Katie Couric's Notebook: Hillary Clinton

By: Katie Couric
Topics: Katie Couric's Notebook

She was the polarizing First Lady who spoke of vast right wing conspiracies, the carpetbagger who came to New York with a Yankees cap and a Senate campaign, and the presidential contender in a pants suit.

No matter what the role, Hillary Clinton's critics have delighted in eviscerating her.

But now, as Secretary of State, her approval rating of 65 is higher than Michelle and President Barack Obama's. Even some conservatives have done a 180. Glenn Beck told me he would have voted for her in the 2008 election.

Talk about whether she's being "marginalized" has grown tiresome even among Washington wags.

She's gotten some serious frequent flyer miles – 140,000 of them - traveling to 36 countries, and improving relationships with Russia, Cuba and even Iran.

And she's helped oppressed women facing horrific abuse in places like Afghanistan and Congo.

Just what you'd expect from a woman who broke so many barriers here. Nice to see she's getting the respect she deserves…simply by doing her job.

That's a page from my notebook.

I'm Katie Couric, CBS News.

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by caine47 October 27, 2009 8:01 AM EDT: Well, the perky one is at it again. After slobbering over Madeleine Notsobright (who helped pave the way for North Korea's nuclear arms program) a few days ago, Katie is carrying the left wing water for Hillary in this light weight piece. The truth of the matter is that Hillary hasn't accomplished much of anything. The only provable accomplishment of Hillary's that Katie identifies is "I Can't Recall's" piling up of the frequent flier miles. Furthermore, there is no evidence that Hillary has improved the image of the U.S. around the world. Improved relations with Fidel Castro? How so? The Russians? They stiffed her and sent her packing, and she was embarrassingly upstaged by John Kerry in Afghanistan. Go see how popular she is in Eastern Europe, where the administration backed off of their commitment for a missile defense system. As far as "helping" the oppressed women in the Congo....c'mon perky one....give me a break. There is still some hope that Katie will come up with an original thought one of these days, but hope is fading.; Reply to this comment


by skeezix06 October 27, 2009 6:19 AM EDT: Off topic. Harry K. Smith announced the Evening News last night. I immediately changed to ABC news. Harry has made a point of letting everyone know he's hard rigiht on the political scale. I also stopped watching the Early Show for that reason.; Reply to this comment


by petersemkiw October 26, 2009 9:04 PM EDT: It ain't easy being green.; Reply to this comment


by casey_abbott October 25, 2009 12:05 PM EDT: You think it's easy being green?; Reply to this comment

by sakel1M October 24, 2009 3:00 PM EDT

The Hillary-Haters, the sexists, the ageist neanderthals, are still here doing their mischief! They just don't seem to get it! Hillary's winning because she's not a Waffler or an Incompetent. And the Haters are obamyopic or extremely ignorant fanatic neanderthals. Biden loves her, she's earned the "respect and sustained applause" of her colleagues and now she's returned on the Hill, Kerry has nothing but compliments: "She gave us an honest and effective summary of the policy questions faced by Obama". Her "team spirit" is admired by the president. Both the Turkish and Armenian foreign ministers praised her according to European media. She's an impressive, tough-minded and serious legislator. African, Korean, Chinese,and Indian women have formed fan clubs!

Katie Couric's Notebook here is absolutely amazing in summing up the amazing journey of the most amazing woman in U.S. political history. I marvel at Hillary Clinton's ability to remain faithful to her original convictions and at the same time be able to "just do her job". I'll never forget her 1995 Bejing speech where she alienated all the officials (and some in other countries!) in China by her:

"Women's rights are human rights--and human rights are women's rights"

Back then it was revolutionary. Now it's part of an enlightened U.S. Foreign Policy that's slowly turning Europe/Africa/Asia into (reluctant at first) "friends". Her experience on the Senate's Armed Services Committee, her personal knowledge of foreign dignitaries key to the administration, and her ability to "get it" without alienating sparring departments has made her indispensable. And in North Korea, hubby Bill was on the phone taking instructions from the SoS! She just didn't have to brag about it.

She's Washington's "political pragmatist" and the envoys are saying "she gets it; she's a natural and has the toughness and scars to do what's needed on the job". Of course she is not hogging the limelight and doesn't believe having her face plastered on the news 24/7 is as important as "doing my job". "It's a woman's thing"...to "just do the job"...without "alerting the media, Mr. DeMille!"

You can waffle eloquently, you can fool people some of the time, you can inspire others through rhetoric, you can get by on being adored, but people can't be fooled *all* the time, eh? They look to *actions*, not words. You gotta be REAL. And it sure shows just who the REAL pragmatic visionary in Washington is these days!

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by Omni-Present101 October 24, 2009 6:12 PM EDT: Reuters Assessment Today: Same as Mine and others. 9 Months an what IMPACT on Foreign Policies. Condoleeza Rice & Madalene Albright, were Real Secretaries Of State.

