Tag Archives: Hillary Rodham Clinton

Princeton Dean First Female To Head Clinton State Department’s Think Tank

As NJ.com reports in Princeton dean departs for Washington to work for Clinton, “Anne-Marie Slaughter has resigned as dean of the prestigious Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs to serve the first female director of the State department’s Office of Policy Planning, reporting directly  to new Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.”

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is very clearly building out a robust and experienced team to deal with the multi-pronged challenges the U.S. faces abroad. She immediately brought on board a successful peace negotiator, George Mitchell, to tackle the Mideast and Todd Stern, who led the US delegation to the Kyoto talks in 1997,  to work toward reaching agreements to reduce global pollution. Clinton reached outside of the State Department to discuss concerns regarding the global economic downturn and issues regarding China with Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner.  We are sure to hear more about that.

And by bringing on Slaughter, an expert on global governance and American foreign policy, who co-chairs the Princeton Project on National Security, and serves on the board of the Council on Foreign Relations, Clinton is putting in place a philosophical underpinning which can guide the State Department’s actions, rather than simply “putting out whatever fire is burning brightest”.  She also appears to be putting a stake in the ground about the termination of practices which erode civil rights, for any global citizen, and which undermine the core principles on which this country was founded.

Slaughter, said to be one of our country’s finest legal minds, in her most recent book “The Idea that Is America: Keeping Faith with Our Values in a Dangerous World,” explores the relation between the United State’s power and the bedrock principles upon which our country rests. She lays out a vision that, despite aggression and adversity in the world, America should fight to retain its basic values of justice and tolerance in addition to liberty, democracy and equality.  In other words, no Guantanamo Bay.  No torture.

This shift in policy thinking at the highest levels suggests a paradigm shift in how America will deal with the rest of the world, the values which will come into play, and the more just and tolerant approach we might expect when dealing with other countries, even those who don’t always agree with us.

I, for one, see this as a very welcome change.  And one which might bring more of our distant neighbors back into that circle of collaboration and trust on which so much of the world depends for safety and progress.  For me anyway, the positive steps in this direction convince me what data suggests: women do approach politics, legislation and diplomacy with a bit kinder and more nurturing touch.


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Hello And Congratulations Madam Secretary Of State!

Clinton confirmed as secretary of state by 94-2 vote – CNN.com.

WASHINGTON (CNN) — The U.S. Senate approved the nomination of Hillary Clinton as secretary of state Wednesday by a vote of 94-2.

All we have to say is “YES!”

Hillary did it!  And we are very, very proud of her.

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The Tyranny Of Low Expectations: Democratic Women Politicians Celebrate

WASHINGTON - JUNE 07: U.S. Sen. Hillary Rodha...
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I have to admit I feel intensely conflicted when I see stories like the following:

Democratic women in politics celebrated, 1/9/09, by Mackenzie Carpenter in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

“WASHINGTON — They joked. They choked up. They banged shoes, they gave thanks, and delivered a warning: that despite gains for progressive female candidates in the 2008 election, there are still five men for every woman in the U.S. House of Representatives.

A lively, lengthy luncheon was hosted by feminist fundraising organization Emily’s List …. (one of the largest and most respected political action committees in the country, which during the 2007-08 election cycle, raised more than $43 million to recruit and support liberal women candidates). The headliner was Secretary of State nominee Hillary Rodham Clinton and a parade of political superstars celebrating 2008 victories by Democratic women — and female cabinet appointments by President-elect Barack Obama.

The mostly female audience of 2,000 stomped and cheered wildly when Mrs. Clinton, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Labor secretary nominee Hilda Solis and Homeland Security secretary nominee Janet Napolitano appeared at the Washington Hilton event to deliver the same message, over and over again: Without Emily’s List, they wouldn’t be there.” Emily’s list just helped elect Senators Hagan and Shaheen and brought us feminist House members like Diana DeGette, Lynn Woolsey, Betty McCollum, Jan Schakowsky, and Stephanie Herseth  and Senators Stabenow and Murray. Quite an achievement, and certainly one to be applauded.

I am all for women getting together and celebrating our victories.  But then I’m immediately caught up short with the haunting question: “What exactly are our victories?”

Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney wrote a book, “Rumours of Our Progress Have Been Greatly Exaggerated” which pretty much sums up the problem. Maloney, described as a “gracious, intelligent, fiery and fabulous feminist” makes the point that real progress will come for women “when there is a critical mass of women in government. Once 30% of our representatives are women ( Ed. some say 50%) , women’s issues begin to be addressed. The United States is nowhere near that critical mass yet.”

We are at 16%-17% of women in Congress. So again, I have to ask…. although it may feel good at the moment, exactly what is there to celebrate?

I know most are in a celebratory mood with the coming inauguration and the historical precedent of fuller equality in political office and the life of our country.  But let’s face it.  Women are still looking for full equity in this society.

And the danger I see is that of the tyranny of low expectations.

We seem to be happy with the crumbs.  The term used in this context was “gleeful”.  We feel grateful to achieve anything, get elected to anything, It merits our celebration.

To me, 16%-17% of women in Congress should merit our outrage and our anger or at the very least our unified and coordinated resistance. I know.  I know.  No one likes an angry woman.  It is one of the stereotypes used against us.  But where would our country be without the outrage that instigated the Boston Tea Party?  And where would women be without the Suffragettes’ refusal to accept the status of second class citizens without the full rights enjoyed by others and guaranteed by our Constitution?  Where, in fact, would African Americans be without Rosa Parks and her refusal to stoically accept what she was dished out?  Would we then be celebrating this inauguration with this incoming president.  Or would be waiting another generation or two?

There are some women, brimming with frustration and disappointment over the slowness……the  “pouring molasses on a February day in Vermont” slowness …..of our progress. These women may not be sanguine over the success of Emily’s List, believing there is too little accomplishment or laying the blame on women themselves, for one reason or another.

Although they certainly have a right to their opinion and can speak for themselves, I don’t agree with that. I believe we should take pride in and claim our accomplishments as was done at this luncheon and “meeting of the tribe” of those who seek to advance women. Ellen Malcolm, founder of Emily’s List, proudly touted her group’s role in the election of two Democratic women governors, two Democratic women senators and 12 new Democratic women in the House.

At the same time, Malcolm went on to challenge the group to work harder, noting that the U.S. House of Representatives remains predominantly male.

“Our work is far from over,” she said. “We are nowhere near a representative democracy that rightfully includes the full participation of half the population.”

That much is clear. I believe, like Eleanor Roosevelt said about peace: “It isn’t enough to talk about peace. One must believe in it. And it isn’t enough to believe in it. One must work at it.”  And the same applies to women’s rights and elevation to public office. As slow as progress may be we must never give up and never give in.  We may take a moment to celebrate where we are. It is after all, a bit further down the road than we were before, at least in some respects. ( Remember the 18 million cracks in the glass ceiling.) But we must, above all else, keep working to elect women sheriff, dog catcher, city councilwoman, mayor, governor and senator.  Then one day, we too, may finally get to that dream that so many of us have, of women gaining full equity in this country.

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Gerry Asks “Is Caroline Kennedy Ready?”

Geraldine Ferraro
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Quite a few people, including Gerry Ferraro are questioning whether Caroline Kennedy is ready for the Senate.  That doesn’t matter if Democratic Gov. David Paterson decides to pick her. Of course it will matter a great deal to Caroline Kennedy if she’s not ready and not tough enough and gets battered, bruised and virtually eaten alive by the wily, battle scarred old political pros and the hungry, aggressive press hounding her every move and particularly any missteps. Instead of launching a political career, she might be short circuiting one, by not going through the normal testing period of campaigning among the people, honing her skills and toughening her hide along the way.

