JIM LEHRER: Good evening. At his regular briefing this afternoon, White House Press Secretary Jay Carney expressed confidence President Obama was closely monitoring yesterday’s invasion of Taiwan by the People’s Republic of China.
[Carney video clip]
Highly-placed administration sources tell me Secretary of Defense Robert Gates has been in frequent contact with President Obama’s personal aide since the crisis began. I’ll issue a statement soon in the President’s name urging both sides to seek a solution to their differences once hostilities cease.
JUDY WOODRUFF: Also on the NewsHour tonight:
Wisconsin protesters march on state capitol carrying exhumed body of labor icon Cesar Chavez
CIA is reportedly selling suitcase nukes in Afghan bazaars to lure Osama bin Laden out of hiding.
Joint Chiefs Chairman Mullen OKs burqas for Muslim women submariners.
Treasury Secretary Geithner cites rising gas prices as proof of booming economy.
RAY SUAREZ: Up first, we interview Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, just returned from Asia, and National Intelligence Director James Clapper. First question to you, Madame Secretary: the People’s Republic is clearly the aggressor in the Taiwan Strait. What counsel did you give the President?
HILLARY CLINTON: I’ll see him at tonight’s White House gala honoring America’s first black mountain man. I will advise him to honor our commitment to Taiwan by ordering a naval blockade of the Port of Los Angeles. That’ll hit the Chinese where it hurts, in the pocketbook. Of course, he won’t agree.
SUAREZ: Probably not. Have you abandoned hope of a nuclear weapons deal with North Korea?
CLINTON: [nodding, tearing up] It’s not easy to watch this go down, Ray. I worked so hard to make it happen, to find a place for the Hermit Kingdom in the Global Village. Kim Jong-il and I talked and talked and laughed and wept, I stamped my feet, he cursed, we danced and air-kissed, I even threw a lamp at him, but we couldn’t get it done.
SUAREZ: What happens now, Madame Secretary?
CLINTON: One more good cry tonight and I’ll be in a better frame of mind when I meet with Ahmadinejad in Tehran next week.
SUAREZ: Director Clapper, are we supporting the anti-Qaddafi forces in Libya?
CLAPPER: Not directly, Ray. That would require the President to make a decision. But we’re looking the other way as the Saudis supply arms to the Libs.
SUAREZ: “Libs”?
CLAPPER: The President insists we use the term “Libs” when referring to the rebels. He says it makes him feel like they’re the good guys.
SUAREZ: Oh. Madame Secretary, rumors abound you’re about to make a major announcement concerning your future. Can you give us a preview?
CLINTON: Certainly, Ray. As you know, President Obama and I aren’t on the same page any more. I need to shake things up. So, on April 1st the State Department will secede from the Administration.
SUAREZ: Pretty drastic move.
CLINTON: I don’t operate well when I have to answer to someone, Ray. Secession guarantees a clean break. Then, absent accountability, I’ll be able to work more closely with Congress and the White House.
SUAREZ: Is your family on board?
CLINTON: Chelsea’s thrilled. She’ll be my ambassador to Washington while I groom her to succeed me as Head of State. Bill, well, I’m posting him to Zimbabwe, with Maddie Albright as his Number Two. Should keep him out of trouble.
SUAREZ: What will your title be?
CLINTON: AFL-CIO President Dick Trumpka suggested I proclaim myself “Secretary for Life,” subject to a show-of-hands ratification by Department careerists. A “Diplomats’ Free Choice Initiative,” he called it. I’ll decide before visiting the states in May to stay at my summer home in Chappaqua, New York.
SUAREZ: We wish you well. Director Clapper, the “President’s Commission on Foreign Provocations” finally reported out yesterday after two years’ work. What are your recommendations?
CLAPPER: The President has an image problem at home and abroad: he appears weak and indecisive. That invites aggressive behavior from people like Chavez, Putin, and Glenn Beck. We suggested several ways for him to counter those perceptions.
SUAREZ: Such as?
CLAPPER: Go out to Creech Air Base north of Las Vegas where the Air Force runs overseas drone operations. Bring along pool reporters to tape him remote piloting a Reaper and dropping a Paveway II on some al Qaeda hotshot in a Pakistani border village. Or, replace the White House basketball court with a firing range and unwind with an M16A4 instead of shooting hoops. Or, wear a string of Taliban ears around his neck at his next press conference.
SUAREZ: And?
CLAPPER: He wasn’t interested. Said he’d ride his bicycle without a helmet from now on to show what he’s made of.
SUAREZ: Comment on the Administration’s plan to deal with the pirate plague in the Indian Ocean.
CLAPPER: The President’s sending Vice-President Biden to the pirates’ lair in Somalia to discuss their surrender and the release of hostages, Ray. Joe’s been instructed to remain there until he has a deal, even if negotiations last through next year’s elections.
SUAREZ: Final question, Madame Secretary: a former aide claims in a new book that you considered planting attractive young women on Obama’s campaign team in 2008 in hopes of sparking what she said you called an “Obimbo Eruption.” Is that . . . .
CLINTON: Don’t go there, Ray.
COMMENTS
Please let us know if you're having issues with commenting.