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By Accepting New Role, Hillary Finally Concedes

Acceptance speech closes the curtain on long nomination battle

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Dec 2, 2008 3:57 AM CST

(Newser) – Hillary Clinton's formal acceptance of her upcoming role as secretary of state yesterday looked to many like the moment she conceded the election for real, Alessandra Stanley writes in the New York Times. She told the audience that she would find it hard to leave the Senate, but it was apparent she was "also forswearing her independent campaign identity," Stanley writes.

The shadow of the bitter nomination battle hung over the press conference after the announcement, Stanley writes, with reporters eager to quiz Barack Obama about the "evolution" in his views since his dismissal of Clinton's foreign policy on the campaign trail. Obama told the press he understood that they were having fun dredging up quotes from the campaign—which eventually prompted a smile from Clinton.

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President-elect Barack Obama and Secretary of State-designate Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton walk out together after a news conference in Chicago yesterday. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

Barack Obama stands with Secretary of State-designate Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and National Security Adviser-designate Ret. Marine Gen. James Jones yesterday. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

Secretary of State-designate Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton speaks during a news conference in Chicago yesterday. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

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Hillary Clinton accepts the position of secretary of state in the Obama administration. (MissMelodia)

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Those who watched her struggle for the Democratic nomination with such ferocity for the past two years were reminded that she was also forswearing her independent campaign identity. - Alessandra Stanley

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By Accepting New Role, Hillary Finally Concedes