Hillary’s Capitol Hill Return
After more than two weeks off, Senator Clinton came back to her day job today — arriving on Capitol Hill to the cheers of some 50 interns and the hounding questions of the political press corps. She welcomed the applause but ignored the questions, turning to wave as she entered the building.
Clinton missed an early vote on housing, showing up in time for the Democrats’ weekly strategy session. She emerged to talk to reporters staking out the meeting outside the LBJ room, saying “I am rolling up my sleeves and getting back to work.”
“To my friends here in the leadership in the caucus and all of our colleagues I expressed my appreciation for the work that is done here in the Senate every single day and my commitment to working on behalf of the issues and values that we all stand for,” she said.
“It’s going to be up to the Democratic Party and particularly the Democratic Senate to make progress on everything from healthcare and the economy to ending the war in Iraq and I look forward to being back with this great team that we have here doing everything I can to make that happen.”
On her presidential bid, Clinton said “It was such an honor and a privilege for me to spend the last eighteen months as I did going across our country and having a chance to immerse myself in the extraordinary resilience and resourcefulness that is the American people. And I come back with an even greater depth of awareness about what we have to do here in Washington.”
“So many of the concerns that people expressed for me during the course of the campaign are ones that they can’t individually solve, they can’t even take it on on the local or state level, we need a national commitment.”
Clinton made it clear she’s transitioned from her hard-fought primary battle to her role as a top surrogate for the Democratic nominee. “The Democratic Party offers the best hope for solving the problems we face. And that’s why we’re going to work very hard to elect Senator Obama our President and we’re going to work very to add to our numbers here in the Senate.”
“I’m just hoping we’ll have a very significant victory this November because we have a lot of work to do and we’ve been unfortunately stymied by the stalling tactics and the disagreements by the Republicans about what’s best for our country.
As for VP aspirations: “I am not seeking any other position,” she said. “It is not something I think about. This is totally Senator’s Obama’s decision and that’s the way it should be.”
And asked about rumblings that her supporters are planning to vote for Sen. McCain, Clinton said “Anyone who voted for me has very little in common with the Republican Party. If you care about the issues I care about and the future I outlined during my campaign then you really have to stay with us in the Democratic Party and vote for Senator Obama to be our next President.”
Clinton holds her first public event with Obama in Unity, New Hampshire on Friday. On the appearance, she said “It is particularly significant because it was an area where Senator Obama and I each got the same number of votes. So this is going to be a symbolic event that I hope will rally the Democratic party behind our nominee.”
Upon her return to her office, reporters could hear applause and laughter through the closed doors. Apparently, staffers were parodying a game of Ping Pong — a joking reference to what they did while she was gone. Some staff came out wearing referee shirts, some with ball caps and carrying poster boards with flow charts on them as part of an elaborate prank for their leader’s return to the Hill.
Tags: capitol hill, hillary clinton
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Anyone who voted for me -” Has very little in common with OBama” - that is a much better comment! Sorry Hillary - MILLIONS voted for YOU - IF we thought obama was qualified - we would of voted for him. But - now since the DNC gave the WEAK guy to America - we will have to vote for McCain. Actually - anybody BUT obama. Vote Country - NOT party!
im with molly now we vote for mCain
no matter where she goes hillary will be back 2012
All the Hillary people are voting for McBush.
McBama has a hamburger named after him.
The “where’s the beef?” veggie-bama burger
at Carls Junior.
How much time off to US Senators get? Who looked after the people of NY while Hillary was campaigning? Who is representing Illinois and AZ while McCain and Obama run? You should have to resign if you run for president……or, not take a salary since the taxpayers aren’t getting represented while you’re on the campaign trail….HIllary owes the people of NY for all the time she didn’t serve them this year.
amen
B.O. is a LIE
Senator Clinton is a classy lady and she deserved the millions of votes she received but she lost. Some of her supporters are willing to betray the Democratic Party…and themselves…by voting for McCain. A man who is clearly very different from Clinton and Obama. Just think…after this election is over, Clinton will be back in the Senate, living her millionaire life style and if Obama doesn’t win, he will be back in the Senate living his millionaire life style and John McCain will be the president, leaving all those Hillary supporters who were to “angry” and “bitter” to vote for Obama–a Democrat–at fault for a continuing war, higher gas prices, no middle class tax cuts, and an economy steadily declining.
I sure hope the majority of Hillary supporters aren’t as bitter as Molly, the person who has the first post on this blog.
There comes a time when you have to get over your bitterness and think about what would be better for you and your family.
I agree… voting for the person NOT the party… I am unable to cast my vote mearly because of party loyalty… especially after seeing the democrats in action! what a debackle this primary was and what the DNC did or didn’t do… the more I watched the more I realized the american public is screwed no matter who gets into office… we loose!
I am now convinced it’s all about power and money and it’s not our money that they care about.
Frankly, 4 more years of Mc Sane is the safer bet… at least with him we already know what we are getting - NO NEW TAXES…. and a never ending war.(actually Mc cain said he sees the war to be concluded by 2010) .. frankly obama can not and will not be able to “end” this war too… we are too deeply involved to pull out.
