Hillary Clinton: 'Husband not secretary'

So what? Hillary was merely standing up for the reputations of herself, her husband and of the administration. Get over it...

http://www.political-buzz.com/

Seems like she was a little upset over her husband stealing the headlines in North Korea while she was in Africa dancing. That was the first time she appeared to make SNL Amy Pohler's angry characterization of her look somewhat truthful.

A little insecure are we???

Not a very diplomatic response to an innocent question from a student. I would understand her anger if the student had asked Hillary where she found such a large, lavender sausage skin to stuff herself into.

Her husband probably could do a better job of Sec. of State, but don't think he is Obamatised as Hillary is.

I guess that proves it was best to send Bill to North Korea. While his ego is as big as Hillary's, he can control it.

well its an honest mistake since he was in north korea doing her job that she wasnt able to

Oooo... are we getting an eentsy-teentsy bit bitchy?

What a wonderful temperament for our chief diplomat to foreign countries -- yelling at a student she thought offended her. Maybe she could muster the same level of outrage towards the thugs in Iran? Or just act a bit more professionally?

Not that I had any reservations, but it is great to see Secretary Clinton, doing such a first class job. She is a great representative of America in the international community. Your presence is having a great impact in the world. You are a credit to our country.
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.

I am with Hillary- ( that hurt)... what a weird question- she could have responded more diplomatically, but the questioner deserved the response he got.

Having said that - the questioner hit Hillary where it hurts most- the fact that the reason she was a Senator and is Sec of State is solely due to her husband.. she knows it , and it really makes her angry to have it exposed.

We all know that this is the true ( bundle of joy) Hillary here- not the sensitive, crying, campaigning Hillary we saw last fall..

And the lefties complained that McCain had a temper???

Just a little sample of what it would be like had she won.

Love all the excuse-making from Mark Silva about Hillary's outburst.
Whether it was a dumb question or not, it was not a very good answer by the Queen B. I think what is really roiling the Queen B is that she is a Secretary of State with no power and little to do. Biden supercedes her. The foreign policy czars for this region and that region supercede her and now her husband has been in the spotlight, undoubtedly at the urging of the Obama administration, with or without Hillary's blessing or involvement.
And, Don, please, I am not dissing Hillary, but what has she done that has been so outstanding? Take the blinder's off!

She showed her true colors. Still angry, after all these years.

Somehow I don't think Miss Hillary would have been so sharptongued had she been in Denmark and had the question been asked by a white student.

Wow, a response more appropriate for a waitress in a truck stop diner than US Secretary of State. And the body language to go with it! Why I'm glad she didn't win the primary.

How unprofessional she is. She is a loser.

The Big Dawg is planning a huge Vegas 63rd birthday party with all his buddies (Begala, Steve Bing) while Hill is safely in the Congo. That might've had something to do with her reaction. Well played, Big Dog, well played.

I didn't see an outburst or any anger by Hilary in this. I saw her state a fact....PERIOD!
Most of the third world countries don't recognize women in leadership roles. Even more advanced countries have kept women in subservient roles.
This clearly is a case of someone who does not recognize a womans leadership role in our country asking her opinion on what her husband (owner) thinks.
She put him in his place and I was glad to see it.

Lots of thoughtless and moronic postings here again. Mostly by folks who have a fixation for the Clintons.
Let's see now. How about the time when smarmy chickenhawk Cheney told Senator Leahy to go "f" himself.

Hillary Clinton: 'Husband not secretary'

This little fact never stopped her from being president.

Why did Hillary become unglued? Evidently. there was a mistake in translation, but in spite of that, she should have behaved like a diplomat, not fly off the handle.

I agree wtih Rachel. Imagine if a lady doctor was asked what her husband thought of her diagnosis?

I'm hardly a fan of Hillary, but I thought she was right in making it clear that she is the secretary of state.

That distinction needs to be made clear, especially since her husband might make, in the future, make an offhanded comment on foreign affairs that gets misconstrued as the administration's position.

Hey, John D, what are you talking about? I'm the Queen! Typical media makin' stuff up and not showing me the respect I deserve!

Sounds like a logical response.
As for the comment that she would have responded differently if the person had been white, GET REAL. A snide question from ANYONE is still a snide question.

