Hillary Clinton Rules Out 2012 Run

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told a New Zealand television channel that she has no plans to challenge Barack Obama for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2012.

“I’m very pleased to be doing what I’m doing as secretary of state,” the former First Lady said.

The U.S, said Clinton, “should be” ready for its first female President, but it won’t be her. During the interview, she also ruled out running for President in 2016.

President Obama Visits Rhode Island

According to the White House, President Obama is meeting with Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton and senior advisors this morning. 

Later today, he will then travel to Warwick, Rhode Island, to tour the facilities of American Cord & Webbing in Woonsocket.  The president will also deliver remarks to workers. 

Tonight, he will speak at a Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee reception at the Rhode Island Convention Center in Providence,  as well as at a dinner for the DCCC at a private residence in Rhode Island. 

Obama Pleased With Hiker's Release

President Barack Obama made the following statement today after the release of Sarah Shourd, one of three American hikers detained in Iran on espionage allegations:

“I am very pleased that Sarah Shourd has been released by the Iranian government, and will soon be united with her family. All Americans join with her courageous mother and family in celebrating her long-awaited return home. We are grateful to the Swiss, the Sultanate of Oman, and other friends and allies around the world who have worked tirelessly and admirably over the past several months to bring about this joyous reunion.

“While Sarah has been released, Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal remain prisoners in Iran who have committed no crime.  We remain hopeful that Iran will demonstrate renewed compassion by ensuring the return of Shane, Josh and all the other missing or detained Americans in Iran.  We salute the courage and strength of the Shourd, Bauer, and Fattal families, who have endured the unimaginable absence of their loved ones.  We have gained strength from their resolve, and will continue do everything we can to secure the release of their loved ones.”

Added U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, “I welcome Sarah Shourd’s release from detention in Iran, and am pleased that she will soon be reunited with her family. I appreciate the efforts of all those who have worked for her release, in particular the Swiss Protecting Power in Tehran, the Omani Government, and the many other world leaders who have raised this case and the cases of other detained or missing American citizens. Sarah’s fiancé Shane Bauer, Joshua Fattal, and other U.S. citizens remain detained or missing in Iran. We urge Iranian authorities to extend the same consideration to them by resolving their cases without delay and allowing them to immediately return to their families.”

Clinton: State Department Has To ‘Get Smart’ When It Comes To Spending

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Monday touched upon the importance of achieving fiscal responsibility within the State Department.

“We have got to get smart about how we spend our money, because we don’t have limitless resources,” Clinton said during an address at D.C.’s John Hopkins University.

Clinton explained that with unemployment so prevalent, she feels an obligation to reassure Americans that tax dollars allocated for diplomacy and development efforts are being used wisely.

“I have to be able to look them in the eye and tell them they are getting their money’s worth, and we just can’t keep doing what we’ve been doing and tell them that,” Clinton said.

Chelsea Clinton Marries Mark Mezvinsky

Chelsea Clinton, daughter of former president Bill Clinton and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, married Mark Mezvinsky in a private ceremony in Rhinebeck, New York this weekend.  Chelsea Clinton works at Avenue Capital Group and Mezvinsky is the son of former Iowa Congressman Edward Mezvinsky and former Pennsylvania Rep. Marjorie Margolies-Mezvinsky.

by Philip Bunnell