getting a rise out of Lugar.
Everyone is in agreement that WJC’s work, including CGI, needs transparency going forward, which President-elect Obama and Hillary Clinton acknowledged as well, working out an agreement over days and days. But with Vitter’s sour blue charts and Karl Rove tone, he ran head long into Senator Kerry and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who remained open and respectful to all, while Kerry reminded Vitter of the facts. Senator Vitter still didn’t get it, feeling the need to further channel Sean Hannity, also interrupting Clinton, then squealing that her answer to his question should not come out of his time. Kerry quickly slapped him. He then later had to point out to Mr. Vitter that answers had been offered, but those that weren’t would be forthcoming.
Republican whiners have one problem. They have no power. They also have to swallow that President-elect Obama and Clinton have an agreement that put all this in order. Huff and puff as they like, there’s no there there.
WJC’s foundation does great work, as does CGI. Any attempt to try to sully CGI’s global work is disgraceful on the Republicans’ part. It’s old politics considering that the Clintons have been eager to work with the Obama transition team to make sure an “appearance” of conflict was obliterated. Through the years the Clintons have been the most vetted couple in politics, disclosing income continually.
“There is no intention to amend,” said Clinton. That got Lugar’s attention and brought forth another response from him, going so far as to say the committee’s concerns about conflict could end up “prescient.” He did again say he would vote to confirm. Expect more on this issue in the coming hours.
No matter what we do there will be those who raise conflicts, Clinton eventually responded. Count on it.
I wonder how many people have respect for Vitter. I sure as hell don’t. After seeing him with wife in tow apologizing on TV, I thought he was a jerk then and do now. Any man that puts his wife next to him while he’s going over his past indiscretions is nothing more than a pick fat jerk.
Poor Vitter, this guy is so lame that when he wants to cheat on his Wife he has to pay to do so
There are many ways to raise real questions important to transparency, considering the unique situation of WJC and HRC. No one should be naive to think that this isn’t a real issue.
That said, President-elect Obama isn’t stupid and identified this issue during December. The Clintons responded and they will continue to respond. However, some will *never* be convinced, because they see darkness wherever the Clintons travel. As HRC said herself, at some point you can’t please them, so any effort to attempt to do so is folly.
TaylorMarsh | Homepage | 01.13.2009 – 3:41 pm | #
Did I hear the committee votes on Thurs? It will be unanimous, she blew them away.
TaylorMarsh | Homepage | 01.13.2009 – 3:41 pm | #
Very well said. Some people are raising the transparency question because it is a legitimate issue. Like Lugar, in my view. Others are raising it out of sheer political spite, like Vitter.
FWIW, I think Lugar’s approach — CGI forswears all foreign contributions — is overreaching. The compromise worked out with Obama is pretty good, although I would prefer six-month review rather than yearly.
Yes, Schumer evidently is having a party tomorrow. Vote Thursday.
…and you’re right. She blew them away.
Vitter is the only one that was way out there, IMO.
I am listening to Sen. Clinton and Sen. Kerry right now. Isn’t it refreshing to hear smart, thoughtful, well spoken people for a change?
Yes, kris!
Right on, Betsy.
Taylor – listening to them have a thoughtful discussion of Afghanistan and Hamas/Israel issues makes me hopful that this country will at last take a well thought out, considered position that will be a positive.
Oh no. Sen. Menendez is back on the conflict of interest with the CGI.
Tim Geithner will blow CGI off the pages.
new post up on that…
I jumped too soon. Menendez is defending CGI.
He challenges this, but nothing about the 90B that AIG almost made off with for “retaining” employees.
The CGI has tremendous partnerships in the world.
Hillary shined today. Thank goodness most of her colleagues were supportive today.
Just saw the rerun on MSNBC of Vitter interrupting HRC, and the look on her face was a riot. It was saying, in my book, “you have the nerve to question my credibility?” Loved it!!
Yeah, that’s also on the YouTube clip. Vintage Clinton, the look that no one wants to receive.
Vitter looked like an ass. He was the one who looked most out of place at that meeting. I can’t believe that he actually had the unmitigated gall to speak as he did with the kind of history he has. Hillary did shine.
I am listening to Sen. Clinton and Sen. Kerry right now. Isn’t it refreshing to hear smart,
thoughtful, well spoken people for a change?
kris | 01.13.2009 – 3:51 pm | #
Thoughtful, intelligent…well spoken,
It’s going to take some getting used to after the language mangling Bush has used for 8 years.
Vitter is the point man for the repugs? BWAHAHAHA! VITTER!!! OH MOMMA PUUUUUHLEAZE let the repugs keep this sort of crap up!!! BWAHAHA!
Clinton’s Exhaustive Prep Work For State Hearing Pays Off
Her confirmation hearing was a tour de force, one that demonstrated not just her breadth of understanding of the policy issues, but the meticulous preparation that she has brought to most every political task in her career
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/01/13/clintons-exhaustive-prep_n_157693.html
GeoT | 01.13.2009 – 8:37 pm | #
I caught excerpts on c-span radio on the drive home. I heard the questioning from dick lugar and jim webb. Hillary’s intellect and mastery of the issues was breathtaking. All I could say was, Wow.
All I can say is that she is one awesome lady. And I repeat, I loved the look she gave Vitter. Classic!
All I could
say was, Wow.
ogenec | 01.13.2009 – 8:53 pm | #
she exceeded expectations… and now Hannity is back to bashing her so all is right with the universe.
check this out:
OBAMA WINES AND DINES CONSERVATIVES
Breaks Bread With Columnists Over Dinner Party
At George Will’s House
The president-elect arrived at the Chevy Chase, Md., home of syndicated columnist George Will shortly after 6:30 p.m., according to a press pool report. Greeting him at the residence were other luminaries of the conservative commentariat, including the Weekly Standard’s William Kristol, New York Times columnist David Brooks, and Charles Krauthammer of the Washington Post.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/01/13/obamas-dinner-with-conser_n_157701.html
So long as it’s not a case of Hey guys(because ain’t gonna be no WOMEN there) chill I’m really more like you then the public realizes
but a case of know thine enemies
Barbara Boxer came on Rachel Maddow’s show, praising Clinton and Obama in their approach for diplomacy.
The notion that Hillary would do something as Sec of State to pull in donations is laughable to me, anyway.
In the meantime, I’ll never understand anyone who would attack the foundation. It’s so obviously a huge gesture of goodwill from all corners of the world. Frankly, it has not gotten enough attention for the good it is doing.