Immature and extremely unprofessional. The dimwits defending her outburst obviously don't understand what the job requires. She is in Africa as a diplomat, not a shill for female empowerment. Can we get some adults in this administration please?

I think at least two people should be involved when translating questions so that errors in translation are avoided.
Mrs Clinton acted appropriately but this would not have happened if there was no error in translation.

If Condi Rice had done something like this, boy we would hear about it for months. And months.

I guess we could forgive her, she's just upset that her husband is up to his old tricks again: getting on a plane to pick up two girls.

Wow, America can be SO thankful that she did not become U.S. president!

Watch Hillary to do a Bobby Kennedy in 2012- everybody knows there's no real loyalty, and Hill surely hasn't lost any of her blinding ambition... why go down with the USS Obamamania?

Of course RFK was Attorney General, and when President Johnson's popularity started to slip, Kennedy turned on him and ran for President against him in the 1968 primaries. So anyone telling you today that the Democrats wouldn't run a serious primary challenge against Obama in 2012 -which I have heard often on lib blogs and elsewhere- clearly has no idea what they're talking about.

The recent hiring of Sid Blumenthal by Hillary is interesting, to say the least- he's about as loyal a Clintonite Rottweiler as one could imagine... brought on right as Obama's poll numbers begin to slip. Hmmm.

Barack Obama's personality quirks and narcissism bring predictable behaviors and reactions... the kinds of things that one's political opponents tend to take notice -and full advantage- of.

You can be sure that Hillary has- and is planning accordingly.

What an ego.

I admire Secretary of State Clinton. I think the very idea that the story here is that she "loses her temper" is preposterous. She spoke forcefully and clearly in answer to a question that was offensive. The double standard is once again in effect--women are "angry" when they speak with certainty; men are "strong."

To Reagnite Republican I can only ask: are you serious? Obama has been president for less than 7 of the 48 months he was elected to serve and you already have him facing a primary challenge in 2012? By his Secretary of State?? He still has 41 months to serve, for heaven's sake!

I'm sure you're quite bitter that the days of your conservative hero are long gone, but my goodness, get a grip on reality!

Good for Hillary.
She deserves respect. She is doing a wonderful job!

Give the gal a break - she knows Bill's in Vegas celebrating his birthday. Have lots of fun Bill!

For all those who are bashing her by your comments, you would do the same if someone had targeted an important issue that you worked so hard for but asked for someone else's opinion. By her being physically there, she is doing her job. She may not have been glorified publicly like Bill Clinton wanted attention for, but she is doing everything she can and always have. So think before you type your comments. You are not her, we weren't there and are not in her situation so it is wrong to accuse people of what they should or should not do/say.

I find it funny how so many men come on here and comment with such sexist remarks. You all genuinly suck as human beings. You think you're not being sexist but you are.Its in your DNA. Its sick how people don't even notice it. Good way to improve the world for your mothers,sisters,daughters,girlfrieds,wives etc.When talking about her talk about her as you would anyone else. And she wasnt dancing in Congo. She was addressing a huge huge issue about that place and what should be done to help reduce the violence and such. Maybe if you people read a little more you'd know instead of doing the same pathetic thing all men do when a woman speaks out against something.Call her a bitch. You are all sooooo so strong. It's what you're fooled to believe.Real strength is in treating people with respect despite what they are gender,ethnicity,age,culture ETC. Thats a strength that the majority of people lack. Congratulations. I am glad Im not like that. =)

Perhaps a more "diplomatic" answer would have been:
"In our country, my husband is entitled to his own opinion, and I, as Secretary of State have my opinion. I can share mine, but you would need to ask him for his."
No yelling, huffing, puffing, or pouting required.

The question was ignorant and inherently questioned the facts that Hillary Clinton was picked by the President and judged by the Congress to be the official spokesperson for the US on international affairs. As such, the question deserved the response it got, and I applaud the Secretary on this one. (And I'm not a real big Hillary fan in general.)

HE wanted her to win the presidential election so he could start smoking cigars in the ehite house again. S. O. S. office is like kissing his sister, (well, he is from Arkansas). I am sure he functions in the role as much or more than she does.
Part of the obama impotent presidency.

I actually don't blame her at all. I just wish she'd dump him so she can quit pretending that they actually are in a marriage. Straight people can do an excellent job turning the institution of marriage into a farce.

