Secretary Clinton hosts Prime Minister Manmohan Singh ahead of State Dinner

Today was all about India! Secretary Clinton attended the Official South Lawn Arrival Ceremony for Dr. Manmohan Singh, the Prime Minister of the Republic of India, and his wife, Mrs. Gursharan Kaur, at the White House.

Shortly afterward, Secretary Clinton joined President Obama and Prime Minister Singh, at the White House for a bilateral meeting.

Secretary Clinton then hosted a Luncheon for Prime Minister Singh and Mrs. Kaur alongside Vice President Joe Biden and Jill Biden. Also in attendance was First Lady Michelle Obama.

Read her remarks here or watch below:

After a few other meetings and bilaterals, at 7pm EST, Secretary Clinton attended President Obama's State Dinner in honor of Prime Minister Singh and Mrs. Kaur, in a tent on the South Lawn of the White House. There has been much buzz in the politosphere about who is invited, what everyone will be wearing etc, etc, about the State Dinner. We all know Hillary is invited but what will she be wearing!?

Stay tuned for (hopefully) some photos of her attire as well as a video of the State Dinner! Read entire post

Clintons, Bushes, Obamas and many others say goodbye at Ted Kennedys Funeral

Today was the funeral of Senator Ted Kennedy. He was mourned by nearly 1,500 guests, including 3 former presidents, Obama, Bush and Clinton, as well as 58 current members of the U.S. Senate. President Obama delivered an emotional eulogy. Saying that the country may have viewed him as "heir to a weighty legacy" but he was playfully known by the youngest Kennedys less grandly: as the big cheese, "The Grand Fromage."

Ted Kennedy's sons, Patrick Kennedy and Ted Kennedy Jr., also spoke in very moving words which yes, brought me to tears.

The funeral was held at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Basilica in Boston Massachuttes. He will be buried later today in a private service at Arlington National Cemetery, alongside his brothers, John F. Kennedy and Robert Kennedy. The site is closed right now but will be opened to the public tomorrow at 8am. The burial will take place after another memorial ceremony that is to take place on the steps on the Capitol.

If you watched any of the funeral on television, it was hard to not notice that Hillary was sitting next to George Bush in the second row behind the Obamas. So interesting how many people came together to celebrate this great man. Here is an interesting play by play of the power pew on the left hand side from Politico:

Obamas, Bushes, Clintons

An amazing spectacle of power and kibbitzing in the basilica.

President Obama and First Lady Michelle just arrived, a few minutes after Bill and Hillary Clinton walked into the sanctuary. Former President George W. Bush seemed to have slipped into the church virtually unnoticed.

They are all congregated in the first few rows -- three living presidents and a sitting one -- with the jovial, easygoing vibe of a family reunion.

Hillary Clinton is having an intense conversation with President Bush, whom she demonized during the 2008 campaign, and the former president is listening intently and laughing as the secretary of state leans over to make to a point to Laura Bush.

Bill Clinton plopped down behind Obama -- and the president twisted around to hear the former POTUS make a long, finger-pointing point. Obama, a huge smile on his face, began holding forth on some point of his own a few minutes later.

After that, former president Clinton began chatting with Bush, who seemed to be speaking less than the chattier Democrats dominating his pew.

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Hillary Clinton celebrates Sojourner Truth with First Lady Michelle Obama and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi

Today Secretary Clinton along with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, and of course First Lady Michelle Obama gathered in Emancipation Hall in the US Capitol Building in Washington, DC for the unveiling ceremony for the bust of Sojourner Truth. Sojourner Truth was an 19th century American slave, abolitionist, and women's rights activist who is best-known for her speech, "Ain't I a Woman?".

"... Then that little man in black there, he says women can't have as much rights as men, 'cause Christ wasn't a woman! Where did your Christ come from? Where did your Christ come from? From God and a woman! Man had nothing to do with Him.

If the first woman God ever made was strong enough to turn the world upside down all alone, these women together ought to be able to turn it back , and get it right side up again! And now they is asking to do it, the men better let them..."

Sculptor Artis Lane and Texas Representative Sheila Jackson Lee joined in the unveiling.

I must get a little wonky here... Hillary looked radiant in her bright orange pantsuit! Love it. And Michelle Obama had on a really cute dress too! And I just think MO's expression in this pic is priceless!

Its really great to see three strong women honoring the strength and achievements of another great historic heroine. I'm glad for the fact that years from now, these three woman, no matter if you love them or hate them, are shaping our country and will be remembered and honored for their achievements as woman and dedicated servants to our country.... purely awesome. ok ok, enough geeking out here.

Hillary also spoke in tribute to Sojourner Truth and gave props to the FLOTUS.