David Gergen pointed out, on CNN that people said the same thing about Ted Kennedy when he was running for his first election. I remember he was particularly pained and I believe even teared up when someone said if his name were Edward Moore, instead of Edward Moore Kennedy, his candidacy would be a joke and he would be a laughing stock. And the fact is, he wasn’t ready.  He’s spent decades in the Senate now.  And at some point he became ready.  Then he went on to become an outstanding senator. But there’s no denying there’s a learning curve in political office.  Even Bobby Kennedy, who spent his adult life as JFK‘s political operative had an emotional learning curve to go through.  He went from being a political tough guy, poking his finger in other polls’ chests and telling them they would do what he wanted for his brother.  As he grew in office he began to show a softer more thoughtful side, transforming himself into the presidential advisor who counseled against a preemptive bombing of Cuba in the Missile crisis as “Pearl Harbor in reverse. As he traveled through Harlem and the Appalachian mountains, he began to identify  deeply with the poverty stricken and disadvantaged families and communities.

The problem for New Yorkers is that we are in a financial crisis now.  New York is our country’s prime target for terrorists now.  Some question if it’s wise to give an inexperienced candidate time to grow in office rather than pick an experienced legislator who can hit the ground running.

In CAROLINE SLAP – New York Post, Geraldine Ferraro gave a thumbs down to Caroline Kennedy’s bid for the Senate yesterday – even as the Camelot daughter won her biggest endorsement for the job….

Ferraro, the first woman nominee for vice president, sent a letter to Gov. Paterson urging him to instead appoint one of New York’s six sitting female Congress members to replace Hillary Rodham Clinton in the Senate.

At the same time, Brooklyn Democratic Party head Vito Lopez, who leads the biggest county party in the city, issued the first formal endorsement for Kennedy.

Ferraro said it’s not time for on-the-job training while New York faces a fiscal crisis.

“You can’t send someone down there who doesn’t know the issues,” Ferraro told The Post. “If you send someone down there who doesn’t know the legislative process, they’ll get chewed up alive.”

“Our senator should be ready on Day 1,” added Ferraro. “Just knowing people down there [in Washington, DC]? It’s just not enough.”

Meanwhile, a top adviser to a Kennedy rival seized on news that Kennedy didn’t vote in a string of elections, mostly primary races.

“Not voting is an issue. She comes from a family that prides itself as part of the leadership of the Democratic Party,” said Bill Lynch, an adviser for Rep. Carolyn Maloney, who’s angling for Clinton’s seat.

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Beware Your Associates: The “Birds Of A Feather” Maxim Might Come Back To Bite You

A week or so ago, one of the pundits…. I forget which…..wrote an article listing points of advice for President-elect Obama. He said forget Lincoln.  Look to recent presidents and the mistakes they made if you want some current and relevant lessons of specific  mistakes to avoid.  He mentioned Clinton’s trying to change the “no gays in the military” rule before he’d built sufficient capital with Congress; Carter’s micro-managing the schedule of who was playing at what time on the tennis court .  But one of his points was extremely well taken. He cited Ronald Reagan’s associates who wound up tarnishing him and his reputation.

The old “birds of a feather flock” together maxim.

This is one that may not be good news for the Obama administration.   At least, as far as women are concerned.

First, we have  Larry Summers of the “women are genetically inferior to men in math, science and engineering” fame, who was nominated by President-elect Obama to be the next head of the White House’s National Economic Council.

Ok.  Let’s just say Obama was so impressed by Summers’ economic acumen he decided to magnanimously overlook his Paleolithic outlook on women ( see The Larry Summers Dust Up: Women vs Paleolithic Role Models).

Next up to bat. Bloomberg reports that Timothy Geithner, President-elect Barack Obama’s choice for U.S. Treasury Secretary, is seeking to ditch Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. Chairman Sheila Bair, the only woman on his incoming team.

Bair is a popular regulator, well respected on the Hill,  who has sided with struggling homeowners and sought tougher conditions on financial firm.

Barney Frank, Banking Committee in the House, and openly gay, so no stranger to bias, made the following observation: “I think part of the problem now, to be honest, is Sheila Bair has annoyed the ‘old boys’ club,’” To some extent, bank regulation and mortgage foreclosure have made a situation where we have several regulators up in the tree house with a ‘no girls allowed’ sign — and it’s aimed at Sheila Bair – - who’s been really good.”
We were all so relieved that Larry Summers was passed over and Timothy Geithner, was nominated for U.S. Treasury Secretary, that perhaps we didn’t take a close enough look at Geithner,  a long standing colleague of Larry Summers who might share some of his views on women.  Or, at the very least, may want them to be quiet and know their place.

