In a piece that could've been crafted by Hillary Clinton's PR shop, NBC's Andrea Mitchell, on Monday's "Today" show, gushed on and on about the Secretary of State's new "role of a lifetime," as a "a foreign policy superstar," and cheered Clinton has the "highest approval ratings of any time in her career."
Mitchell's theme throughout her story was that the "anger of the primaries," between Clinton and Barack Obama was long gone and that in her role of Secretary of State she has proven to be a "key asset to Team Obama," as "Today" co-anchor Matt Lauer observed in the intro. There wasn't a hint of skepticism or negative note in the story as Mitchell threw in soundbites from John Podesta, Joe Klein and presidential historian Doris Kearns Goodwin who chimed: "She seems to be really enjoying herself, as does he."
The following is a complete transcript of the segment as it was aired on the May 4, "Today" show:
MATT LAUER: And now to what some are calling an unlikely alliance. During the presidential campaign, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton were fierce adversaries. But despite that bitter campaign, Clinton is proving to be a key asset to Team Obama as Secretary of State. NBC's Andrea Mitchell has more on that. Andrea, good morning to you.
[On screen headline: "From Foes To Friends, The Obama-Clinton Team"]
ANDREA MITCHELL: Good morning, Matt. Well it did seem at the time to be a risky choice, President Obama's decision to name Hillary Clinton as his Secretary of State. But so far, it looks like their, that controversial decision is paying off and the two formal rivals have formed a real bond. Where in the world is Hillary Clinton? Circling the globe, more than 72,000 miles in just the first 100 days, but now as Barack Obama's envoy and confidante, speaking for him and his policy, not her own.
HILLARY CLINTON: I bring greetings from President Obama...On behalf of President Obama...From President Obama.
MITCHELL: White House officials say the feeling is mutual.
BARACK OBAMA: I've given you an early gift. Hillary Clinton.
MITCHELL: Gone is the anger of the primaries.
CLINTON: Shame on you, Barack Obama!
MITCHELL: Their foreign policy differences - that's yesterday. Today she's playing for his team.
CLINTON: President Obama won the election. He beat me in a primary, in which he put forth a different approach. And he is now our president and we all want our president, no matter of which party, to succeed.
MITCHELL: Remember how she once said he was too inexperienced to be president? Not any more.
JOHN PODESTA, OBAMA TRANSITION TEAM: Wherever their struggles were during the course of the presidential nominating fight I think those are long past and I think people are working together effectively and working together well as a team.
MITCHELL: What does he get? A foreign policy superstar, attracting more attention for his message.
DORIS KEARNS GOODWIN: He's got a very powerful point person for his argument that he wants diplomacy to have a greater stake in the world and he couldn't have found a more powerful person than Hillary for that.
MITCHELL: And he, more than anyone, knows she is tough, undaunted by challenges on every continent. As for all those critics who said it wouldn't work, especially because of the ex-president, even he has gotten out of her way.
JOE KLEIN, TIME: Former President Clinton has been strangely silent these last three or four months, which is all to the good.
MITCHELL: Clearing the stage for his wife in the role of a lifetime.
GOODWIN: She seems more vibrant, more alive, loving the job. You felt, you feel that when you watch her out there. She seems relaxed. She seems to be really enjoying herself, as does he.
MITCHELL: And that's not to say that there aren't real problems. Most notably, right now Pakistan. They're really concerned about the safety of Pakistan's nuclear weapons supply. But that said she does seem to be enjoying her job, and that's reflected in her popularity. Right now, the highest approval ratings of any time in her career. So, at least for now, being a team player seems to have its own rewards. Matt?
LAUER: Alright Andrea, thank you very much. Andrea Mitchell in Washington this morning.
—Geoffrey Dickens is the senior news analyst at the Media Research Center.




















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Hmmm....
May 4, 2009 - 10:25 ET by StarAZNow they like her on NBC? I guess if they build her up enough, she has no chance of getting that justiceship--needed too darn much at State.
they may need
May 4, 2009 - 10:44 ET by klchadwicka drool cup over at nbc when talking about her as well...that is as long as she doesn't dis "TEAM BARACK"... link to video on my youtube channel:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQTQKDGqfPo
http://politicaldessert.wordpress.com
Ah yes....a Superstar
May 4, 2009 - 10:36 ET by BlondeCackles over piracy.
Is it just me, or has her facelift kind of flopped since the election?
I hope he fails, too.
Superstar?
May 4, 2009 - 10:38 ET by GalvanicMitchell has always been one of Hillary Clinton's most unabashed supporters in the media. That's why she's covering the State Department for NBC.
It's not surprising that in an MSM-world that consumes its own uber-hype, Hillary Clinton is declared a foreign policy superstar before she's even accomplished a single thing as Secretary of State.
