Pep Rallies
Day 14
Feb. 2, 2009
"Thank you and roll up your sleeves, because we have a lot of work to do."
—First Lady Michelle Obama, giving the Department of Education employees a pep talk as she begins her tour of the agencies
"I am so grateful to him for a lifetime of all kinds of experiences."
—Hillary Clinton says to laughs as she recognizes her husband in remarks at her swearing-in ceremony as Secretary of State
Two very influential D.C. women take center stage on Day 14. Michelle Obama kicks off her tour of the many agencies by visiting the Department of Education to greet employees and make remarks. Down at Foggy Bottom, Vice President Joe Biden gushes over Hillary Clinton as he performs her ceremonial swearing-in.
Meanwhile, lawmakers are keeping busy on Capitol Hill. The Senate confirms Obama's Attorney General nominee, Eric Holder, by a vote of 75-21, despite some initial buzz that there would be trouble with his involvement in the 2001 pardon of financier Marc Rich (which took place during the last days of the Clinton White House). HHS Secretary–nominee Daschle is also under the microscope as the controversy over his tax blunders heats up. He speaks briefly after a day of meetings with Senators on the Hill, saying there's "no excuse" for his mistakes and that he hopes the issue can be seen "in the context of 30 years of public service."