Will Hillary outpace Condoleeza in mileage?

Posted By P.J. Aroon Friday, April 24, 2009 - 2:56 PM Share

Hillary Clinton, April 4, 2009 

Over at FP's blog The Cable, Laura Rozen compares Secretary Clinton's travel mileage with that of Condoleezza Rice, her predecessor.

Clinton, who was sworn in Jan. 21, will reach her 100th day on May 1 (when counting Jan. 22 as Day 1). To date, she has traveled 57,622 miles to 18 countries.

By comparison, Rice, who was sworn in Jan. 26, 2005, had traveled 90,865 miles* to 24 countries by the time she reached her 100th day (when counting Jan. 27, 2005, as Day 1). On Day 100 (May 6, 2005), she was beginning her ninth overseas trip, with the first stop in Latvia.

Nevertheless, a Clinton aide told The Cable, "Not only is HRC outpacing Rice on miles traveled, she's also edging out Rice on solo trips," without the president.

I know some of you Hillary fans out there might not like it that I'm mentioning one area in which Clinton is trailing Rice, but the numbers are the numbers. But, of course, keep in mind that quality of travel can be more important than quantity of travel.

*Note: This version updates a previous version that said Rice had traveled 74,701 miles, reflecting a correction at The Cable.

Photo: MICHAL CIZEK/AFP/Getty Images

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B. ELLI COSE

3:42 PM ET

April 24, 2009

Quality vs. quantity

...keep in mind that quality of travel can be more important than quantity of travel.

Precisely. I had previously held a marginally positive view of Ms. Rice, viewing her as perhaps one of the best of a bad lot in the previous administration--in other words, as ineffectual but at least well-meaning. However, we now learn that Ms. Rice personally authorized waterboarding very early on. Thus, the only description that remains is ineffectual. No amount of travel can change that. The new Madame Secretary comes as a welcome change.

 

IAMNOTHERE

5:41 PM ET

April 24, 2009

Indeed ...

You have to remember that Rice was scrambling to salvage Bush's second term which turned out to be practically impossible.

And talk about quality vs quantity. I don't remember Rice getting the kind of reception that Hillary got in Asia, especially Japan where even the queen greeted her at the door which is something I have never, ever seen before. I was actually worried then that she might overshadow the president which would not be a good thing for either one of them. It's quite obvious now that they make a really good team.

 

CAROLYN-RODHAM

8:48 PM ET

April 24, 2009

I think you mean Empress

I think you mean Empress Michiko -- but yes, they even held hands!

Condi was invisible, by comparison. I can't think of a single thing she accomplished, can you?

 

CAROLYN-RODHAM

10:15 PM ET

April 26, 2009

Not mileage, maybe, but

Not mileage, maybe, but wattage definitely

 

STILL4HILL

8:36 PM ET

April 27, 2009

Wattage for sure. Hillary's

Wattage for sure. Hillary's is WAY UP THERE! She is a shining star!

But this is not a competition. Also, is it miles or number of events? Hillary uses every minute of her day so efficiently. Where Condi may have had one or two events in a day, Hillary has sometimes as many as six.

And maybe not miles, but number of countries/cities. You can go thousands of miles and visit one city, or you can visit ten.

I don't think it's really a contest. Hillary is WAY more visible than Condi - and seems to be getting rock star treatment Condi never got. But who really wants to keep score?

 

ANNE

12:44 AM ET

April 27, 2009

what a sucky job. :D. i'm

what a sucky job. :D. i'm glad hil hasn't done twice as much travel as she has, that would be way too much.

I appreciate the entry for sure, i was actually curious about that. :)

 

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