Highlights from Hillary's opening statement

Posted By Carolyn O'Hara Tuesday, January 13, 2009 - 3:35 PM Share

By most measures, this a strong opening statement from Hillary. A few highlights so far:

  • "America cannot solve the most pressing problems on our own, and the world cannot solve them without America."
  • "I believe American leadership has been wanting, but is still wanted.''
  • "The president-elect and I understand and are deeply sympathetic to Israel's desire to defend itself under the current conditions, and to be free of shelling by Hamas rockets."
  • "I don't get up every morning thinking only about the threats...[but] the possibilities in front of us."
  • "...Obama is committed to responsibly ending the war in Iraq."
  • "We must use what has been called 'smart power,' the full range of tools at our disposal. With 'smart power,' diplomacy will be the vanguard of foreign policy."
  • Quoting a Roman poet on diplomacy: "'In every endeavor, the seemly course for wise men is to try persuasion first.' The same truth binds women as well."
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images News
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Madam Secretary is an obsessive blog about all things Hillary Clinton. From her policies to her pantsuits, Madam Secretary delivers up-to-the-minute news, analysis, and gossip about America's top diplomat.