by Dennis Copson

Created on: January 15, 2009

Senatorial Love Fest: Hillary Schmoozed Foreign Relations Committee

Wednesday, January 13th, found Hillary Clinton in Washington, DC seated in front of the United States Senate Foreign Relations Committee in what can only be described as a love fest vice confirmation hearing. It was a celebratory event more than an official inquiry by any stretch of the imagination.

She fielded an assortment of soft ball questions the answers to which were as smooth and slippery as anything she proffered on the recent campaign trail. She was in typically Clintonesque' form veiled in partisan innuendo, politically correct, all encompassing, and evasive when it suited her purpose.

Senator John Kerry is the Chairman of said committee and made it clear to any Senator who tried to get cute' with the soon - to - be Secretary of State that he would have none of it. He and Hillary waltzed through the hearings as if they were the best of buddies. (Was he quietly thinking "That should be me seated there?")

Kerry's schmaltzy approach to the procedure almost got him in trouble when he noted that Hillary's daughter, Chelsea, was present at the hearings and he gaffed (man, did he!) when he said that he would make her an intern for a day'. Oops!

Even Republicans were overly flattering when questioning her. Senator Richard Lugar (Indiana) referred to her as "the epitome of a big leaguer" and said she would undoubtedly open new opportunities for America's diplomatic endeavors around the world. Republican Senator Jim DeMint (South Carolina), normally a feisty character itching for a fight, said he was "optimistic and hopeful" about her role as Secretary of State. Love all around from all sides!

The Democrats, as to be expected, were effusive in their praise while declining to ask any question which might challenge their former recent colleague to any degree. The Senate is, after all, a tight knit fraternal type organization and will never embarrass one of their own.

The only contentious issues introduced were by Republican Senators Lugar and David Vitter (Louisiana) when they questioned the fundraising of her husband, Bill, and possible conflict of interest issues affecting official government business. As Bill Clinton globe trots to raise funds - vast amounts of cash - for his charitable foundation - and incidentally his library fund there is the thorny question of propriety in that she will be dealing diplomatically with the same countries and nongovernmental agencies Bill is earnestly shaking down.

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