Clinton defends Obama on Libya, says she would stay through beginning of second term

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Tuesday defended President Obama's handling of recent military strikes in Libya, denying reports that she persuaded him to commit to military action there, and calling his decision to authorize involvement a "thoughtful process."

Clinton also said she would keep her post as secretary of state through the beginning of the next term, in order to ensure a smooth transition.

Clinton, who said earlier this month that she would leave the White House after her first term, said would realistically end up serving into Mr. Obama's second term, pending his election.

"I will stay until the beginning of the next term, because I know it takes a while for people to get appointed and confirmed," she said in an interview with ABC's Diane Sawyer that aired on Tuesday. "I mean, obviously, there needs to be a seamless transition with whomever President Obama decides to appoint after he is reelected, which I am confident he will be."

Clinton also called allegations that she had been the key voice urging for the authorization of attacks on Libya "part of a storyline that needs to be corrected."

"I think it was a very thoughtful process," Clinton said, of Mr. Obama's decision to authorize the strikes. "I'm not going to characterize anyone because it was a decision that was made, and the decision speaks for itself."

She also expressed confidence in the international military mission, and said she had heard of "people close to" Qaddafi sniffing out an exit strategy.

"We've heard about other people close to him reaching out to people that they know around the world -- Africa, the Middle East, Europe, North America, beyond -- saying what do we do? How do we get out of this? What happens next?" Clinton said. "I'm not aware that he personally has reached out, but I do know that people allegedly on his behalf have been reaching out."

Clinton acknowledged the possibility that "some of it is theater," but added that "some of it, we think, is exploring. You know, what are my options, where could I go, what could I do. And we would encourage that."

She added that she had heard reports that up to two of Qaddafi's sons had been killed in recent days, but emphasized that "evidence is not sufficient" to issue a formal confirmation. She also denied reports that one of them had been killed by U.S. forces.

"We hear many different things, but we know it's not us," she said.

Reiterating the White House line that Qaddafi's removal is not the mission's purpose, Clinton declined to speculate as to whether or not he would be able to retain power.

"I don't want to make any predictions because we are taking this one step at a time," she said.

"Now obviously, if we want to see a stable, peaceful, hopefully someday democratic Libya, it is highly unlikely that can be accomplished if he stays in power as he is," she added.

[troylair--2008]

I find it amazing that all these folks in comments are so anti-Obama; considering the lies, destruction, murders, with-holding of information, fake/not mass destruction weapons..... Hello, are you all really for real? After what the Bush administration put us through, I am enjoying the breath of fresh air with current administration myself.

[pragmatist1]

She won't have to worry about remaining beyond the single term for the president.

[cbsblogger]

When are Americans going to wake up? We don't have leadership that represents the people of the USA. We have leadership D or R that makes decisions based upon the perpetual policy of imperialistic expansion and the projection of power, and that always benefits the same bankster elite that have made our 1930 dollar worth 6 cents. They gain and we always lose.

[comm333cp]

The current situation in Libya is certainly very complex, with multiple different players in the mix firing cruise missiles on an already torn and helpless country. France and Britain are leading the way with the US basically playing the third wheel. Sadly, this is typical of Clinton and Obama to over-extend the influence of the United States into areas that are surely in need of change, but lack any clear foresight for merit.
Obviously, action needs to be taken against Quadaffi, who has repressively ruled over the country for the past 42 years and left his people without jobs, food, and many basic freedoms. Sure, the legacy of Obama's first term might possibly be riding on the success or failure of making another stronghold of democracy in Libya. But, we are missing the point. What about all of the innocent people being killed, where has the anti-war sentiment gone?
Even though Libya's situation is serious, there are already far too many issues on the agenda of the US right now. Between handling a still struggling economy domestically, and dealing with a decade's worth of unfinished results and in many cases failures in Iraq and Afghanistan abroad (not to mention the pressing disaster relief in Japan) , these leaders must choose their priorities more wisely.
Fittingly, I am not surprised that Clinton is supporting Obama's recent decision to go forward with military strikes in Libya because this would certainly support any further political agenda she chooses to pursue. But, I am surprised that she offers a public statement revealing her plans to move on from the Secretary of State position if Obama is re-elected in 2012. If people think that Clinton is performing so well and has a deep understanding of foreign issues, then why would she leave? Is this new debacle in Libya what has sent Clinton over the edge?

[ScarletPhoenix]

We need some new management across the board! Hello! All of our politicians are related, literally. It's starting to resemble the inbred monarchies of the past. Didn't Obama, Bush, & Cheney all being family shock you at all. We need new leaders preferably from a different bloodline. I mean how does that happen anyway.

[ScarletPhoenix]

I thought the democrats were against war. And don't bother to say "it's not war, it's humanitarian." Since when does humanitarian involve bombs being dropped on a country that has done nothing to us. This is outrageous. Where are you dems? You were quick to condemn Bush every step of the way, rightly so. Where's your anti-war now? Convenient much? Hilary's talk of his son's being killed as positive is disgraceful. How very humanitarian of you Hilary. How will you feel when they dance because our sons and daughters are dead because the destruction the gov't has caused to civilians all over the world. They don't give two flying monkey f@%ks about those people and we all know it. There was no intervention in Darfur, Rwanda, Cambodia. They pick and choose what stakes interest them.

[Zann-Zel]

I hope she'll change her mind and stay for another term - unless of course she moves on to Vice President! : ) I'd LOVE to see that!