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In the Shadows, Hillary's Power Grows

Retiring secretary of state has won Obama's admiration

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 2, 2009 6:31 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Hillary Clinton has kept a low profile at the G20 summit, ceding the spotlight to Barack Obama and Tim Geithner, and when she and the president travel to NATO summit and EU meetings over the next few days she may not utter a single word in public. But while the secretary of state is out of the spotlight, her influence in the Obama administration is rising. As the New York Times reports, Clinton's pragmatism and collegial approach have greatly impressed her former rival.

Beyond their weekly scheduled meeting, Clinton and Obama see each other several times a week in the White House, and aides say the secretary of state has come to see herself as the president's top staff member. But while the two leaders have a good rapport, Clinton had a vivid reminder of the administration's hierarchy on Tuesday night: Her relatively modest Boeing 757 was put in a holding pattern above London, while controllers cleared the skies for Air Force One.

Barack Obama introduces China's President Hu Jintao to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at Winfield House in London, Wednesday, April 1, 2009.
Barack Obama introduces China's President Hu Jintao to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at Winfield House in London, Wednesday, April 1, 2009.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
Barack Obama, flanked by Hillary Clinton and Timothy Geithner, in the Cabinet Room inside 10 Downing Street during their meeting with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Wednesday, April 1, 2009 .
Barack Obama, flanked by Hillary Clinton and Timothy Geithner, in the Cabinet Room inside 10 Downing Street during their meeting with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Wednesday, April 1, 2009 .   (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, meet Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at London's St James's Palace, Wednesday, April 1, 2009.
Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, meet Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at London's St James's Palace, Wednesday, April 1, 2009.   (AP Photo/Toby Melville/pool)
Queen Elizabeth II talks with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and French President Nicolas Sarkozy during a reception at London's Buckingham Palace for world leaders attending the G20 summit.
Queen Elizabeth II talks with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and French President Nicolas Sarkozy during a reception at London's Buckingham Palace for world leaders attending the G20 summit.   (AP Photo/John Stillwell/pool)
Barack Obama, flanked by Hillary Clinton and Timothy Geithner, takes part in a meeting with China's President Hu Jintao and his delegation at Winfield House in London, Wednesday, April 1, 2009.
Barack Obama, flanked by Hillary Clinton and Timothy Geithner, takes part in a meeting with China's President Hu Jintao and his delegation at Winfield House in London, Wednesday, April 1, 2009.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
Hillary Clinton and British Foreign Secretary David Miliband speak outside 10 Downing Street in London, Wednesday April 1, 2009.
Hillary Clinton and British Foreign Secretary David Miliband speak outside 10 Downing Street in London, Wednesday April 1, 2009.   (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 3 comments
Doctor-Zaius
Apr 2, 2009 11:40 AM CDT
Ooooh Scary! Be afraid Hillary haters. Be very afraid. Imagine a powerful Sec of State. Oooooh!
cornelison
Apr 2, 2009 5:46 AM CDT
What a difference a year makes. He's President and she's the best person for Sec. of State. I trust them both.
northeast
Apr 2, 2009 2:28 AM CDT
Haha, assuming that she stays in that position; based on the constant photo-ops and less than necessary "media hours," I'd say that she's still gunning for the top job. She's been doing a better job than the president has. Her hands are clean of every botched stimulus job, every (insignificant) gaffe, and every nomination debacle. I'M not afraid...but I would be if I was Obama.

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Barack Obama • Hillary Clinton • diplomacy • State Department • secretary of State • G20 • Obama administration • Obama Cabinet

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