Clinton garners accolades, faces few tough questions

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) on Tuesday received a warm embrace from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee usually reserved for heads of state, suggesting her confirmation as secretary of State is a foregone conclusion.

On a day in which several Senate Foreign Relations panel members had to shuttle in and out to participate in a slew of confirmation hearings, Clinton’s colleagues heaped praise on the former first lady. And members of both parties said she is more than capable to replace Condoleezza Rice as the country’s top diplomat.

{mosads}“Her qualifications for the post are remarkable,” said Sen. Richard Lugar (Ind.), the ranking Republican on the committee. “Her presence at the helm of the State Department could open unique opportunities for United States diplomacy and could bolster efforts to improve foreign attitudes toward the United States.

She has a longstanding relationship with many world leaders that could be put to great use in the service of our country.”

Lugar indicated that he expects Clinton to be confirmed, noting that he looks forward to working with her more frequently when she is secretary of State.

However, the Indiana senator also raised one issue that some viewed as a potential stumbling block — former President Bill Clinton’s charitable foundation, which has received over $500 million in donations.

Foreign governments that Hillary Clinton would have to deal with in her new job have made generous contributions to her husband’s foundation.

In an effort to smooth her path toward confirmation, Bill Clinton released a list of all donors. Lugar argued that more transparency would be beneficial.

The Republican said that he shared Obama’s view that the activities of the former president and his foundation should “not be a barrier to Sen. Clinton’s service.”

However, he noted that the foundation could be a “temptation” for foreign governments and entities that could view it “as a means to gain favor with the secretary of State.”

Lugar argued that the foundation should stop accepting foreign donations in the future.

In her opening remarks, Clinton stressed that she believes the U.S. has to rely on “smart power,” the utilization of diplomacy, economic power and military might, as well as political, legal and cultural options, to pursue its goals.

“The best way to advance America’s interests in reducing global threats and seizing global opportunities is to design and implement global solutions,” Clinton stated. “That isn’t a philosophical point. This is our reality.”

Clinton also said that the U.S. cannot give up on peace in the Middle East no matter how “intractable” the problems of the region appear to be. She vowed to work on a lasting peace agreement that “brings real security to Israel.”

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HUD nominee Donovan ‘unusually qualified’

Shaun Donovan, President-elect Obama’s nominee to head the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), looked set for smooth sailing through the confirmation process Tuesday.

{mosads}Donovan, a former top HUD staffer who has served for nearly five years as commissioner of New York City’s Department of Housing Preservation and Development, won praise from both sides of the aisle as senators voiced hope he would be able to bring the foreclosure crisis under control.

“You will be one of the most significant figures in our overall financial economy,” said Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.).

Donovan said the foreclosure crisis facing American homeowners is his top priority and added that the incoming Obama administration is set to offer “a bold and comprehensive plan that will address the crisis.”

Widely praised for his work in New York City, Donovan won adulation from senators from across the country, including one who knows more than most about the agency Donovan seeks to lead.

“You are unusually qualified for the job,” Sen. Mel Martinez (R-Fla.), President Bush’s first HUD secretary, said. Turning to fellow committee members, Martinez went further: “He’s far more qualified than I was and perhaps the attorney general of New York was at the time,” he said, referring to Clinton HUD Secretary Andrew Cuomo.

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Education secretary-designate hedges on NCLB

Arne Duncan, President-elect Obama’s nominee to head the Department of Education, earned praise from the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee and appears to be on a path to a quick confirmation.

{mosads}Duncan emphasized investing heavily in early education and teacher retention as a means to improve graduation rates at the high school and college level. He endorsed using merit pay to increase salaries for teachers — a proposal opposed by the National Education Association, the nation’s largest teachers’ union.

He did not take a clear stand on the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), President Bush’s signature education law, signed in 2002, that set new standards for public schools and is up for reauthorization during this Congress.

He simply echoed Obama’s call “that we should neither bury NCLB nor praise it without reservation.”

“There is no question that schools across America can benefit from the same kind of fresh thinking that you have brought to Chicago public schools. As you know very well, perhaps our greatest educational challenge is to improve the performance of urban and public schools serving high-poverty communities,” said Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), who chaired the hearing in place of Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.).