Clinton builds loyalist empire

[emad]

WHEN Hillary Clinton was offered the job of America’s top diplomat, she made one non-negotiable demand: she must be allowed to take her own team of loyalists with her to the State Department.

A new “Hillaryland”, the word coined for devotees of the first lady in the 1990s, is being assembled for Foggy Bottom, where the State Department is based, in sharp contrast to the bold example set by Barack Obama’s cabinet “team of rivals”, composed of the president-elect’s former competitors and opponents.

Stalwarts such as Maggie Williams, Clinton’s former chief of staff at the White House, who was drafted in to salvage the former first lady’s campaign, and the glamorous Huma Abedin, Clinton’s closest personal assistant, are likely to join the new secretary of state’s kitchen cabinet, while James Steinberg, a top official from husband Bill’s administration, is predicted to become deputy secretary of state. “It is to be expected,” said an Obama adviser. “Hillary likes to be surrounded by people she is comfortable with. But she is not going to be allowed to staff everyone from Team Hillary.”

Top White House and cabinet appointments are being made faster than in any modern presidential transition in the midst of two wars and a severe economic crisis. But Obama, 47, is determined to put his stamp on the style and substance of his administration.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article5299035.ece

[wyldwolf]

1. BREAKING: EVERYONE in politics has a kitchen cabinet. Some even paid.

[madrchsod]

2. got to love the times....

“It is to be expected,” said an Obama adviser. “Hillary likes to be surrounded by people she is comfortable with. But she is not going to be allowed to staff everyone from Team Hillary.

an "obama advisor"...

"she`s not going to be allowed to staff everyone from ->Team Hillary<-"

let`s not forget this gem

"the ->glamorous<- Huma Abedin, Clinton’s closest personal assistant,"

the right wing just can`t get over her...it`s sort of a love -hate relationship

[peace13]

3. Insert the word Obama for Clinton and this is a pretty funny article.

Can you imagine Obama agreeing to be SOS with 'conditions'. Ha! This post will be inundated with people saying that it picks on Hill. Ya, right. Whatever. I just hope that Obama sleeps with one eye open and it is pointed in the direction of Hill.

[quickesst]

4. Ha ha.....

...it seems for many that faith in Obama's ability has diminished once the ideological goal of electing our first black president has been achieved. If that lofty goal had been tempered by actually listening to Obama during the primaries and ge, his actions thus far would not have come as such a surprise. As a Clinton supporter during the primaries, and as someone who admittedly was not fully open to what Obama was saying, I have come to the conclusion that had I known then what I know and feel now, I realize that either candidate would have been a great choice, and more importantly, would have, and will bring to an end the nightmare of the last eight years. The immature belief that everything a Clinton does is first and foremost done to benefit them will continue, even though noone has yet to give any logical reason to believe this. Her actions and support of Obama after the primaries has more than proven her commitment to his success, yet many cannot get beyond the illogical, and over-emotional dictates of the right-wing they have so readily embraced. It's not "something in the water", but the realization for the majority that many "progressives" simply aren't as smart as they think they are. Working vigorously to undermine Obama and his ability to make intelligent and thoughtful decisions proves the point. Thanks.
quickesst