Politics | 12/01/2008 8:55 am

10 Things You May Not Know About Hillary Clinton

By The Staff at wowOwow.com

With Hillary Clinton set to be named Barack Obama’s secretary of state, we thought we’d take a few minutes to offer ten things you may not know about one of the world’s most famous women.

1. One would think the junior New York senator would grab her favorite food from one of the Big Apple’s delis, but Clinton actually prefers Oliver Burgers from Pickwick in Chicago, Barack Obama’s hometown.

2. If we were to guess Sen. Clinton’s favorite show, we’d probably say “Law & Order” or perhaps another drama of that ilk. But, unfortunately, we’d be wrong. Clinton says she’s a devoted fan of "American Idol" and simply adores last season’s winner, David Cook. The senator must have been absolutely swooning when Cook serenaded her at the Glamour Women of the Year Awards earlier this month.

3. Yes, Clinton likes recent "American Idol" David Cook, but she’ll always love Aretha Franklin, The Rolling Stones, Carly Simon and U2, all of whom she’s cited as some of her musical musts.

4. Alright, she may not be the Julia Child of Chappaqua, but Hillary Clinton claims on her MySpace page that she makes a “decent” plate of scrambled eggs.

5. Clinton’s typically cool as a cucumber on camera, but that doesn’t mean this politician doesn’t like to work up a sweat. Her preferred physical activity? Speed walking. Senators, they’re just like us!

6. Sure, Sen. Clinton gets down and dirty with the rest of Washington, but she prefers to get her hands dirty in her garden.

7. Clinton describes being "naughty" as sleeping in until 7 AM.

8. Hillary Clinton doesn’t take a bubble bath to relieve stress – she finds solace in organizing her closets. Hey, Hillary — next time you’re feeling overwhelmed, come on over to our place. We need some help!

9. In addition to spending time in her garden, Mrs. Clinton also enjoys taking in a good flick, but has a special place for the internationally-set “Casablanca,” and “Out of Africa,” but also can’t resist sitting down for the all-American classic, “The Wizard of Oz.”

10. Diplomacy requires very specific language – and Clinton knows how to pick her words carefully. In addition to her years in Washington, Clinton’s trained her internal dictionary with years of playing Scrabble and cracking crossword puzzles.

83 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

Well sometimes potty training is not so hilarious as my 2 year old just had an accident on the couch tonight—ugh. Talk about an ugly conversation with my husband! Anyway, I’m okay with those conversations sometimes. It’s just tough sometimes to have controversial discussions with your friends anyway, because someone always leaves with hurt feelings or a different look at you because of your opinions. I’m sure that is why so many folks have flocked to blogs, talk radio, and debating on cable news. I admire someone who can agree on certain things—like Bush contributing to AIDS. In fact, in a lot of ways, Bush has been more of a Democrat then Republican—No Child Left Behind (with Ted Kennedy), Medicare Drugs, immigration, etc. I am aware of the attacks before on the WTC—in fact, when Clinton was in office. So I understand your point that the terrorists were using this as their reason for the hatred and attacks—though I will say it’s very clear they have a religious agenda too. And Obama getting in office does take away one of their mantras, but it does not take away their religious hatred of America—especially since Obama is of the Christian tradition. So maybe it does matter, but I’m not sure it matters to those that want to kill us. Maybe to those Europeans that think we are jerks—but not the terrorists. And I’m guessing from my experience internationally that most of the Europeans, etc. don’t even really know much about our politics—maybe about Iraq—but little else. My husband and I are financial advisors, so we follow economics pretty closely. Things were prosperous under Clinton, but he was able to take advantage of the internet bubble (which added huge surpluses to the budget from tax revenue). Clinton also did some very moderate things and along with the Republican congress balanced the budget (much easier to do in good times). Bush started with a recession in the making, then 9/11, so he was in trouble from the start. I’d like to think things would have been different after 9/11 than they were, but I’m not sure they would have. But he now has his chance to find Osama Bin Ladin—so we’ll see. You have to remember that hindsight IS 20/20. Did Obama really say all this about Afghanistan 8 years ago when this all started? (This isn’t rhetorical, I’m really asking.) Remember with Iraq that there were at least 15 UN resolutions against Iraq and Hillary, our new Sec of State, said and voted we needed to go in. So I’m always amazed when Bush gets all the blame for that. If Iraq is considered a mistake, then it’s a bipartisan mistake. Obama may have made a different decision had he actually had a chance to vote. Speaking of blame, Bush has been blamed for literally everything that has happened bad in this country for 8 years. I’m not defending all of his decisions. But I find it interesting that he has been blamed for gasoline going up so high, but I’ve yet to see him getting credit for it going so low. We conservatives just don’t get any respect—ha! I sincerely hope that Obama is strong in diplomacy and defense. I truly think you cannot negotiate with terrorists—period. He may be black (or half-white as I like to say), but he is still an American and there are people out there that hate him for that. So we have now to see if your theory is true and God bless America either way! (Okay, time to clean off the sofa…)

