Statement of Senator Clinton on Her Vote on the Nomination of Michael Chertoff to be Secretary of Homeland Security
There is no position in government of greater importance to the security of our country and of my home state of New York than that of the Secretary of Homeland Security. It has been said before, but it bears repeating -- our Nation faces a new kind of challenge to our way of life. I have no doubt we will overcome this challenge, but we will do so only by maintaining and strengthening our civil society and our commitment to being a force for decency and respect for law in the world. After rigorous review of Judge Chertoff's testimony and my personal discussion with him, I have come to the conclusion that Judge Chertoff is professionally qualified to be Secretary of Homeland Security and that he understands and respects the values that the Secretary works to defend.
Judge Chertoff's stated commitment to threat-and vulnerability-based funding and his repeated expressions of support for policies that are essential to the security of New Yorkers are decisive factors in my decision to vote for his confirmation.
(snip)
Finally, I was pleased to learn that Judge Chertoff testified that his personal experiences have given him a thorough appreciation and respect for state and local perspectives. I agree wholeheartedly that we need to work in partnership with state and local governments. When it comes to securing the homeland, states and local communities must be full partners.
Back in 2005 (two short years ago), Hillary Clinton was praising Michael Chertoff for his competence:
http://www.vote-smart.org/speech_detail.php?sc_id=145183&keyword=chertof...
Statement of Senator Clinton on Her Vote on the Nomination of Michael Chertoff to be Secretary of Homeland Security
There is no position in government of greater importance to the security of our country and of my home state of New York than that of the Secretary of Homeland Security. It has been said before, but it bears repeating -- our Nation faces a new kind of challenge to our way of life. I have no doubt we will overcome this challenge, but we will do so only by maintaining and strengthening our civil society and our commitment to being a force for decency and respect for law in the world. After rigorous review of Judge Chertoff's testimony and my personal discussion with him, I have come to the conclusion that Judge Chertoff is professionally qualified to be Secretary of Homeland Security and that he understands and respects the values that the Secretary works to defend.
Judge Chertoff's stated commitment to threat-and vulnerability-based funding and his repeated expressions of support for policies that are essential to the security of New Yorkers are decisive factors in my decision to vote for his confirmation.
(snip)
Finally, I was pleased to learn that Judge Chertoff testified that his personal experiences have given him a thorough appreciation and respect for state and local perspectives. I agree wholeheartedly that we need to work in partnership with state and local governments. When it comes to securing the homeland, states and local communities must be full partners.
(more... )