Can someone tell me how obama is going to keep all his promises to everyone without raising our taxes??? $1,000/yr to the middle class isn’t going to go very far as a tax break…
I will vote for the candidate and not the party as well. I am a Democrate that will be supporting John McCain in this election. I think Obama and his supporters thought that the Clinton supporters would just fall all over him like they did and when that did not happen then all of a sudden the Clinton supporters were just bitter. Sorry to disappoint anyone but maybe we feel that Obama is not the candidate that we can support so we choose not too.
I think all of hilliary voters should vote for albert gore and bill clinton. this way their votes will count to all of the clinton and gore voters and they can spend another 8 years counting them. hiliary 18mil +gore 18mil+clinton 18mil will take them over the top. no one would beat that.
Kevin……..I agree with Molly
It’s not about Sen. Clinton anymore; it’s about keeping Sen. Obama out of the white house. It’s not about democrat or republican parties anymore it’s about saving our democracy from the ideology of hate and division. It’s not about my one vote anymore but about millions of people who are going to vote in November to keep the radicals out of the white house.
A vote for Mccain is a way of saying….HILLARY 2012
I was very disappointed that Hillary did not win the nod-I felt the Democratic party let me down in Michigan where I live-and gave Obama votes he did not earn.
Hillary has no choice but to support the DNC as they will really give her the cold shoulder if she does not support them and “their” candidate.
I will not vote for Obama-I do not trust him-less than 150 days in the senate is not enought national experience to suit me-and I do not like the thought of his wife who wasn’t even proud of her country til he ran representing my country as the 1st lady! I WILL vote for McCain and I am sure he will give us a better shot than Obama and I hope in 2012 Hillary can do better with some support.
I am glad that Hillary went back to the Senate with the welcome she deserved, she is such an outstanding asset to this country. As much as I have been for Hillary I cannot vote for Obama no matter if she encourages us all to do so. It is not a matter of party, it is not a matter of race, it is that I find him untrustworthy, I feel he lacks good judgment, I feel that he is not honest about his true feelings and intentions towards this country and its citizens, and I find him demeaning towards women. I don’t like his economic plans and I feel that he simplifies the threat of terrorism towards our country because he is weak in the area of our security due in part to not having any military experience or knowledge. I will be voting for McCain. I have voted Democrat for most of my life. I also am not impressed that we have not had the opportunity as yet to have both candidates debate. It is important to see how both candidates handle themselves in answering the important questions without a written script.
Fox News I would appreciate you posting this as I deserve the opportunity to express my opinion and have taken the time to do so. For some reason my posts are always waiting moderation then never appear. Thank you.
I am glad that Hillary went back to the Senate with the welcome she deserved, she is such an outstanding asset to this country. As much as I have been for Hillary I cannot vote for Obama no matter if she encourages us all to do so. It is not a matter of party, it is not a matter of race, it is that I find him untrustworthy, I feel he lacks good judgment, I feel that he is not honest about his true feelings and intentions towards this country and its citizens, and I find him demeaning towards women. I don’t like his economic plans and I feel that he simplifies the threat of terrorism towards our country because he is weak in the area of our security due in part to not having any military experience or knowledge. I will be voting for McCain. I have voted Democrat for most of my life. I also am not impressed that we have not had the opportunity as yet to have both candidates debate. It is important to see how both candidates handle themselves in answering the important questions without a written script.
Fox News I would appreciate you posting this as I deserve the opportunity to express my opinion and have taken the time to do so. For some reason my posts are always waiting moderation then
never appear. Thank you.
Comment by Kevin in NC
June 24th, 2008 at 7:08 pm
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Kevin, Hillary’s supporters have made it Very clear they Are thinking of their country and of their family and are choosing to vote for McCain. If we thought Obama was good for our country and could keep our families safe, we’d vote for him. Obama canNot keep America safe…he does not have enough experience.
“You” actually are the one that sounds bitter because the Hillary supporters have made their choice and its Not Obama.
A Vote for McCain
is a Vote for America
Comment by Kevin in NC
June 24th, 2008 at 7:08 pm
————————————-
Kevin, Hillary’s supporters have made it Very clear they are thinking of their country and of their family and are choosing to vote for McCain. If we though Obama was good for our country and could keep our families safe, we’d vote for him. Obama canNot keep America safe…he does not have enough experience.
“You” actually are the one that sounds bitter because the Hillary supporters have made their choice and its Not Obama.
A Vote for McCain
is a Vote for America
I believe Hillary is the best person for the job and that the DNC has made a very bad mistake. I can not just vote for a democrat if I don’t believe he is the best person for the job. Maybe they share the same views (Hillary and Obama) but they DO NOT have the same character and experience. If I have to choose between Obama and McCain, I will vote for McCain. Most definitely.
Now…if the DNC comes to their senses….I would most definitely vote for Hillary!!!!!!!!
