Hillary Clinton: "I am enormously proud" of service

US Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta laughs alongside former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton prior to presenting her with the Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service during a ceremony at the Pentagon in Washington, DC, February 14, 2013. / SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images

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Hillary Clinton: "I like being on the American team"

In just the latest event honoring her service as secretary of state, newly-minted civilian Hillary Clinton today accepted a medal from the Defense Department for distinguished public service, and spoke of the "enormous" pride she feels for her work with the Pentagon during her tenure in the Obama administration.

Clinton, who officially handed over the reins to the State Department at the beginning of the month, was profuse in her thanks and praise of outgoing Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, who presented her with the medal and introduced her remarks. Clinton reflected on the historically tense relationships between leaders of the Pentagon and the State Department, and said she was "enormously proud of what we have achieved."

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"I think we have gone a long way to restore America's global leadership," she said.

As the government grapples with the prospect of looming across-the-board sequester cuts, Clinton also urged Congress to "avoid devastating and self-inflicting wounds." She argued that being on the "American" team is better for the country than being on a particular political team.

"We have seen that America is stronger and more effective when we work together," she said.

Clinton and Panetta have both participated in a slew of recent events marking their exits from the Obama administration - but as both pointed out today, only Clinton has had the chance to actually take a breather. Panetta's departure has been delayed amid ongoing controversy surrounding the confirmation of former Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb., to succeed him.

"Hillary and I are a little older, perhaps a little wiser, a little less patient, particularly with political dysfunction, a little less tolerant of B.S. in general, and it is probably a good thing at this point in time that we have a chance to get some damn rest," Panetta said, in remarks introducing his former colleague.

"She's made it," he added. "I'm gonna have as broad a smile as she does, hopefully, in a few days."

Panetta laughed and shook his head, noting that he was having a "hard time" waiting for Congress to approve his successor.

"I'm ready to go," he said.

[SbroCali]

What's she being awarded for, the fact that she "took full blame for Benghazi"? The fact that Congress TOLD HER "If I was President, and you told me that you hadn't read those cables, that they didn't pass through you, you would be fired right now." s she proud that she "took full blame for Benghazi" and she still had a job, but four other people under her were fired because of it? Or is she proud because four people died in Benghazi because of her, and because she ignored the requests for increased security? She shouldn't be President? Barack shouldn't be President bc he tried to cover it up and protect her saying the uproar was because of a youtube video that the terrorist group didn't like, when there was no proof of that. Basically, Obama made it wash over quickly so that no one would push the issue. She shouldn't be President, she should be spending time in the Benghazi Embassy!

[ccb5508]

well isn't she just FULL of herself!!!

[whaas2]

So Hillary is proud in her responsibility for the deaths of our four brave men in Libya.

[zmonkee]

I know 4 families whoe aren't "enormously proud" of her--

[unclec18017]

I'm glad someone is enormously proud... but it sure isn't the typical US citizen. Hillary was globetrotting the last 4 years, looking like an old school marm, shaking her finger at other heads of state, telling them what they were doing wrong... she's a politician, not a diplomat.

Politicians blame and shame people, diplomats try to use a little finesse to show people their mistakes.

[NH23456]

Right on

[indvfreedomliberal]

"I am enormous"- Hillary there you have it the truth is finally out....

[Lauralarson]

Obama is the one responsible in Benghazi, not Hillary.It was a CIA compound and he's the president.She only covered for him.He's the one responsible of those deaths, he was campaigning in Las Vegas and he will never do anything to protect americans.He's from Kenya and is a Muslim. We need HILLARY 2016!!!! A real American!!!!

[NH23456]

No we DON"T

[zmonkee]

Laura- out of curiousity, did you vote for obama?

[Lauralarson]

Obama is the one responsible in Benghazi, not Hillary.It was a CIA compound and he's the president.She only covered for him.He's the one responsible of those deaths, he was campaigning in Las Vegas and he will never do anything to protect americans.He's from Kenya and is a Muslim. We need HILLARY 2016!!!! A real American!!!!

[Augy-Doggie]

and said she was "enormously proud of what we have achieved."

Like what for example?
The Benghazi cover up?
Growing an enormous posterior over 4 years of sitting on it and doing nothing and eating different cuisines from different coutries see visited?
Can anyone honesty name one of here achievements as Secretary of State?

[indvfreedomliberal]

Have you seen her back side when she walks looks like two hippos fighting under a blanket...

[NH23456]

Right on

[Sax1031]

so are the families of the people lost in Benghazi