Even tho Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was sworn in and has been on the job for about 2 weeks now, she participated in another swearing in ceremony — officiated by Vice President Joe Biden — yesterday with her husband President Bill Clinton, her daughter Chelsea and her mother Dorothy Rodham (not pictured) in attendance. Here is a photo of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton taking the oath of office in Washington DC yesterday afternoon:

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton has been on the job for nearly two weeks, but there’s always an excuse for a lavish celebration. [Yesterday] afternoon, in the gilded Benjamin Franklin room on State’s top floor, close friends and lawmakers watched her get publicly sworn in by Vice President Biden. The guests who nibbled on treats and drank wine and beer to the strains of violin music included Chevy Chase, the actor; former Secretaries of State Henry Kissinger, James A. Baker III, Lawrence Eagleburger and Madeleine Albright; House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.); Senate Majority leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), Sens. John Kerry (D-Mass.), Diane Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Carl Levin (D-Mich.); and Governors John Corzine of new Jersey and Martin O’Malley of Maryland. Washington power player Vernon Jordan and Obama foreign policy aide Samantha Power — who had a very public spat with Clinton during the presidential campaign — also mingled among the several hundred guests. A cheer went up when Clinton walked into the room with her husband, former president Bill Clinton, her daughter Chelsea and her mother Dorothy Rodham. Before Biden began to administer the oath, some members of the crowd started chanting, “Get it right, get it right,” in reference to the botched oath originally administered to President Obama. “Never did I think, Madame Secretary, that I’d swear you in as secretary of state,” Biden said to laughter. “Never did I think I’d be sworn in as vice president.” Both Biden and Clinton had challenged Obama for the Democratic nomination, and Clinton also noted the irony. “As Joe laughingly referenced, neither one of us thought we’d be here,” she said. “Life has a funny way of unfolding, and politics is even stranger.” Clinton earned the biggest laugh and applause when she thanked her husband, resplendent in a red tie, after acknowledging her mother and daughter. “I am so grateful to him,” the former first lady said of the former president, “for a lifetime of [pause] all kinds of experiences — which have given me an extraordinary richness that I am absolutely beholden to and grateful for.” Clinton will begin her first day of public diplomacy Tuesday when she meets separately with the foreign ministers of Great Britain and Germany. The administration’s evolving policy on Iran will be high on the agenda because political directors of the six countries seeking to negotiate with Tehran will meet on Wednesday to consider their next steps. Clinton also must decide when and where she will make her first trip, a symbolically important mission. Diplomats in Asia say she is considering traveling to Japan, South Korea and China, and possibly Southeast Asia — an unusual itinerary for the top diplomat’s maiden voyage. The planning is still in the early stages, however, and the State Department has declined to comment on her plans.

I guess just because President Barack Obama had two swearing in ceremonies, Hillary had to have two of her own ;) I was able to watch this swearing in ceremony live on CNN and thought it was a fun, light-hearted affair. I cannot believe Hillary was so free with the jokes … her zinger on President Clinton was pretty funny. After the jump, if you so desire, you can check out video of Hillary’s swearing in ceremony yesterday afternoon …

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Madam Tussaud’s Wax Museum in Washington DC has put together a new holiday themed exhibit which features President-elect Barack Obama and Secretary of State designate Hillary Clinton surrounded by wrapped Xmas gifts as they stand side-by-side in the Oval Office of the White House next to a festively adorned Xmas tree:

LOL. And, for your information, the gifts that are piled atop the President’s desk have gift tags made out to the Cabinet member nominees that have already been announced — Rahm Emmanuel (Chief of Staff), Tom Daschle (Secretary of Health and Human Services) and Robert Gates (Secretary of Defense). Hahahahaha … I really love this display … cuz as much as I adore Michelle Obama and I *know* that she will be an amazing First Lady, I honestly believe the real First Couple of the US is going to be made up of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. If she successfully becomes approved to be our next Secretary of State, Obama is going to essentially be married to her for the course of her tenure. Honestly … I’m not really sure if that’s a good thing or a bad thing ;) But by looking at this wax exhibit … I do think they make a very handsome couple.

