Quote of the day: Clinton's larynx
Posted: Thursday, July 16, 2009 2:24 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under:
State Dept.
From NBC's Libby Leist
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton responding to reports that she has been been sidelined by the White House, she said that she still has a voice.
"I broke my elbow not my larynx," Clinton said.
*** MORE *** Hillary Clinton struck back today at reports she has been sidelined by the White House in foreign policy decision-making. In a press availability with the Mexican and Canadian Foreign Ministers at the State Department, Clinton was well-prepared with the clever line, "I broke my elbow not my larynx."
Clinton said she is "very honored and confident" about her working relationship with the White House and with President Obama.
And while she insisted she does not pay attention to what is being said about her, she was sure to rattle off all the contributions she is making as America's top diplomat: flying off to India and Thailand tonight, China talks next week, meetings with Iraqi officials and an August trip to Africa.
As far as her recent complaints about the vetting process for political appointments, Clinton argued this is a government wide problem, not specific to the Obama administration.
"I don't think there's anyone who has ever served in government who is not frustrated by the system that our country has," she said.
She described the vetting process as "much more complicated, cumbersome and lengthy" than its ever been and an issue that needs to be addressed.
She added that it puts her in a difficult position having to explain to her foreign counterparts why the U.S. does not have its government fully up and running yet after six months.
