January 13, 2009
Posted: 12:25 PM ET

ALT TEXT

Clinton made her case to be the next secretary of state Tuesday before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. (Getty Images)

WASHINGTON (CNN) — Sen. Hillary Clinton said Tuesday that withdrawing U.S. troops from Iraq would be a "top priority" of President-elect Barack Obama's administration.

Watch: 'American leadership has been wanting but is still wanted' says Clinton

Clinton's comments came as she appeared before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for her confirmation hearing for the position of secretary of state.

During her testimony, Clinton said the withdrawal would occur "in the context of the status of forces agreement" that the Bush administration recently signed with the Iraqi government that requires the removal of U.S. combat troops by 2011.

Clinton, however, acknowledging a "difference in timing" with the Iraqis, says the administration hopes to remove U.S. troops from cities and villages by June.

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Filed under: Hillary Clinton


shoegazer   January 13th, 2009 5:14 pm ET

What they are laughing about in this picture is what you can't see….
John Kerry just asked Nancy Pelosi to pull his finger.

Amen, bring our boys home   January 13th, 2009 5:05 pm ET

Bush has messed this up so bad, our men need their families, get them home to a hero's welcome

Sue   January 13th, 2009 4:17 pm ET

Does this mean that the financial slowdown in USA is less important than closing our involvement in Iraq which war has already been won?

Tom in Delaware   January 13th, 2009 4:02 pm ET

Yeah, so did Barack Obama….big deal.

Brad - California   January 13th, 2009 4:01 pm ET

Hmmm, we can afford to continue paying for and bailing out Iraq, Afghanistan, Israel, and the American financial institutions, but we can't do anything for Americans. Pathetic.

PJP in OK   January 13th, 2009 4:00 pm ET

Look at that picture! She sure looks old!!

Jack, KY   January 13th, 2009 3:51 pm ET

Hillary will make a great secretary of state.

David   January 13th, 2009 3:40 pm ET

She's a joke. That's a good one, Hillary.

aware   January 13th, 2009 3:36 pm ET

Don't pander to Pelosi, Reid and PEBO Hillary!

You have the wisdom they all lack! :)

Charlie in Maine   January 13th, 2009 3:36 pm ET

Amen.

blackhat   January 13th, 2009 3:33 pm ET

Clintons not President and she is wrong about that!

Proud American   January 13th, 2009 3:29 pm ET

Thank You Madam sec'y.

Larry in Houston TX   January 13th, 2009 3:14 pm ET

WoW ! What a Great leader you are going to be, Hillary !
I would say you're going to be the best this country has EVER had, in whatever your role is !

That Condolezza Rice, is just about as worthless as the person who appointed her, and we all know who that was ! (She will go back to california, & he will go back to crawford) (They should both be sent to that prison in California, that sits on the ocean)

All "Condi" ever done was waste the taxpayers money, especially when she was seen playing the piano, and doing nothing but socializing, in Great Britain…..

Cuba Wanted Change in 1959 - Be Careful What You Wish For   January 13th, 2009 3:00 pm ET

And so, we throw Iraq to the terrorists to support the Left Wing agenda

proudliberal-independent   January 13th, 2009 2:42 pm ET

yes. and if they aren't withdrawn, the protests will begin in earnest.

Virginia   January 13th, 2009 2:39 pm ET

DUH! That has been a priority, but guaranteeing the Iraqis safety after the fall of Sadaam is also important. Gradually the Iraqis are taking charge of their country. Bring them home, but not before things are more stable.

vet   January 13th, 2009 2:33 pm ET

remove troops by 2011….watch the different factions kill each other….return by 2013. Sweet…

BigVin   January 13th, 2009 2:32 pm ET

Shame on all of you who support this SELF SERVING woman. Hillary is the biggest fraud in history. Even though Mr. Obama has the thinnest resume of anyone who has been elected to the presidency, we at least are fortunate not to have Mrs. Clinton Commander in Chief.

SHAME, SHAME, SHAME ON EVERYONE WHO SUPPORTS HER!!!!

Carl Justus   January 13th, 2009 2:27 pm ET

I think it is time the Iraqi's take control of their own country, unless of coursr they have the idea that Bush is going to be around to keep sending them money, rebuild their infrastructure, and protect them forever–like a hundred years according to McCain.