"This is an achievement that did not come easily or quickly. It took years of hard work and faith by many people to make this day possible. And what a great honor and pleasure it is to have with us for this extraordinary moment in our nation’s history our First Lady, Michelle Obama."

Read her full remarks here or watch below:

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Secretary of State and First Lady Honor 'Women of Courage'

This afternoon Secretary Clinton hosted an event at the State Department honoring eight women who have displayed incredible courage in the fight for human rights in their homelands today. Read the full list here.

During her remarks, Hillary underscored the administration's determination to defend the rights of women around the world. She said:

"We simply cannot solve the global problems confronting us from a worldwide financial crisis to the risks of climate change to chronic hunger, disease and poverty that sap the energies and talents of hundreds of millions of people when half the world's population is left behind."

She also introduced First Lady Michelle Obama, who spoke at the event as well. Clinton said:

"Now, I know a little bit about the role that – (laughter) – Michelle Obama is filling now. And I have to say that in a very short time, she has, through her grace and her wisdom, become an inspiration to women and girls not only in the United States, but around the world. And it is so fitting that she would join us here at the State Department to celebrate the achievements of other extraordinary women, and to show her commitment to supporting women and girls around the globe. She understands, as we all do here at the State Department, that the status of women and girls is a key indicator of whether or not progress is possible in a society."

First Lady Michelle Obama told the gathering that they are an inspiration. "This is how real change occurs -- one determined woman at a time. And change is coming," she said.

Malaysian lawyer and human rights activist Ambiga Sreenevasan spoke on behalf of all eight recipients of the Secretary of State's Award for International Women of Courage. "Ours is a message of hope that something has been achieved, despite the odds," she said.

Earlier today, President Barack Obama honored American women of accomplishment at the White House and signed an executive order creating a White House Council on Women and Girls. Which is basically the same thing as the White House Office for Women's Initiatives and Outreach program that was implemented under President Clinton and taken away by President Bush. It's wonderful news that this has been reinstated! Also, since I am on the topic of women, legislation to create a Presidential Commission on Women is moving forward in Congress.

Read the full remarks here or watch the video of the event from the State Department:

Watch the MSNBC report:

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Hillary Clinton is The Female Force!

Today was the official street release of "Female Force," a comic series based on prominent women in modern politics, including and most importantly, the one and only: Hillary Clinton.

“We’re excited to bring this book to the table,” says Bluewater’s Vice President Jason Schultz.“There are a couple comics focusing on John McCain and Barack Obama, we wanted to feature Hilary who broke all the rules in this election and made history.” Oh! I LOVE that line!

Publisher Darren G. Davis said, “John McCain and Barack Obama have all of the spotlight. Our goal is to show the historical impact that maybe underrated by those who are too focused on the candidates to fully understand the historical impact of being a few votes short for the 1st female president. Many people are daunted by the endless stream of articles on the candidates. A visual medium provides perspective that is not only accessible but more relatable to the average person without loosing any of the information involved”.

This 32-page comic book went through two cover options. Scratching out the tighter fitting superhero-esque pantsuit and opting for the more classic Hillary look. I think the first option is hot, but the makers thought it looked too much like a joke and they wanted to make sure they were taken seriously.

The book is officially entitled: “Female Force: Hillary Clinton” will be telling the story of her life, and will explore both sides of the issue, from her positive contribution to the new feminist ethos to the detractors who argue against her attempt to secure the nomination to the very end.

Writer Neal Bailey penned each title to follow true-life events of influential women in the political spotlight, who have been and will continue to be instrumental in shaping American history. While true to comic book format, the narratives are often in flippant or satirical in tone, but reflect what the company says is "great respect for the intelligent women they chose" for their series.

“I am writing Hillary Clinton from a perceptive of someone who did not admire her at 1st and throughout the process of research has come to admire and be utterly fascinated by what is obviously the most underrated historical figure in modern History," said writer Neal Bailey. Of course, this is what always happens... once you start to learn about the greatness of Madame Hillary you come to know she is in fact the most underrated, unappreciated, important and historic political figure, both male and female in our time.

Bluewater Productions has also created a comic on the life of Sarah Palin, and is looking to soon release comics on Michelle Obama and Caroline Kennedy.

So far, I've heard that they are all SOLD OUT of Hillary Comics. (I tried and failed to order one today!)

“We are excited to be going to a 2nd printing on the Hillary Clinton title,” said Bluewater Productions publisher Darren G. Davis. “We thought when we overprinted these issues there would be enough for the demand. We had no clue how well these books would be received in the marketplace."

Oh, I am sure they will be doing much more than a second run of these babies. Pre-Order them here!

Read a neat interview with the Publisher of Female Force here.

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