Politics | 01/20/2009 9:20 am
Sen. Cornyn to Squash Clinton Confirmation?

There may be a bit of Republican resistance to Hillary Clinton’s Senate confirmation today.
Although most expect the former First Lady to ultimately take over as secretary of state, Politico reports that Sen. John Cornyn, R-TX, plans to revisit hubby Bill Clinton’s already-controversial philanthropic foundation. More specifically, Cornyn’s miffed that Mrs. Clinton won’t agree to more oversight of the international group.
"Sen. Cornyn is a strong proponent of complete transparency and has fought for as much throughout his time in office. He is keeping all of his options on the table," Cornyn spokesman Kevin McLaughlin told Reuters. Cornyn’s considering calling for a voice vote, say sources.
That means that a roll-call vote would have to be taken Wednesday, where each senator’s name is called and their vote tallied. It also means senators’ Inauguration party plans will be disrupted.
Late last week, Cornyn wrote Clinton to express his concerns that foreign interests would try to use Bill Clinton’s foundation as a means of influencing her in her new job. On Monday, Clinton shot back via letter, quoting her testimony before the Foreign Relations Committee and her agreement with Obama, saying: "I will be focused on one thing, and one thing only — and that is safeguarding and advancing the security, the prosperity and the values of the people of this country."
Last week, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee endorsed Clinton 16-1, with Sen. David Vitter, R-LA, being the lone dissenter. We’ll have to wait and see whether he — and perhaps Cornyn — will be the only Republican opposing Clinton in the Senate. Republican Sens. Dick Lugar of Indiana and Tom Coburn of Oklahoma also have criticized Bill’s dealings.
Now, we know Hillary’s tough, and she’ll hang in there until given the green light, but perhaps it wouldn’t be so bad if she had to wait a day. Today is, after all, all about Barack Obama. Let her have her own tomorrow.























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