And finally, the Washington Post pointedly asked, in One More Question, how incoming Obama administration director of speechwriting Jon Favreau, pictured above, left, might answer the Obama vetting teams questions regarding the offensive and juvenile photos appearing in Facebook and Myspace and particularly…

Question No. 63 which asks that applicants “please provide any other information … that could … be a possible source of embarrassment to you, your family, or the President-Elect.”

That’s when some interesting photos of a recent party he attended — including one where he’s dancing with a life-sized cardboard cut-out of secretary of state-designate Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, and another where he’s placed his hand on the cardboard former first lady’s chest ( groping her) while a friend (appears to be nibbling on her cardboard ear and ) is offering her lips a beer – popped up on Facebook for about two hours.

I don’t know about you, but I am tempted to start wondering if this is a pattern.   I’m also wondering if Obama’s vetting team, with that much vaunted judgment, is exploring and making appropriate decisions on whether each of these candidates has failed to make the evolutionary trek from the Paleolythic age to contemporary society, where gender skewed opinions and barbaric behavior are not the norm and shouldn’t be rewarded by appointment to high office.

Obama, are you listening?  No president escapes unscathed from outrageous acts of associates. This time, you picked them so you are responsible for their poor behavior.

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Women Angry Over Treatment of Hillary Clinton & Sarah Palin in Campaigns

When young men shout out from the audience “Iron My Shirt”, Tee shirts identify female presidential candidates as the C word, and large, respected magazines run articles titled ” The “Bitch” and the “Ditz””, referring to Clinton and Palin, what can one expect but a lot of anger and resentment from women, expressed or not?

As noted, “The heightened perceptions of how women were treated this cycle just may drive more votes by women for women next time around.”

New poll reveals the depth of women’s anger in the aftermath of Hillary Clinton’s and Sarah Palin’s campaigns.

The Barrier That Didn’t Fall – The Daily Beast suggest American women overwhelmingly believe they are being treated unfairly in the press, in the workplace, in politics, and in the armed forces, according to a poll by The Daily Beast of 1,000 U.S. voters. The poll comes on the heels of the first-ever presidential election with two high profile women candidates who ran but did not win.

For a race that was supposed to have broken the glass ceiling, it may just have shown women how hard and resistant that barrier really is. The poll, conducted for The Daily Beast by Penn, Schoen and Berland Associates, clearly documents what most casual observers identified as relatively favorable press treatment for male candidates like Obama and Biden versus an “anything goes” approach against the women running for office. In fact, the poll—which covered topics ranging from coverage of women’s appearances to the parodies of candidates on Saturday Night Live—shows sweeping skepticism about how women are viewed culturally, politically and in the workplace. Though women did not vote in large enough numbers for Sarah Palin’s side to prevail, they remain convinced she was not treated fairly by the media, and judged her treatment far harsher than even what Hillary Clinton received.

The poll’s key findings include:

  • By an overwhelming 61% to 19% margin, women believe there is a gender bias in the media.
  • 4 in 10 men freely admit sexist attitudes towards a female president. 39% of men say that a male is “naturally more suited” to carrying out the duties of the office
  • Only 20% of women are willing to use the word “feminist” about themselves. Only 17% of all voters said they would welcome their daughters using that label.
  • 48% of women thought Hillary Clinton received fair media treatment and only 29% believed Sarah Palin was treated fairly. In contrast, nearly 8 in 10 voters thought the press gave fair treatment to Barack Obama and Joe Biden.
  • More than two-thirds of women said they were being treated unfairly in the workplace (68%)

The race appears to have crystallized attitudes among women that they face discrimination in almost all areas of private and public life. Women over 50, the first generation to have a majority in the workforce, see far more discrimination in every area of life than younger women. And when it comes to the armed forces, the poll shows a similar pattern of older and higher income women reporting the highest levels of discrimination against them. About 72% of women that they were being treated unfairly in politics—a perception that Hillary Clinton’s appointment as secretary of state, the third woman in that position, would likely do little to assuage.

For the entire article, go to The Barrier That Didn’t Fall – The Daily Beast.

