If you think all elements of the GOP are prepared to get on with the business of the nation and not throw childlike fits of pouting, well, think again. Today, Senator John Cornyn of Texas objected to including Hillary Clinton's name in a unanimous consent vote for several Cabinet nominees, scheduled for hours after the swearing-in of President Obama. No, instead Senator Cornyn chose to act like a petulant child and deprive Senator Clinton of a unanimous consent vote. Now instead, a roll-call vote on Seantor Clinton's nomination to be Secretary of State will be held on Wednesday. She will be approved then. Senator Cornyn aimed to embarrass Senator Clinton, but he has, in fact, only embarrassed himself.

More from the New York Times.

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There were two very telling quotes by Secretary of State designate Hillary Clinton during today's Senate confirmation hearings as to the nature of foreign policy under an Obama Administration.  

``We must also actively pursue a strategy of smart power in the Middle East that addresses the security needs of Israel and the legitimate political and economic aspirations of the Palestinians.''

By  "smart power" Senator Clinton means that the United States should be using all the tools of foreign policy that are at our disposal.  In this regard the Obama Administration will pursue engaged, cooperative American global leadership consistent with the nation's democratic values and not rely on military might alone. This will mean reaching out to create stronger more broad-based partnerships with our allies as well as working to forge new bonds with foes such as Iran and Syria. An Obama foreign policy will seek to invest in "our common humanity as a way to achieve greater security." It is a marriage of principle and pragmatism and yet it is not overtly ideological. This is also a recognition that the neo-liberal "Washington Consensus" has failed. Instead of pushing market-based solutions to every problem, it seems that American foreign policy will take a wider approach to dealing with global problems.

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It never fails to amaze me how everyone has an opinion in the blogosphere. I guess that's what makes it all so interesting. (Well, sometimes, anyhow.) But, perhaps the most relevant story regarding much of this matter was updated today,  and it relates to what New Yorkers think about the matter. (Now there's a novel concept, huh?) Of course, at the end of the day this all comes down to one New Yorker, Governor David Paterson.

But, here's the latest scoop from the folks over at Quinnipiac: "New Quinnipiac Poll: NY'ers Favor Kennedy."

IMPORTANT UPDATE: If you look at my second comment, down below, you'll see that the poll percentages are actually quite deceptive, once you realize that Democratic voter registration massively outnumbers Republican voter registration in NY State. Essentially, Kennedy is strongly favored by New Yorkers...not just "favored," at least according to this poll.

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In the past 30 minutes, Alan Alarkon over at The Hill is now confirming, "from multiple sources," that Caroline Kennedy is quite interested in Hillary Clinton's New York senate seat. Read about it right here: "Caroline Kennedy Interested in Clinton's Seat:"

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"The more things change..."

There's lots of ranting going on in the Progressive blogging community these days, since November 4th, about centrism, bipartisanship, and a variety of other matters--from Joe Lieberman to Robert Gates to Hillary Clinton to Rahm Emanuel--which all circle back around to, essentially, the same conclusion (or, more accurately, concern):  Are we Progressives witnessing an alarmingly high level of successive Sister Souljah moments in recent days? And, is President-elect Obama's administration tacking too far to the right and thus alienating the very base that won him the Presidency?

(This is a sincere question to which I do not know the answer.)

Over the past 24 hrs., Glenn Greenwald, over at Salon.com, notes this may be the case in: "The mind of the Democratic leadership."

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