By Susan Easterday on 12/01/2008 9:19 pm

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well, don’t even try to tell me you have any idea of Euro-Terrorism concern—-many years ago, i toured Europe, with big, heavy electrical power supplies—-looking for clients—-not one airport let me simply deplane—-they took my passport, visa—-and i waited sometimes hours for ‘clearance, have a nice day’—-hotels from Germany, Holland, France, and boy was Italy a pain, as others—-all the same—-check-in with big boxes? you are even followed—-did i leave out the Brits? an Irish name? Big heavy box???? say hi to 007—-i mean it—- nobody simply waltzes around over there—-or China—-we need to fire many idiots, with no ‘real-life’ experience and replace with known Euros—-my ex CEO’s opinion—-employees, that failed miserably—-ya fire ‘em, ok—-never fun—-but it’s them or you! if you’ve been abroad, even in a tour-group, alone certainly—-you were watched—-and there’s even a funny rule—-the better you seem an innocent—-closer the watch—-you’re not going to have just anyone learning to pilot a jet over there—-as here—-as for ‘god bless america’—-is that not illegal church/state union? that is the law—-

By gulliver fourmyle on 12/01/2008 11:53 pm

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Susan, I am old enough to remember FDR, the Depression, and all the administrations and Presidents that followed. Unquestionably George Bush is the most incompetent,insensitive,incapable byproduct of Cheney and the NeoCons, aand the worst President in at least the last 100 years [or more].. Bush lacks curiosity,brilliance, courage and insight. He is a crony driven horror that is responsible for millions been harmed and thousands murdered. Regulation and competence in government have disappeared. As we speak Bush is dismantelling 130 protective laws regarding chemical waste in our water, coal mine safety, forestry, and doing as much malicious damage to our land and our citizens as he can psssibly dream up.. He is in his usual mode of protecting corporations and business even when detrimental to the safety and health of our national resources and our citizens health. He is unredeemable in every way. January 20th cannot come soon enough.

By mitzi morris on 12/05/2008 6:15 pm

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Hi Susan, Sorry for the delay in responding to your last response in regard to our conversation on this issue. You said: “You have to remember that hindsight IS 20/20. Did Obama really say all this about Afghanistan 8 years ago when this all started? (This isn’t rhetorical, I’m really asking.)” Let me provide you with a couple of links from 2002 that I am positive you will view as prophetic in every aspect. I need to add, all that he said, surmised at the time could have been listened to, but wasn’t. He lacked the power, authority, position to truly change or affect how we as a nation were (doomed) to proceed. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXzmXy226po&feature=related http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Barack_Obama’s_Iraq_Speech As for your comments on Bush being blamed for all the ills of our nation, I understand where you’re coming from. The Iraq war was indeed a bipartisan debacle on a monumental scale. No argument there. However, you have to remember his job, 100% is to lead our country. To make the best decisions for us collectively so that we are a strong, safe and secure nation. I’m not throwing out hyperbole that is how I genuinely feel. You and I have addressed the contrast between the Clinton Administration and Bush’s. Clinton (very much like Obama) ran on a platform of change. He had clear cut ideas of how he saw our country proceeding. Concrete plans for what he was going to do the moment his foot crossed the threshold of the White House. He lived up to a majority of those promises. His first couple years were rocky, but we soon saw him settle into a stride and a pattern of sweeping changes. Big, bold moves that truly affected all aspects of our country and the world. And that happened because of “who” he is, his beliefs and political attitudes. His ability to be persuasive and as you point out, reach across the aisle and deal with Republicans. So as our President, he led our country, he took the lead positively. When you look at Bush, the reason why he is blamed for so many of our country’s problems is he did not lead. He entered the White House on a host of distorted and erroneous promises. Promises he knew he had no intention of fulfilling, or even attempting to. Why do we blame him for the oil prices? Because that is what he walked into the White House on, in bed with the oil companies. He put his relationship with them before the wants and needs of the country (and in my opinion still does). Why should we give him any praise for the fact the prices have dropped? In my mind it would be tantamount to a wife abuser who beats his wife everyday for a week and then after the 7th day decides not to hit her. Doing so with air of “see I didn’t hit you today, you should thank me.” Ummm…yeah but what about the last 7 days of torture? I rarely defend Bush because of the expansive degree of mistakes he has made that have been costly to us. As others have said on this post, he truly has been ineffective. But what’s most disturbing is his ineffectiveness in his job, it cost lives. His “knee jerk” decisions were deadly and irresponsible, and they didn’t have to happen. Yet as you pointed out he did leave some positive imprints. The problem is they are so few and pale in comparisson to all the damage he did. However I for one do applaud him for the changes he made for the good. I am guilty of the very thing that many Republicans are doing right now. 8 years ago and then 4 years ago when he was elected, I threw up my hands with exasperations at my fellow Americans. “What? You people are too blind to see he just stole an election?!…..What? You people actually believe he is more qualified to lead than John Kerry? Where have you people been for the last 4 years! Well fine….all of you idiots who voted for him are going to see you made a huge mistake and you’ll all regret this!” That was what I said with an air of “they’ll see…they’re going to be so mad when they see the chaos this bumpkin is going to do to our country.” And I am sure that is exactly how many Republicans feel about Obama. “How could they have voted for him….he’s not qualified…he’ll ruin our country….they’ll see.” But the flaw in my thinking at the time was there were/are real repercussions for his failures. Repercussions that have affected all our lives. Like you said in regard to 9/11, hindsight is 20/20. I can say the same about his election wins. 8 years later and he is all that I knew he was those many years ago, and the fact that I was right about him brings me no solace at all. Only time will tell how Obama will be recorded in the history books. Because he has shown (one need only take the time to look by way of online research) that he is all that he purports himself to be. He is sensible, logical, unemotional and a leader. Exactly what is needed in a president when times are good, but especially like now, when times are bad. I wish you would (and I think over time you will) trust in him and his actions without allowing the fact that he is a Democrat to cloud your ability to applaud his accomplishments on all our behalf’s.