[Photo credit: Splash News]

President-elect Barack Obama has just announced his decision to name Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (his former rival for the Democratic Party’s nomination for President of the United States) as his Secretary of State when he takes office in January. While this news isn’t actually “news” per se (we’ve been hearing that Hillary was his choice for weeks now), I think it’s absolutely relevant to talk about it now that Clinton’s nomination to Obama’s Cabinet is official. Here is a pic of Obama and Hillary at their press conference in Chicago, IL this morning:

President-elect Barack Obama is filling his Cabinet at record speed, choosing loyal friends and one-time foes to guide his wartime foreign policy decisions. Obama on Monday announced Democratic primary rival Hillary Rodham Clinton as his secretary of state and said that President George W. Bush’s defense secretary, Robert Gates, is staying on. Obama also named Washington lawyer Eric Holder as attorney general and Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano as homeland security secretary. He also announced two senior foreign policy positions outside the Cabinet: campaign foreign policy adviser Susan Rice as U.N. ambassador and retired Marine Gen. James L. Jones as national security adviser. The announcements rounded out the top tier of the team that will advise the incoming chief executive on foreign and national security issues in an era marked by wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and terrorism around the globe. “The time has come for a new beginning, a new dawn of American leadership to overcome the challenges of the 21st century,” Obama said as his Cabinet picks stood behind him on a flag-draped stage. We will strengthen our capacity to defeat our enemies and support our friends. We will renew old alliances and forge new and enduring partnerships.” Obama said his appointees “share my pragmatism about the use of power, and my sense of purpose about America’s role as a leader in the world.” Obama also has settled on former Senate Democratic leader Tom Daschle to be his secretary of Health and Human Services and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson to be Commerce secretary. Last week, he named key members of his economic team, including Timothy Geithner, president of Federal Reserve Bank of New York, as Treasury secretary. The decisions mean Obama has half of the 15-member Cabinet assembled less than a month after the election, including the most prominent positions at State, Justice, Treasury and Defense. With the world grappling with war, recession and terrorist threats that erupted this week during coordinated attacks in India, Obama was moving swiftly to try to bring reassurance and continuity in the federal government when he takes over in less than two months … Obama’s choice of Hillary Clinton was an extraordinary gesture of good will after a year in which the two rivals competed for the Democratic nomination in a long, bitter primary battle … The bitterness began melting away in June after Clinton ended her campaign and endorsed Obama. She went on to campaign for him in his general election contest against Republican Sen. John McCain. Advisers said Obama had for several months envisioned Clinton as his top diplomat, and he invited her to Chicago to discuss the job just a week after the Nov. 4 election. The two met privately Nov. 13 in Obama’s transition office in downtown Chicago. Clinton was said to be interested and then to waver, concerned about relinquishing her Senate seat and the political independence it conferred. Those concerns were largely resolved after Obama assured her she would be able to choose a staff and have direct access to him, advisers said.

Personally, I think this decision is the perfect way for the US to benefit from the leadership of both Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. In the primary season, I was strongly on Team Hillary but happily supported Obama when he won the nomination. Unlike many other people, I’m glad he did not select Hillary to be his VP because I think she can better serve this country as the Secretary of State. This way, we have the best of both worlds. Obama and Clinton will make an amazing team and will be better able to work together to get things done in this capacity. I’ve been thrilled at the prospect of Hillary Clinton being named our nation’s top diplomat since the reports began to swirl a few weeks ago … now that it’s official, I’m over the moon. The coming administration has filled me with such hope and optimism … I can’t wait for them to get to work.

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Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama came together in a very public show of unity in the very small town of Unity, NH (where, during the primary season in New Hampshire, Clinton won 107 votes and Obama won 107 votes) yesterday to show the Democratic party and the country as a whole that they are now on the same team … the team that intends to win back the White House come November. Here are a few photos from yesterday’s unity rally in Unity, NH:

Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton came to this tiny town of Unity on Friday for their first public appearance after a bitter primary fight. Less certain was whether Unity would come to them. “We had a spirited dialogue,” acknowledged Mrs. Clinton, speaking first before a crowd of roughly 3,000, many laughing. She was referring to the presidential nomination campaign, not the extended time the former rivals spent together Friday en route to the premiere of what the Obama campaign hopes will be a long-running buddy movie, at least through November. “That was the nicest way I could think of phrasing it,” Mrs. Clinton added, to more laughter. Unity was both the venue and the watchword of the heavily choreographed event, held on the grounds of an old elementary school, adjoined by fields of wildflowers. Event organizers were hoping to evoke the feel of a latter-day Woodstock — only with better weather, more portable toilets and no skinny-dipping. It was left to the main acts, Mr. Obama and Mrs. Clinton, to supply the peace and love. “Unity is not only a beautiful place, as we can see, it’s a wonderful feeling, isn’t it?” Mrs. Clinton said while Mr. Obama sat on a stool, nodding in agreement. A few minutes later, Mr. Obama said of his vanquished rival, “I know firsthand how good she is, how tough she is, how passionate she is, how committed she is.” Woodstock or no, Unity at least provided the ultimate festival for students of political body language. Mr. Obama, the presumptive Democratic nominee, and Mrs. Clinton appeared arm in arm, waving to a cheering crowd. U2’s “Beautiful Day” blared over loudspeakers, sputtering out for a few nervous seconds before recovering. Mr. Obama’s too-long blue tie went nicely with Mrs. Clinton’s blue pantsuit … The Unity spirit was every bit in keeping with that of recent days. Mrs. Clinton returned Tuesday to the Senate and spoke of her commitment to campaign for Mr. Obama. The two held a joint fund-raiser in Washington on Thursday night, and later in the evening, Mr. Obama’s ever-present “body man,” Reggie Love, was seen dining in Georgetown with his Clinton counterpart, Huma Abedin, and two other people. On Friday, Mrs. Clinton and Mr. Obama arrived simultaneously at an airport in Washington, where they exchanged a kiss and smiled as they stepped onto a chartered plane. They chatted through the 70-minute flight, sitting side by side, and continued the conversation during a 60-minute bus ride to Unity. As has been well chronicled, this remote town near the Vermont border was chosen not just for its Hollywood name, but also for the perfect split of votes cast in the New Hampshire primary — 107 for each candidate. “Divine intervention,” explained Jeanne Shaheen, a former New Hampshire governor and now a Democratic candidate for the United States Senate. Less well known is that the town of Unity was nearly torn asunder by a land dispute in the 18th century. Then called Buckingham, it was rechristened Unity in 1764 after the conflict was resolved. Democrats were seeking a similar rapprochement Friday, and both principals were very much with the program. “I hope you’ll work as hard for Senator Obama as many of you did for me,” Mrs. Clinton said, directing her remarks to her supporters, some of them with Hillary T-shirts and placards. Mr. Obama said, “Hillary and I may have started with separate goals in this campaign, but we made history together” … “We have to make it a priority in our lives to elect Barack Obama the next president of the United States,” Mrs. Clinton told her supporters, including many who came with their own checks for Mr. Obama’s campaign. “This was a hard-fought campaign,” she said. “That’s what made it so exciting and intense and why people’s passions ran so high on both sides. But we are a family, and we have an opportunity now to really demonstrate clearly we do know what’s at stake, and we will do whatever it takes to win back this White House.” Mr. Obama responded in a similar spirit. “For 16 months, Senator Clinton and I have shared the stage as rivals,” he said. “But, today, I couldn’t be happier and more honored and more moved that we’re sharing this stage as allies.” He largely stuck to his standard stump speech, sprinkled heavily with “Hillarys” and “Unitys.” “Thank you, Senator Hillary Clinton; thank you, New Hampshire,” he said, and the candidates rejoined at the podium for more synchronized waving. After a few seconds, Mrs. Clinton disappeared down some back steps, leaving Mr. Obama on stage by himself.

Finally … the day I’ve longed for has finally come at last. I make it no secret that I am rooting and will work for a Democratic Party win in November and altho I was on Team Hillary during the primary portion of the campaign, I am wholeheartedly on Team Obama. I feel it is imperative that the Democrats win back the Presidency in the coming election and I can’t even convey how THRILLED I am that we are on the verge of electing our first President of color. I honestly wasn’t sure I’d ever see such a possibility in my lifetime (I always hoped) but now we are on the verge of that reality. It’s a very exciting time for the United States … I look forward to bearing witness to history when Barack Obama becomes our next President in November :)

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The day that Senator Hillary Clinton never wanted to see finally arrived today … ending her bid for the White House, Hillary appeared at one final rally in Washington DC this morning to formally endorse and pledge her support to Senator Barack Obama as the Democratic Party nominee for President of the United States of America:

Click HERE to watch video of Hillary suspending her campaign, click HERE for her endorsement of Barack Obama. At last, the brightest and best from both the Clinton and Obama campaigns will be working together to ensure that the Democrats win the White House in November. It is such an exciting time right now … we move full speed ahead into the general election. It is such a relief that one Democratic nominee has finally been decided upon … united together, we will win. Woot! Woot! [Source]