If they do not want to shed their own blood for their country, then let them be ruled by someone else instead of us keep bailing them out.

Bush should have a complete brain wave test for ever sending troops in their in the first place—there has to be some problem between his ears.

Hate sells tickets   January 13th, 2009 2:23 pm ET

I see dee plane boss,I see dee plane.Hillary can also see the oval office from there.It makes her so happy.

tired of corporate politics   January 13th, 2009 2:19 pm ET

This is wonderful. Obama and Clinton are on the same page and she will make it happen. So much money is being dumped on this debacle that it could probably fund the current bailout. OK I know it is not that simple but it is a move in right direction!

Beverly Williams   January 13th, 2009 2:17 pm ET

While I can agree with ending wars, has anyone every stated how many people were killed by guns and accidents in the U.S. while the Afgan and Iraqi wars have been in progress?? I mourn every loss in our military for whatever reason. But what is reality of life here?

Anna Finnerly   January 13th, 2009 2:14 pm ET

This woman will be a terrible representative to the Jews and Arabs in the Middle East. Because everyone in the USA bows to her whims, she thinks everyone in the world should, but the Middle East people govern themselves based on their religions which does not include Hillary.

MD   January 13th, 2009 2:13 pm ET

I saw the hearing on CNN. What a pathetic display of congressional ignorance by Kerry and Clinton. Does anyone in Washington realize what is going on in the world today?

cat   January 13th, 2009 2:11 pm ET

Bring our soldiers home.

CNN FAN   January 13th, 2009 2:10 pm ET

Re: SENATOR CLINTON CONFIRMATION – NATIONAL SECURITY AND POSSIBLE CONFLICT OF INTEREST – PLEASE CHECK AND REPORT ON SENATOR CLINTON'S AND PRESIDENT CLINTON'S BACKGROUND CONNECTION TO YAH LIN CHARLIE TRIE, JOHN HUANG, NORMAN HSU, JOHHNY CHUNG

EVERYMAN   January 13th, 2009 2:09 pm ET

Peace at all costs???

Jackie in Dallas   January 13th, 2009 2:05 pm ET

Thank goodness! One less drain on our economy…

Charm   January 13th, 2009 2:04 pm ET

Hillary is going to be a brilliant SoS.

Jeff from New Orleans   January 13th, 2009 2:02 pm ET

Yes please God can we make this happen!!! Lord Jesus please move in our country to bring our troops home!!!

PJP   January 13th, 2009 1:53 pm ET

This is the woman I wish would just go away!!! She has already had a bunch of years being a president and then a senator, why has she got to be back in the lime light? Her husband might have had the title but she ran the country into the ground.

richard   January 13th, 2009 1:48 pm ET

They forgot the captions at the bottom of the picture “American Traitors”

FreeNLovIt   January 13th, 2009 1:46 pm ET

Every senator needs to go through a session like this before they get the job. This will save a lot of taxpayers money. Throw campaigns out the door. Ask questions like these and then let us vote.

believe   January 13th, 2009 1:46 pm ET

help bring them home hillary.

Birds of a Feather   January 13th, 2009 1:45 pm ET

With all the greed and destruction this nation has seen in its economy why in heavens name are we about to put a Clinton back in office? Have we not learned our lesson?

The very questions being asked indicate that EVERYONE is concerned about Bill's shady business dealings and his influence over Hillary…so again why the heck are we even considering her as our Secretary of State. Put all that aside and think about her own statements from her own lips about oblitherating Iran (now she wants to negotiate with them?) her Bosnia landing under sniper fire. Her apparent opposition to everything "foreign relations" Obama stated. Her antagonostic polarizing personality.

Now WHY are we even considering it. Pathetic.

CO   January 13th, 2009 1:45 pm ET

"More power to you," Hillary! You and Pres. Obama will make America a nation to be proud of once again.

geraldine   January 13th, 2009 1:42 pm ET

Where's the article about the recently revealed favors she's done for big donors to Bill's foundation? I guess that's not news? Or just not news consistent with the Obama Train?

I Must Know   January 13th, 2009 1:42 pm ET

Will Chelsea be allowed behind the bench? Who will she sit behind? Gotta love the perks of being related to the former First Lady, NY Senator, future SoS.

