Clinton Takes Over at State

Hillary Clinton began her first day as secretary of state with a message for her new employees, the New York Times reports. “This is a new era,” she said as State Department workers applauded her arrival this morning. “We will make clear as we go forward that diplomacy and development are essential tools in achieving the long-term objectives of the United States.”

She signaled another change from the Bush administration by emphasizing that she will welcome all opinions, and will strive for a “sense of openness and candor in this building.”
President Obama will join Clinton at Foggy Bottom later today, where they’ll address employees; Clinton and Obama will also meet privately with VP Biden and national security adviser James Jones.
(More Obama administration stories.)