More fodder for late-night TV show monologues...

Secretary Clinton is in the Congo to call attention to the horrific sexual violence being carried out against women in that country. Yet the Tribune chooses to ignore that and play ball for the Republicans by publishing this tripe. Shame on you, Trib!

"Balls said the Queen, if I had some I'd be King"

You go Hillery!!!
Maybe next time some smart aleck male student will think twice about what he's saying. I don't blame HIllary from showing some spunk. In that male dominated country she was probably treated like a second class citizen. I'm sure Cheney would have told him to go "f" himself if he was asked what his wife thought.

Hilary was perfectly correct in her answer. First of all, none of us had seen the entire meeting prior to this small segment that had this particular question for her, so we have no clue if this was one of possibly a list of questions posed in this manner. However, regarding this specific one, i doubt that any representative of our country when asked what their spouses reaction/thoughts would be, would have answered in the same manner. If someone had asked Mrs. Bush her husbands thoughts on something plitical, perhaps she would be the only one who could have answered on the spot without asking him because i doubt that the man had a single thought of his own to begin with.

To the comment by "Reaganite Republican" above:

RFK had left the LBJ administration and was an elected U.S. Senator from New York.

RFK did NOT enter the 1968 race because LBJ's popularity was on the slide -- he entered the race AFTER LBJ essentially abdicated, stating that he would not seek re-election.

Fed up with Righties: Actually, if you saw the news this morning they explained that the translator messed up the question from the student. The student asked the question properly, it was the translator who messed up. But, John Stewart will have a good bit to work with.

Perhaps a more "diplomatic" answer would have been:
"In our country, my husband is entitled to his own opinion, and I, as Secretary of State have my opinion. I can share mine, but you would need to ask him for his."
No yelling, huffing, puffing, or pouting required.
Posted by: Professional | August 11, 2009 1:46 PM

Bingo, though I would leave the "In our country" bit out (sounds a little righteous). I can only presume that her response was based on what she had experienced regarding the treatment of women there and had just had it. However, she is supposed to be a diplomat and the student could have just been wondering what Bill's opinion was as a past president. I still give her an F for her response (or lack thereof).

She is absolutely 100% right in her reaction.

It's not her fault they mistranslated the question and she IS the Secretary of State and should call people out if they are asking her about her husband's opinion.

People acting like she's being "bitchy" or "insecure" need to learn that it's right for women to stand up for themselves like anyone else.

"Balls said the Queen, if I had some I'd be King"

WOW....People are so quick to judge her for her anger. Well, I guess the same people were also the ones who were angry at President Obama for talking down to United States Law Enforcement for answering a 911 call from a concerned neighbor. I guess it's not ok for Hillary but ok if she was the President. Another case of not the right skin color. OH MY!!! Did I type that in for everyone to see? Oh my my my.....I guess that just means I'm a racist then.....

. Another case of not the right skin color. OH MY!!! Did I type that in for everyone to see? Oh my my my.....I guess that just means I'm a racist then.....

Posted by: LINH | August 11, 2009 4:04 PM

It was that uppity black kid's fault, right?

You have to look at it from her perspective. An outside observer probably hears "what does the former president think of.."
To her probably "I dont care what you think. What does your husband think?" She shouldn't accept that question.

Even if it wasn't lost in translation, she could have gotten the same point across a little bit nicer.

This is exactly what the men in the Congo needed to hear! Their antiquated views of women even among current University students is exasperating to all women who have worked so hard for equality.

For Hilary NOT to have taken the strong stance that she did, would have minimized the abusive views that these men have of women.

Thank you Secretary of State Clinton!

The issue is the reaction of the Sec of State to a question directed to her. The tone of her voice, facial expression, body language, and response are all equally important – see the video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgF_PZg3EwY&feature=player_embedded . As the lead diplomat for the United States, she is our voice. Is this how we want our voice heard? Those of you who find no fault in her reaction do not understand her job responsibilities or are blinded by personal politics/agendas.

This makes me so angry. I don't blame her for responding in this way. Of course she could have been a bit more diplomatic but what a stupid question. Tthe fact that it was lost in translation is irrelevant - that's the question she was asked. I can't imagine a man in her position being asked his wife's opinion. I'm not a Hillary fan but on this occassion i'm on her side. Let's show some respect here!