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The Business Of Electing Hillary: Post Mortem

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Yesterday I was at a brunch with a number of women, most of whom, I think, were former Hillary Clinton supporters in the primary.  The talk turned to what went wrong, and it seemed to me to be very much a primer for Business 101.  Although the subject was politics it was also really about business, the business of getting selected as nominee of your party, then elected president.  The theme of the discussion could have been “What Not To Do In Your Business or How You Should Have Revised Your Plan On the Fly As Mistakes Became Evident.“  Lessons from the Hillary Campaign, a short list; a complete list would stretch ad infinitum:

  • Don’t Put Someone In Charge Who Has Zero Experience In The Field ( Patty Solis Doyle as campaign manager)
  • Don’t Believe Your Own Press Clippings and Get Overconfident, ( Sense of Entitlement, Underestimating Opponents, ie. Barrack Obama)
  • Don’t Ever Run Out Of Money, The Ultimate Mistake ( Someone had to tell Clinton they’d blown all the money by Iowa, the first primary???  Track your money and guard every penny.  Whole auto companies have been saved by counting their green backs one by one on a desk each night.)
  • Don’t Buy Snow Shovels When There’s No Snow In The Forecast, Hire A Helicopter, Or Order Sandwich Platters With Your Last Dime ( Part of the Don’t Ever Run Out of Money rule…. Also part of the zero experience syndrome.)
  • Don’t Let A Consultant Run Your Business Or Your Campaign ( He goes back to a secure job and collects a paycheck from you whether your product explodes in your face or not.  You want someone with “skin in the game”, ie. you lose, he hurts as well.)
  • Don’t Think A Man ( Bill Clinton or Mark Penn) Knows More Because He’s A Man ( This was your campaign, if mistakes were to be made they should at least have been your mistakes, made from your gut.)
  • Use Common Sense, Don’t Delegate It ( When Mark Penn’s big game plan was for Hillary to be accepted as Commander in Chief, instead of making an all out play for women; when the first poll came in showing she already was viewed as an acceptable commander in chief, she needed to pivot that sucker fast and go after those she finally acknowledged at the end, her only truly reliable block, women voters.
  • Learn to Count ( Did Mark Penn really not understand proportional voting and think it would all be wrapped up by California?  And he was paid or is still owed $7 million for this advice?  Are you kidding?)
  • When You Identify Your Weakness, Don’t Avoid It, Try To Fix It ( Caucuses)
  • Don’t Try To Be “The Best Little Girl In The Class When You Lose“, Possibly expecting payback ( You may get pay back but it probably won’t be the kind you were expecting.  Ask Sen. Lieberman who has already been taken to the woodshed for his opposition and may lose his committee chair.)
  • Don’t Seriously Tick Off Your Most Ardent Supporters ( See Lynnette Long’s blog, http://www.lynettelong.com/my_weblog/2008/11/parity-in-the-c.html.)
  • Stand for Principle Over Expediency ( There were many lessons to be learned from your run.  Every supporter you had will have to decide if they agree with Lynette Long’s blog or not.  If they do, it doesn’t bode well for your future.  And that’s no way to run a business or a campaign either.)

(Footnote- February 3, 2009.  Well, I’m a big Hillary fan and devoted a lot of time and energy to try to get her elected.  I think I was in a very disappointed mood when I wrote this.  And Lynette Long may have been also, when she wrote her blog. Hillary did get pay back by going over to the Obama side and displaying loyalty.  She was appointed Secretary of State, and, in these early days, it looks like she is going to make that a more energetic and principled department.  We wish her… and us… the best.)

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Tough Times Of Election 2008 – Lemonade from Lemons

Whichever candidate each of us decides to vote for, polls show that most of us are not happy with the direction our country has been headed. So, however today’s election turns out, although many of us will be temporarily deflated or ecstatic over the results, in the end, we need to recognize we will all share a common future, so we had better seek common ground, assess the situation we’re in and figure out how to make the best of it.

Women In Government  – Even if both Senator Clinton and Governor Palin were roundly trashed in some areas and by some media, women did score “18 million cracks in the highest, hardest” glass ceiling. And the end result of all the trashing was the launching of a new wave of women’s awareness and activism. Good for us!