By Belinda Joy on 12/05/2008 9:19 pm

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Hi Belinda, First of all—thank you for your time in this. I find you to be really heart-felt and respectful (except for that idiots comment above—but you probably wouldn’t have said that to my face!). It’s obvious that pretty much nothing I say on this site in defense of Bush’s record or presidency has any impact. So I want to mention something else that actually bothers me more than anything and that is Bush’s intent or motives. I know some people that know him (twice-removed) and say is a good, well-meaning man that wants the best for our country (just like Obama, you or I). And this comment, “He entered the White House on a host of distorted and erroneous promises. Promises he knew he had no intention of fulfilling, or even attempting to” is you, Belinda, telling me what Bush internal motives are—his heart. And that has turned into a total disdain for him as a man and an attempt to discount every action or good situation (ie gas prices). Most on here would think this is a totally irrelevant and weak discussion, but here’s why I think it’s not. I believe by questioning his motives/heart, you also question the motives and hearts of those of us that voted for him. And that’s what causes the huge divide in this country. It becomes not a discussion of ideas and policies—but one of personalities and motives. If Obama speaks,reacts and treats people like most of the women/men on this site do to those that have other opinions—then he is certainly not who you say he is. But on here, most of his supporters are dismissive, disrespectful and in a lot of cases demeaning to those that have different opinions. Let me tell you who I am..I’m 42, have two little kids, own a business with my husband who employs people (on contract right now), go to church, 10 pounds overweight, live in a diverse neighborhood, love Sbux, have a bachelor’s degree, paid 25% of our income in taxes 4 years ago and will probably pay little this year (started a new business and still in the red.) If you were my neighbor, I’m sure we’d be friends. I love my country—my motives are positive and I’m at least a little smart. I say that to tell you there are smart, real people on both sides. I didn’t vote for Obama because I don’t want universal healthcare, etc. But I assume his motives are pure and I think he is a smart family man. That’s the same respect I want for myself and the others who are on the “other side.” But I’ll tell you—in most cases—I’ve started getting a sick feeling when I get a response to my comments. Because I know I’m getting ready to find out how stupid I am. And I don’t need that. So this is my farewell post and thank you again for taking your time to respond. Best wishes to you and God bless you at this holiday season.

By Susan Easterday on 12/06/2008 10:47 am

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Your farewell post? Oh Susan, well for what it’s worth you seem like a wonderful woman and yes I agree if we were neighbors I have no doubt we would indeed be friends. The views you shared are very much like those of my closest friends who are Republicans. So unlike some on this site, I don’t get heated about our differences, I simply see them as….differences. Thanks for humoring me with our exchange on this issue, I really do love conversations like this on and off line. You’re great. God bless you as well and likewise, Merry Christmas.