Clinton is the Photo-Op Secretary Of State, Kim Jung Ill Disparaged her Threats Earlier this Year, he said "She Dressed like a Woman Shopping at the Mall" he's referring to a Sr. Citizen. Russian Diplomats last Week, Disagreed with More Sanctions on Iran, now this week, the USA, Russia & France are working on Iran sending their Uranium to France & Russia.

Hillary Clinton is Too Old...Period
____________________________________

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Hillary Clinton has found her voice but finding her place in the top-down foreign policy apparatus that is the Obama administration has proven more elusive.

The former first lady, senator and presidential candidate has, by her own and others' accounts, transitioned well into the role of secretary of state.

She says she loves her job, gets along well with President Barack Obama and wants to rebuild the U.S. relationship with the rest of the world.

But how much power does she have? Some nine months into her tenure, that is an open question.

With no clear signature policy issue of her own and a team of special envoys handling hot spots such as Afghanistan and the Middle East, Clinton has had to fight off suggestions that she has been sidelined.

Other eminent foreign policy players such as Vice President Joe Biden and a White House National Security Council run by a tightly knit team of former Obama campaign advisers have made it harder for Clinton to make her mark.

Still, the politician-turned-emissary has established a rhythm and unique style in addressing the world as Obama's top diplomat.


by Omni-Present101 October 24, 2009 6:18 PM EDT: She's TOO OLD.

She's not Condoleeza Rice Or Madalene Albright.

She's Not Respected by Heads Of State, as Some would try to Convey in the Public

She's a Clinton, Bill Clinton, The Media & Clinton Hounds are Trying to Plant Seeds for 2012.

2012: She'll be even [OLDER]


by jsfitzgerrel October 24, 2009 10:40 AM EDT: I was back and forth till she started this position. Im so impressed with her this last year. Im glad to Ive always wanted to like her.; Reply to this comment


by Omni-Present101 October 23, 2009 10:43 PM EDT: 1. The Middle East Peace Agreements being ironed out is not a Hillary Clinton Project, It has President Obama, Joe Biden, George Mitchell & his Group Written all over it.

2. In Turkey, that was a Photo Op.

3. Hillary Clinton has Not Helped Women in Afghanistan & the Congo, it was just another Photo-Op.

4.Hillary Clinton is [Not] Condoleeza Rice...

Secretary Of State, Speaking French,German, Russian & Spanish and Respected moreso than President Bush & Vice President Dick Cheney.

5. Katie, the Woman has been Secretary Of State for 9 Months, Not 9 Years, Please, i know you and some others want her to Run for President in 2012, but that's Un-Realistic...

She's Too Old.

She's Not Respected by N.Korea, Russia or China, as well as other Countries.

I can see this 2012 Media Campaign Mode, Its being Telegraphed, won't Work, but Thanks For Trying.; Reply to this comment

by weary1 October 23, 2009 9:22 PM EDT

I agree, it IS nice to see Hillary receiving the respect she deserves!

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by sakel1M October 24, 2009 3:27 PM EDT: Weary1

Yes! She's at last receiving the respect she's deserved when the misogynist media fratboys and a torched-earth campaign by her opponents pushed her off the stage forcing her to throw the towel (while winning!) in a way Kennedy was never made to do when fighting against Carter. But she's a woman, and 'anything goes' in bashing her. Hillary and Sarah Palin were both disgracefully vilified by the media ignoramuses and "pyjama bloggers". But she's got Substance and Perseverance. And that frightens the weaklings. You can tell by reading some of the 'Hillary-bashing professionals' here that they're afraid of her still! Amazing.

She is being called by her colleagues "a masterful conciliator".

Biden and Kerry think she's offered "honest, effective summaries of policy crucial to the Obama administration."

Bob Herbert of the N.Y. Times has praised her work at the Congo on behalf of women ravaged by the war. Nicholars Kristof believes in her and the man knows his stuff and the billion-dollar sex-trafficking industry that needs strong voices like Hillary's against it.

State department loves her because, unlike Condoleeza Rice, "Clinton prefers pragmatism to ideological loyalty". You won't find a single employee or colleague there not praising Hillary Clinton's performance and her ability to build bridges.

And don't forget what Sen. John McCain said to Russert, at Meet the Press, back in 2005 when he visited Iraq with (then) Sen. Clinton:

"I believe Hillary Clinton would make a great President". She's earned the respect of independents and conservatives alike.

This woman has got her own armies of well-wishers and admirers of her courage and diplomacy in America and Canada and all over the world. This should be beneficial when it comes to the tough battles ahead she has to fight on behalf of not only the administration [where she's the "spine stiffener and bad cop to Obama's good cop routine in facing tough adversaries", as David Rothkopf said] but on behalf of the most vulnerable here and throughout the world.

Yes, it is nice to see HIllary receive the respect she's always deserved.


by shylove2 October 23, 2009 9:06 PM EDT: But the horrific abuse in Afghanistan is that we used their country for beginning with Carter in '79 as a proxy battleground to draw the Russians into their Vietnam. Hence we helped destory the secular gains in women's right in order for the freedom fighters to take them away and their country has been a 30 yr cauldron of death, destruction, and inhumanity. Now we are headed right back into our Vietnam proclaiming we are saving them!; Reply to this comment