Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
Yesterday afternoon, Hillary Rodham Clinton was sworn in as Secretary of State, joining President Obama’s foreign policy and national security team and resigning her post as a New York Senator. The official start of her duties began after the Senate confirmed her in a 94-2 vote, along with a day-long debate on the potential consequences of her husband’s overseas fundraising.
Prior to the vote to confirm Clinton as Secretary of State, Senator Jim Cornyn, a Republican from Texas, expressed concern over foreign donations to the Clinton foundation, and urged the Clintons to fully disclose all foreign donations, including those from individuals. Ultimately, though, Clinton was confirmed by a 94-2 margin, with Cornyn among the votes for her confirmation. Only Jim DeMint and David Vitter voted against her.
According to New York Newsday, Clinton resigned her Senate post immediately after she was sworn in - it is now up to New York Governor David Patterson to appoint her successor. While Caroline Kennedy was previously a contender to fill the vacancy, she recently withdrew her name from consideration; according to Newsday, Patterson has not made his selection yet, but hopes to make an announcement by Friday or Saturday. Ms. Kennedy has cited personal reasons for her decision to withdraw - as many of us already know, her uncle, Senator Edward Kennedy, has been diagnosed with brain cancer and suffered a seizure on Tuesday during an inaugural luncheon. Newsday’s Dan Janison reports on the consequences of Kennedy’s withdrawal. He reports that Andrew Cuomo, Thomas Suozzi, and Steve Israel are among the remaining contenders.
