Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Sunday praised President Obama's "smart" foreign policy leadership, pointing to the death of Osama bin Laden, the toppling of Muammar Gadaffi and the announcement that remaining U.S. forces will leave Iraq by year's end.
While declining to comment directly on the Republican presidential primary -- as has long been her custom -- Clinton said that Obama repeatedly has shown the type of leadership America and the world needs now.
Republicans generally have given credit to Obama for the operation that led to the fugitive al-Qaeda leader's death last May. But GOP lawmakers and presidential contenders questioned the president's approach to the conflict in Libya from the outset, and his announcement Friday confirming that no U.S. troops will remain in Iraq beyond Dec. 31 drew fresh criticism (see related story).
In a series of U.S. television interviews in Uzbekistan on Sunday, Clinton praised Obama's leadership in what she called "a complex, dangerous world."
"President Obama has passed with flying colors every leadership challenge," she told NBC's Meet the Press.
"I mean, look at what he has done, I mean, just to name a few things," she continued. "I mean, we were looking for bin Laden for 10 years. It was under President Obama's leadership that he was finally eliminated.
"Libya, with the kind of smart leadership that the president showed -- demonstrating that American leadership was essential, but it was important to try to bring others also into a coalition of efforts -- and the objective was achieved; keeping the promise to withdraw from Iraq but not leave Iraq by having a robust security and training mission accompanied by a very large diplomatic presence."
Clinton did not take up interviewer David Gregory's invitation to comment on the Republican candidates' foreign policy competence, except indirectly.
"I'm out of politics, as you know, David. I don't comment on it," she said. "But I think Americans are going to want to know that they have a steady, experienced, smart hand on the tiller of the ship of state, and there's no doubt that that's Barack Obama."
Clinton also referred to bin Laden and Libya during a Fox News Sunday interview.
"What we've seen from President Obama over the last two and a half years, and I think remarkably with the events of the last six months, is that his kind of smart leadership in a complex world is paying off," she said.
"He was the one who brought bin Laden finally down. He was the one who put together a coalition that eventually removed Gaddafi. So I think it's important that in this very complex, dangerous world, we have somebody in the White House who understands that America has to lead."
Interim Libyan leader Mustafa Abdel-Jalil told a rally of supporters in Benghazi on Sunday that Islam and shari'a would be the core of the new government and constitution, stating specifically that a Gaddafi-era ban on polygamy would be rescinded.
I want to thank you for watching and add that I just post the videos to stimulate healthy debate. This posting is not meant to be indicative of my agreement or disagreement. I sincerely appreciate your opinions. Hope your having a great day. Peace, Michael
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Slow Motion Video Reveals That It Is Brutally Killed Gaddafiby LaBachje45,959 views
Clinton is talking to the people that do not understand the corruptions that she is involved in. from my point of view she is wicked, malicious and a liar.
ENDAMERICASOON 3 months ago
"I'm out of politics.." Whatta crock! That lie ranks up there with she was named after Sir Edmund Hillary a few years after she was born. One thing about her...in politics or out...a Clinton is a Clinton is a Clinton...all LIARS!!!
MrKTVM 4 months ago
look at that hair---that keeps the bullshit off her cloths .
toetag88 4 months ago
...yeah yeah... tell this to someone that believes you...
Will224000 4 months ago
HA.
stitched2012 4 months ago