By Belinda Joy on 12/06/2008 12:06 pm

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By Belinda Joy on 12/06/2008 12:06 pm

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HI Belinda, You got me—so that wasn’t my last post. Thank you for your kind words and the comment about differences—EXACTLY! I have at least 3 close friends who are liberal in their political leanings and we love each other. And it’s healthy to hear different opinions from your own, but there has got to be some objectivity too. I’ll certainly continue to check in and definitely read your posts—but don’t know if I’ll post again. Quite honestly, I think most people that post on here are not interested in another opinion or a different view—they just want to read more of their own. :-) Many blessings again, Susan

By Susan Easterday on 12/15/2008 6:32 pm

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i’ve explained Bush’s hiv concerns stemmed from his Master’s fears—-mass-extinction scares even the ruling elite. you and most do not see your true Rulers, and to think bush gives a hoot on African/Indian hiv problems? naive—-his bosses are scared, so he obeyed—-not from any humanistic stance—-hiv mutates to ‘air-bourne’, even your ‘hidden’ ruling elite are toast—-hence his disingenuous concern—-so read Howard Zinn—-open your eyes—-

By gulliver fourmyle on 12/01/2008 9:38 pm

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I guarantee that Obama will make mistakes. Every human and every leader does. The difference is Bush WAS a mistake. We need the world. We need to work with the world. And as for President Clinton, is is admired world wide. Al Qaeda doesn’t “dislike” us for our freedoms, they dislike us for our meddling in the Middle East.

By DeBúrca obj on 12/05/2008 4:22 pm

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I’m certainly not going to debate Bush, because that is a big mistake on this site—there are very few objective opinions of Bush on these blogs. I’m not fond of a lot of his decisions either (though they may not be the same ones as you). It’s clear that Al Qaeda and others dislike us for our religion(s) unlike their own and our western lifestyle—they clearly state this in all kinds of writings, videos, etc. I’m sure they don’t like us “meddling” as you have said, but it’s not just that. And if we think that, we are dangerously wrong. I have friends from the Middle East that confirm this.

By Susan Easterday on 12/05/2008 4:37 pm

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Al Qaeda does not hate us for our “freedom” or our religion.

By DeBúrca obj on 12/05/2008 5:21 pm

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I don’t want to get into a big debate about this, Al-Qaeda does not hate us “for our freedom”. That is simply not true. They don’t say it, they don’t insinuate it. The reason they fight us is quite simple, they cannot restore a united Islamic Caliphate across the Middle East with the United States supporting the totalitarian governments in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, the UAE, Oman, Yemen, and Egypt among others. To a vast majority of Muslims there is no separation of church and state, there is only God and His law. They don’t like our meddling in the Middle East. One of the original demands of Bin Laden was that we remove our military base from Saudi Arabia… which we did, btw.

By DeBúrca obj on 12/05/2008 5:26 pm

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But Susan you have been defending and debating Bush, praising Condi, and knocking Clinton. You are a typical idealogue and you ask that few comments here are not objective? Surely having friends from the Middle East is not a requirement for knowledge or objectivity. You appear to know nothing about international politics, and your concern about our security is laughable. Obama is fiercely aware of the dangerous world we live in and there is now hope that we can begin to secure the security we must maintain through respect,know how,competence, and first class diplomacy and inteligence. Now we can look forward to our troops being engaged intelligently and with the full protective armor and matreriel they have lacked for so long. Your defense of our worst President is indefensible.

By mitzi morris on 12/05/2008 6:26 pm

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“But I will ask you this—do you truly care what the whole world thinks of us?” Seeing that world opinion effects everything from trade and tourism to terrorism….yes…those of us with brains do care….a lot. That is why JFK started the Peace Corps to counter the global ‘Ugly American’ perspective. “We are an extraordinarily generous nation who gives and helps over and above the rest of world and gets little credit.” This does not happen to be true when compare the % of nation’s giving in relationship to their GNP. We don’t even pay our UN dues. “I would be rather be safe and prosperous” we are neighter safe or prosperous thanks to GWB. We haved the biggest deficit in the history of the world, we are the largest debtor nation on Earth, we spend more on military than all other industrial nations on Earth and less than all of them on education and health care, and have been fighting a phony, illegal oil war based on lies in a country 2/3rds the size of California….without them having launched one plane in defense….and have been there longer than it took us to win WII—a global war across many continents. “We were attacked just 8 months into the Bush presidency, so it wasn’t him that caused us to be attacked.” This is total hogwash. Read “A Nedw Pearl Harbor” and get a few facts. There is so much that is incorrect, naive, and ignorant of world events/facts/causes and consequences in this one paragraph….that suggest you stop discussing ‘lighter fare’ like ‘boob jobs’ with your girlfriends and start serious reading, listening to NPR, watching The News Hour, etc…..unless you’d prefer to have a 3rd grader’s view of the world for the rest of your life. Citizens have responsibility to be informed….and that doesn’t mean by parroting Fox News propaganda.

By Delete This on 12/01/2008 2:48 pm