Economy – Although the news is bleak, we can look at the state of the economy as a crisis we are in the process of overcoming.  And remember what we said about a crisis? “Although it certainly will be a challenge to recognize it as the crisis is unfolding, some good may come of it. You will see who your strongest leaders are….. If someone had a big hand in the disaster, hopefully he will be shipped off to a small atoll near Greenland. Problems will be faced. New strategies and early warning systems will be developed. Not only will new and better systems be installed but new leaders will emerge from the smoke and din of crisis.”  And we definitely will be getting new leaders.

Environment- Looks like the time has come for Green. Green businesses, green homes…. at long last, attention to the environment.  Just when we thought the time would never come, it’s here.

Careers -There will still be some careers that thrive. HR World suggests “If you want to recession-proof your career, the key is to focus on work that continues even when most people don’t have disposable income to spend. So while consumers may not hit the mall as often, you can guarantee that people will continue to get sick, pay taxes and use energy. These are just a few of the careers and industries that can be expected to thrive in a down economy”, all listed at Top 25 Careers to Pursue in a Recession – HR World.

Business – For which businesses will be able to sustain themselves in a recession, you can take a clue from Top 25 Careers to Pursue in a Recession only put yourself in the position of the owner of the business:

  • “Health Care: People will always get sick
  • Education: No matter how dire the economy is, there are always jobs for teachers
  • Accounting: Death and taxes are a sure thing. You need to keep track of  your money whether you’re making it or losing it.
  • Federal Government: Most federal-government jobs end only when workers retire.
  • Skilled Services: Hair will always grow, and drains will always clog, so you can expect steady work in skilled services like plumbing and hairstyling.
  • Consulting: Recessions are crunch times for companies as well, and they’re likely to bring in consultants for advice on efficiency and squeezing the most out of their resources.
  • Government Contracting: Despite money troubles, roads must be maintained and schools must be built.
  • Food: People need food to survive, and it’s not likely that anyone is going to just stop eating — no matter how bad the economy gets.”

There are a lot more of these more or less recession proof jobs.

Our point here is, however the election turns out, even if polls show that most of us are not happy with the direction our country has been headed, in the end, we’re all going to be all right, anyway.

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WIPP Applauds Letter by Women Senators Opposing SBA’s Proposed Rule on Women Procurement Programs

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WIPP Applauds Letter by Women Senators Opposing SBA’s Proposed Rule on Women Procurement Programs – International Business Times -.

AdvancingWomen.com would like to recognize and honor the 16 women senators who stood up and attempted to level the playing field for women in business.

“Women Impacting Public Policy(WIPP), the nation’s largest bipartisan women business organization, applaudsthe Senate’s 16 female members for their opposition to the SBA’s proposedwomen’s procurement program rule.

The letter stated, “The SBA’s proposed rule has two pivotal flaws whichvhinder it from functioning as Congress originally intended. First, theproposed rule identifies merely four business industries, out of roughly 140,in which women-owned small businesses are under-represented and eligible forset-asides … Second, for the SBA’s proposed rule to be implemented,individual Federal agencies must first publicly admit to a history of genderdiscrimination.”

The letter also says that, despite comprising a third of the nation’s small businesses, women entrepreneurs only received 3.4 percent of federalcontracting dollars in 2006. It continues by stating Congress established thewomen’s procurement program in 2000 to help address the underrepresentation ofwomen entrepreneurs in the government marketplace. “Now, over seven years later, the SBA produced a fundamentally flawed proposed rule in itsinsufficient attempt to implement the women’s program.”

Furthermore, the letter points to recent actions taken by the SenateAppropriations Committee prohibiting the SBA from funding implementation ofthe proposed rule.

( AdvancingWomen.com salutes the following women Senators for standing up for women:)
Also showing their support for women-owned small businesses were Sens. KayBailey Hutchison (R-Texas), Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.), Susan Collins (R-Maine, Elizabeth Dole (R-N.C.), Diane Feinstein (D-Calif.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Blanch Lincoln (D-Ark.), Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.), Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Debbie Stabenow (R-Mich.).”

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