Clinton confirmation hearing preview

Here are the two main themes of HRC’s prepared statement tomorrow, as provided by one transition official:

1. A renewal of American leadership, and
2. A revitalization of diplomacy to promote our security interests and advance our values

One might expect fellow New York Sen. Charles Schumer to include the following in his remarks introducing Clinton:

Senator Clinton believes in "smart power" – using all the tools of foreign policy that are at our disposal. She also believes, as does the President-Elect, that diplomacy must be at the forefront of US foreign policy, and that it must be balanced with military power in ways that work for the 21st century.

Senator Clinton agrees with the President-elect that our country must be strong at home in order to be strong abroad – that our own progress depends on repairing our economy and working for shared economic growth and prosperity globally.

The Obama Administration will pursue engaged, cooperative American global leadership consistent with our democratic values. This will mean reaching out to create stronger partnerships with our allies and working to forge new bonds around the world. It will also mean investing in our common humanity as a way to achieve greater security.

Senator Clinton will speak about the importance of the State Department having the resources it needs to fulfill the critical demands of foreign policy in this new century and pursue the aggressive diplomacy of the Obama Administration.

Senator Clinton will emphasize that she will actively work in cooperation with Congress on foreign policy. She will stress the importance of bipartisanship, and of decision-making that is based on a marriage of principle and pragmatism, not ideology.

You can find a 79-page sneak preview of HRC’s answers to incoming SFRC chairman John Kerry‘s prepared questions here (pdf, ~4.5 MB), some regarding donors to her husband’s foundation. Also of note: Clinton tells Kerry, "No final decisions have been made on special envoys for South Asia."

One aide who encountered Clinton on her rounds visiting every member of the SFRC last week offered, "Overall, I was very impressed by HRC… She clearly has done her homework; she spoke with a clear command of the issues, and not just at a superficial level, but really getting into the details. She really wants to restore the Department’s capabilities and resources."

That should come as no surprise, says the National Security Network’s executive director Heather Hurlburt. "The fundamental thing is this is a woman who is a consummate professional," said Hurlburt. "She is not going to mess anything up. She is great at absorbing information, disciplined." The takeaway tomorrow, Hurlburt predicted, will be, "Hillary does it again."