Hey, remember when she was running against Obama and she said all those nasty things about him throughout the campaign and then she immediately switched gears when she saw she was losing and kissed butt to get her current position?

I just don't want America to forget how two-faced she is.

You have to hand it to BHO, he's got
Hillary running all over the world, which keeps her out of his hair.

I just wish Hillary had first tried diplomacy before she attacked the student. Then, when it was revealed to be a problem with the translation, she wouldn't look quite so belligerent.

These dem heavy handed tactics are making us look like egomaniacal brutes.

Good thing he didn't ask about Monica.

It looks like that question stirred up a few emotions in the secretary of state.

Umm, why is he asking what Obama thinks about it? She cannot speak for the President so perhaps he should call The White House to find out or ask President Obama while he is there.

I don't blame Hillary for being upset, whether it was a mistake or not. She keeps getting asked questions like "why does your husband support this and you do not?" and "why does Bill think this while you are different?" Seriously it's like people think she cannot have an opinion different from his...she is allowed to disagree with her husband. But I am glad the student cleared his mistake and she let it slide but, in the future, people should not ask her questions about why Bill is different from her in such and such a way. She can disagree with him. And people also need to realize this is about HER now, not Bill. If they want to know what Bill thinks on something, call his office in Harlem or ask him the question when he comes to visit.

Go Hillary! Keep up the great work and you got strong approval ratings to show you are doing great as SoS

*And for those typing snide comments about her not being in Korea. How are we supposed to know she was not behind the scenes working to rescue those journalists? I am sure she had a lot of input on how to approach the situation.*

RonnieReplican

Barack does not have any personality defects or quirks.

In case you haven't noticed, he is unflappable.
Cool as a cucumber.
A model of equanimity.
No drama.

Get it?

Being a brilliant orator and interlocutor, as was demonstrated today in that town hall, doesn't qualify as an "ideosyncracy", "defect" or "personality disorder".

The one who's certifiable is Sarah Palin.

Check out the American Psychiatric Association's
diagnostic guide for "histrionic personality disorder" and you can find examples of all the markers in her (mercifully) brief career as a national candidate. Aug. 29 - Nov. 4, 2008, RIP Sarah.

I've admired Hillary Clinton for years for her fighting spirit but this time I'm disappointed. What happened to "Diplomacy?" She needs to take the course -- right now!

Hey, remember when she was running against Obama and she said all those nasty things about him throughout the campaign and then she immediately switched gears when she saw she was losing and kissed butt to get her current position?

I just don't want America to forget how two-faced she is.

Posted by: JohnnyWeak | August 11, 2009 7:34 PM

Bravo, well said. There is no loyalty in politics unless it furthers ones cause. obama was elected soley on his race, which is far worse than loose tabs, or any other recent events. hillary was named by obama to ensure he did not alienate her supporters. It had NOTHING to do with her qualifications. IF he did not appoint her, that is a large voter bas he loses.
There is no room for qualifications in politics. Qualifications mean nothing. It is all about geetting votes. If the only way to secure votes was to appoint Alfred E. Neuman, he would be Sec. of State.

Come, come now, Skeptic.

Ronnieite Replican thinks she is entitled to her own facts.

I bet you pointed out the the Emperor had no clothes too, when you were a little boy.

Don't confuse RonnieReplican with what really happened in the past.

Cohen is the best political writer in the UK and as usual is right.The strand in the Left which hated Blair for removing Saddam Hussein is at the root of Browns accession.

I would've done the same thing, because no man validates me or my personal or professional thoughts or decisions. For those who don't understand why one woman's ire would rise because she was asked what her husband thought about a situation that involved her - and not him, you are probably not women. You have probably not been second guessed by the secret society of back slapping white males or patronized or sexually harassed. You have perhaps not been the recipient of sexist comments or undermined by males. I was in the military in an overseas location and had a 10 minute dispute with a man selling tickets to an event. He wouldn't give me a military discount because he said, "women don't serve in the military." He was late teens or early 20s. I showed him mTy military ID and it infuriated him. He stil denied women serve in the military. This is the same type of sexism that causes women such as myself to let the pigs of the world know that I am at a minimum their equal. A Secretary of State does not have to put up with patronizing behavior from anybody - anywhere in the world.