Senator Hillary Clinton has made the official announcement that she is ready to end her campaign for the Democratic Party nomination for the Presidency of the United States of America and fully intends to endorse the presumptive nominee and her primary campaign opponent Senator Barack Obama. The Clinton campaign sent an email to all of its supporters early this morning to inform them of this announcement, here is the full text of that email:

Hillary Rodham Clinton

The New York Times explains Clinton’s plans for her endorsement and how the Democratic Party is planning to unify and move forward from this point on:

Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton will endorse Senator Barack Obama on Saturday, bringing a close to her 17-month campaign for the White House, aides said. Her decision came after Democrats urged her Wednesday to leave the race and allow the party to coalesce around Mr. Obama. Howard Wolfson, one of Mrs. Clinton’s chief strategists, and other aides said she would express support for Mr. Obama and party unity at an event in Washington that day. One adviser said Mrs. Clinton would concede defeat, congratulate Mr. Obama and proclaim him the party’s nominee, while pledging to do what was needed to assure his victory in November. Her decision came after a day of conversations with supporters on Capitol Hill about her future now that Mr. Obama had clinched the nomination. Mrs. Clinton had, in a speech after Tuesday night’s primaries, suggested she wanted to wait before deciding about her future, but in conversations Wednesday, her aides said, she was urged to step aside. “We pledged to support her to the end,” Representative Charles B. Rangel, a New York Democrat who has been a patron of Mrs. Clinton since she first ran for the Senate, said in an interview. “Our problem is not being able to determine when the hell the end is.” Mrs. Clinton’s decision came as some of her most prominent supporters — including former Vice President Walter F. Mondale — announced they were now backing Mr. Obama. “I was for Hillary — I wasn’t against Obama, who I think is very talented,” Mr. Mondale said. “I’m glad we made a decision and I hope we can unite our party and move forward.” One of Mrs. Clinton’s aides said they were told that except for her senior advisers, there was no reason to report to work after Friday, and that they were invited to Mrs. Clinton’s house for a farewell celebration. The announcement from Mrs. Clinton was moved to Saturday to accommodate more supporters who wanted to attend, aides said. “Senator Clinton will be hosting an event in Washington, D.C., to thank her supporters and express her support for Senator Obama and party unity,” Mr. Wolfson said. Mr. Obama, not waiting for a formal concession from Mrs. Clinton, announced a three-member vice-presidential selection committee that will include Caroline Kennedy, who has become a close personal adviser since endorsing him four months ago. With some Democrats promoting Mrs. Clinton as Mr. Obama’s No. 2, his aides said they would move slowly in the search, allowing passions from the bruising primary battles to cool. “Now that the interfamily squabble is done,” Mr. Obama said Wednesday evening at a Manhattan fund-raiser, “all of us can focus on what needs to be done in November.” Earlier Wednesday, Mr. Obama and Mrs. Clinton crossed paths briefly in Washington. As he left the Capitol, Mr. Obama told reporters, “We’re going to have a conversation in the coming weeks.” … Aides to Mr. Obama and Mrs. Clinton said that at least some of Mrs. Clinton’s fund-raisers would move to join the Obama campaign. Still, with the realization of defeat still settling in, it appeared that most of her major financial backers were holding back until they got a clearer signal from Mrs. Clinton of her intentions. “I’m being aggressively courted by folks in the Obama campaign,” said Mark Aronchick, a Philadelphia lawyer, who is a national finance co-chairman. “I’ve told them all, ‘Everybody relax. Take a deep breath. There’s time enough here.’” On Thursday, Mr. Obama planned to head to the southwestern tip of Virginia, in Appalachia, to begin courting voters in a state that traditionally goes Republican but could be a battleground in the fall. Then, he intends to take a few days to strategize privately about the general-election campaign.

I am very much looking forward to the unification of the Democratic Party so that we can all work together and ensure that we take back the White House. I echo Mondale’s sentiments, I was for Hillary Clinton and always believed she would make an outstanding President and was never against Barack Obama. Now that he has emerged as the Democratic nominee, I fully endorse his campaign and plan to do whatever I can to help him become the next President of the United States. This election is very important, y’all. It is vital that we make a serious change in leadership or our country is going to suffer further. I have no doubt in my mind that Barack Obama will be able to bring us the change that our country desperately needs.

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