Hillary Clinton Confirmed as Secretary of State

Hillary Clinton was confirmed on Wednesday as the new U.S. secretary of state, a day after hitting a temporary snag. – from CBCNews

But the vote in the Foreign Relations Committee was not unanimous, reflecting misgivings by some members that charitable fund-raising by the Senator’s husband – former President Bill Clinton – might present conflict-of-interest problems for the new secretary. – from VOA News

The only two dissenters were Republicans Jim DeMint of South Carolina and David Vitter of Louisiana. The first “aye” vote came from Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry, who made an impassioned speech on Clinton’s behalf and declared that Obama had promised him “to be serious” about battling climate change. – from AFP