Meanwhile, North Korea fired a missile despite warnings from Clinton, and Iran is continuing to progress toward a nuclear weapon capability. Obviously, they are not impressed by superstars.
Hey Hillary...
May 4, 2009 - 10:43 ET by Mike Sargent...what's Russian for "overcharge?"
Awww, snap.
I know Mike
May 4, 2009 - 10:51 ET by Cool ArrowIt's "middle class tax cut"
LYDSEXICS UNTIE!
→ Andrea Mitchell
May 4, 2009 - 10:43 ET by Cool ArrowWho didn't see that coming?
Hillary and Obama have already telegraphed a go-ahead to Iran on Israel.
Why wouldn't Mitchell love her?
LYDSEXICS UNTIE!
Hillary
May 4, 2009 - 12:05 ET by merlin61Yes, Cool Arrow, you are right. And, Andrea,
we don't need "rock stars and super stars", we
need strong conscientious people who know
what the heck they are talking about and the
consequences of their actions. We don't need
cheerleaders like you. Grow up and be a real
journalist and do some real investigative work.
Secy. of State
May 4, 2009 - 10:49 ET by QueenMumMaybe it's just me, but whenever I've seen the Hilldabeast speaking on matters of State, she's reading from a prepared statement. This tells me she lacks confidence in her abilities. And in fact, is incompetent to meet with foreign leaders on an equal footing. I think she probably understands the issues; but I don't think she understands how to deal with them effectively. Just another affirmative action appointment by the Obama adminstration.
Civilization is the progress toward a society of privacy. The savage's whole existence is public, ruled by the laws of the tribe. Civilization is the process of setting man free from men. - Ayn Rand
Goodness. Has Andrea begun to feel a tingle...
May 4, 2009 - 10:55 ET by ThalpyGoodness. Has Andrea begun to feel a tingle running down her leg? If I didn't know better, I'd think Andrea is smitten.
Evidently, love is blind, but it must be blinding as well.
Oprah, call your
May 4, 2009 - 11:00 ET by QueenMumOprah, call your office.
Civilization is the progress toward a society of privacy. The savage's whole existence is public, ruled by the laws of the tribe. Civilization is the process of setting man free from men. - Ayn Rand
Obama is a 'Rock Star'
May 4, 2009 - 10:56 ET by MidAmericaObama is a 'Rock Star' and hillary is a 'Superstar' so I'm guessing that Superstar is a lower rank than Rock Star. They really need to get an official ranking list published so we can keep all this straight.
When it all goes south, do
May 4, 2009 - 10:58 ET by Chris NormanWhen it all goes south, do you think any of the MSM will label them "falling stars"?
The "Mainstream" Media: By liberals. For liberals.
No.
May 4, 2009 - 10:58 ET by Blonde:)
I hope he fails, too.
I know - rhetorical
May 4, 2009 - 11:04 ET by Chris NormanI know - rhetorical question - huh? :)
The "Mainstream" Media: By liberals. For liberals.
Hillary, "a foreign policy
May 4, 2009 - 10:56 ET by Chris NormanHillary, "a foreign policy superstar"? Really? Exactly what has she accomplished to earn this title?
The "Mainstream" Media: By liberals. For liberals.
If I'm not mistaken --
May 4, 2009 - 11:40 ET by mytwocentsIf I'm not mistaken, she just has to be able to fog a mirror. But that might be aiming too high.
Of course Hillary
May 4, 2009 - 11:18 ET by slickwillie2001After the Bamster's pitiful 100 day performance and drop in the polls, I'm not surprised that Hillary's numbers are climbing. Folks are recognizing that anyone would have been better than the Bamster as President. Hillary is looking good for 2012 as well. Any early polls on the 2012 dem primary?
Andrea Mitchell
May 4, 2009 - 11:59 ET by MaximusBraveheartAndrea Mitchell: GAG. NOT a REPORTER. She gives good reason to change the channel. I cannot wait till her pieces are over. Try reporting fair & balanced and maybe your personal stock & ratings would go up. M-B
It's always been an open
May 4, 2009 - 17:26 ET by fitzfongIt's always been an open secret that Hillary Clinton is a complete lightweight. She's an ignorant gaffe machine in the mold of Joe Biden...but at least Joe Biden has the self-confidence to pull it off. Hillary needs an army of shills like Andrea Mitchell constantly playing up her "intelligence" and her "gravitas" in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary. She needs to be protected because her woefully fragile ego cannot withstand legitimate criticism. For all the pathetic portrayals of Hillary as an international "star", citizens around the world know that she's a joke...an unremarkable shyster who managed to elevate herself by hitching her sizeable trailer to an accomplished, if highly dubious, man.
"Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery." -Winston Churchill