Kerry is pointing   January 13th, 2009 1:41 pm ET

and asks Hillary if she can see the oval office from here?Yes, yes, she replies,isnt it wonderful,im almost there.

Michael G -Ventura ca   January 13th, 2009 1:38 pm ET

For those of us who chose Barack Obama from the start, we want to see that his Secretary of State represents his view on foreign affairs.
'I appreciate all she did in the GE, and I loved it when Bill was President- now we have Barack Obama who will get all the credit or blame. So, as long as Hillary represents his policies, fine- let her at em!

4 Hillary   January 13th, 2009 1:38 pm ET

Hillary – you should have been our President, but the next best thing is SoS. I look forward to you making our world a better place and continuing your fight for the "little people", women and the U.S. on the World Stage.

You are a true sHero in every sense of the word.

Tim   January 13th, 2009 1:36 pm ET

And we will get right to it as soon as conditions on the ground permit a withdrawl.

Uncle S.A.M.   January 13th, 2009 1:31 pm ET

It should be a top priority because the war is not only won, it's costing us booku bucks. Get Out Now!!!

irene   January 13th, 2009 1:31 pm ET

Finally, a breath of fresh air in DC. Get those troops out and fast. Then we need to arrest, try and convict the Bush administration for war crimes and abuse of power for personal profits and gain. Don't wimp out on this Obama. These crooks need to be dealt with so that the USA can regain it's place in the world as a nation with the moral fiber to do what is right and just. If we don't deal with these thugs who stole the office of presidency without being elected, other countries might demand their extrication to the world courts at the Hague. One can only hope…

Sherrol in Canada   January 13th, 2009 1:30 pm ET

She actually appears to be on the same page as Pres-elect Obama. Good show of solidarity Hillary!!!

WELCOME TO THE OBAMA SHOW!!!!!!!!!!!!   January 13th, 2009 1:29 pm ET

CAN YOU SAY WHITE FLAG OF SURRENDER!!!!!!!!!!

Tony   January 13th, 2009 1:29 pm ET

Jeez, everybody in the Democratic party is flip-flopping. Why do foolish Americans still trust these people?

chuck   January 13th, 2009 1:28 pm ET

I AGREE WITH HER.

THE OLD TIMER   January 13th, 2009 1:27 pm ET

watch out ITS ANOTHER CLINTON

Ed, Santa Fe, NM   January 13th, 2009 1:27 pm ET

does this woman own a dress?

southerncousin   January 13th, 2009 1:26 pm ET

Such a love-fest. Just bring the George Soros playbook read it and instantly you are a Secretray of State.

Kevin in Ohio   January 13th, 2009 1:26 pm ET

I've never seen such a softball hearing. This lady is not qualified to be dog-catcher.

Kin (Anaheim, Ca.)   January 13th, 2009 1:25 pm ET

HILLARY – You are a PRO. Life is hard when you cannot have it your way, but compromise can take THE STING out of DEFEAT.

HILLARY – You will be of great value for all Americans as you follow the OBAMA game plan. I trust you girl…

HILLARY – Thanks for COMPROMISING and recognizing the need to be apart of the new team.

Sweetie   January 13th, 2009 1:24 pm ET

Watching Hillary today was bitter sweet for me.

I really wish she was our PE!

She is a competent, intelligent woman….

We, the people are lucky to have he serving as Sec. of State!

Thank You Hillary!

Michael, Houston Texas   January 13th, 2009 1:23 pm ET

So when will know she is confirmed?

bsmith171   January 13th, 2009 1:22 pm ET

best photo for term limits!

didn't obama tell us for over ayear that hillary clinton was unqualified on foreign policy?

BW   January 13th, 2009 1:21 pm ET

What is this…a snapshot from "The Wizard of Oz"? No brains, no heart, no courage, and Dorothy/Hillary who needs someone to take her home…away from Washington…PLEASE!

Grace from MN   January 13th, 2009 1:19 pm ET

Thank goodness…bring those brave men and women home!

Edgardo   January 13th, 2009 1:14 pm ET

HILLARY for PRESIDENT in 2012!!!!!

She is magnificent as usual!!!! She could have been our President if DNC did not throw her out of the bus!!!

I cannot wait for the day that she runs again!

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