I have voted Democrat in almost every race. I even voted independent when a Democrat was not on a ballot. But this year, on the Presidential ballot. I’ll be checking McCain. Obama is an extremeist. He doesn’t have his facts in order when it comes to biblical information (which to me means he didn’t read the thing, he just went ot hte hate-filled church for the votes). I know more about the bible and I’m an Athiest! I am not a politician but I can see both sides of the political argument (this is why I vote the way I do). I compare my views of the political arguments against Obamas and think, “Ok, he’s wrong on that one, and that one, and the other one.” And the “Obamination” would ask me to suspend my disbelief that this moron knows more than I do about almost all policies?
I don’t think Obummer deserves any middle of the road democratic vote. I still hope that his wife and he are going to come out and just tell the truth, “They HATE America.” It’s been obvious since the first day either one of them opened their mouth and said, “Hey, there is soemthing wrong with you and I think you need to vote for me to fix it for you!”
No thank you Senator Obummer. go back and hang out with your terrorist friends like Bill Ayres.
Obama wants to fix gas prices by investing in other forms of fuels which may take 10 years with no temporary fix
Mcain want to get a temp fix and drill off shore for oil which will take 5 years and invest in other fuels
so the difference is
(Mcain)= temp fix now and be drilling for oil within five years which = lower gas prices in 5
(Obama)=do nothing now wait 10 years and see if the investments pay off and tell opec to do more drilling while we do nothing to help now
Obama is a fake and now that he has the nod he will play the race card and anybody that dont agree with him is a racist that is not the person we need to run this country and I am glad Bill Clinton has not backed him I hope he dont
I voted for Hillary now I will vote Mcain NOBAMA
Hillary tried a temp fix for gas prices and wanted to invest in our future as well Obama said it was political pandering and it will not help us the working class out much and that the oil companys will just raise prices to offset the tax break Hillary wanted
well what does he think the winfall profit tax will do the oil companys will raise cost way more then the 18 cent tax break Hillary was talking about
OMG, the Hillary Haters are still at it? I think it’s time to seek help.
To all those people who commented on my comments…(the 7th post on this blog) I appreciate your responses and I totally respect them. If you feel John McCain can serve your needs better than Obama, I’m cool with that. I just hope he doesn’t disappoint, because his actions will also affect me. If you don’t trust Obama or if you feel his to radical or inexperienced or whatever your thoughts may be, I would urge you to do some research outside of “right wing blogs and television” and make an honest, thoughtful choice. Good Luck with the next four years.
I still think there is a little “bitterness” on the part of some people.
So, here it is 2 years after lying to New Yorkers that she would not be running for President if they re-elected her to the Senate, Madame Slithery is finally about to start doing some work?
To bad we can’t have a recall vote on the 2006 Senate election.
Kevin in NC, stop trying to play the diplomat card while simultaneously badmouthing Clinton-McCain backers. You come off as arrogant and unappealing as the candidate you are backing.
Our “bitterness” was originally sadness at our candidate losing, it turned bitter when Obama supporters continued to badmouth us and call us things like racists and idiots.
Sen. Obama has very few positions where his voting record and his campaign/recent statements coincide. He’s even scaled back his talk about troop withdrawl and is not at an ambiguous definition of the “combat” brigades he would pull out each month.
As much as the media loves your darling, there are still quite a few of us independents going for McCain.
“There comes a time when you have to get over your bitterness and think about what would be better for you and your family.” This is exactly why a candidate like Mr. Obama adopt any means to get the nomination. He operated with the assumption that Mrs Clinton’s supporters will have no choice but to flock to him once he gets the nomination. Wake up and don’t succumb to this nonsense ot “getting over bitterness”, etc. Don’t betray yourselves.
Geoff from LA….I do consider myself a diplomatic person and for the record, I have never badmouthed Senator Clinton (in my first post on this blog I actually said she was a classy lady). As for McCain, I didn’t badmouth him either, I just disagree with his policies on almost everything. I think he is pretty classy also. He has done a good job of staying above the frey of the nasty tone this campaign has taken and will continue to take. What I think is “idiotic” is people who vote against their Democratic affiliation and beliefs because of what I see as “selfish, misinformed, and idioitic reasons.” If you believe in McCain…vote for McCain, that’s your choice.
PS: Geoff, I also respect the fact that at least you could admit you turned bitter. I urge you to look at the candidates closely. You sound like a person who is up on the issues from what I can gather from your post.
Geoff…..As for those of you who back Clinton or McCain. I didn’t bad mouth you guys either with the “diplomatic card.” Whatever that is!
So, Clinton going ‘back to work’ means that she meets with other Democrats to talk about how to get a member of their party into the White House this fall? How does this ‘work’ help the American people?
I am amazed at the arrogance of Obama. People say I should vote for him because his policies are almost the same as Clintons. There’s just one problem, he doesn’t have the experience or know how to get those policies done. His foreign policy, which he did differ from Clinton on, is scary. Anyone who thinks we can just talk to our enemies withour preconditions is ignoring history. This is exactly what JFK did with Russia that caused the Bay of Pigs. Fortunately Robert Kennedy had the intelligence and guts to fix it so we didn’t get blown up. McCain will at least keep us safe for the next 4 years. Iran is a definite threat to our safety and McCain will know how to handle the situation better. Obama keeps talking out of both sides of his mouth, or should I just say he keeps changing and going back on what he said before and out right lying.