Here’s part of a public statement from Barack Obama’s presidential campaign back on March 11:

There is no doubt that Hillary Clinton played an important domestic policy role when she was First Lady. It is well known, for example, that she led the failed effort to pass universal health insurance. There is no reason to believe, however, that she was a key player in foreign policy at any time during the Clinton Administration.

She did not sit in on National Security Council meetings. She did not have a security clearance. She did not attend meetings in the Situation Room. She did not manage any part of the national security bureaucracy, nor did she have her own national security staff. She did not do any heavy-lifting with foreign governments, whether they were friendly or not. She never managed a foreign policy crisis, and there is no evidence to suggest that she participated in the decision-making that occurred in connection with any such crisis.

As far as the record shows, Senator Clinton never answered the phone either to make a decision on any pressing national security issue -- not at 3 AM or at any other time of day.

When asked to describe her experience, Senator Clinton has cited a handful of international incidents where she says she played a central role. But any fair-minded and objective judge of these claims -- i.e., by someone not affiliated with the Clinton campaign -- would conclude that Senator Clinton’s claims of foreign policy experience are exaggerated.

Heck of a résumé for Secretary of State, no?

Here’s Barack Obama’s statement about Madame Secretary today:

I have known Hillary Clinton as a friend, a colleague, a source of counsel, and as a campaign opponent. She possesses an extraordinary intelligence and toughness, and a remarkable work ethic. I am proud that she will be our next Secretary of State. She is an American of tremendous stature who will have my complete confidence; who knows many of the world’s leaders; who will command respect in every capitol; and who will clearly have the ability to advance our interests around the world.

Hillary’s appointment is a sign to friend and foe of the seriousness of my commitment to renew American diplomacy and restore our alliances. There is much to do — from preventing the spread of nuclear weapons to Iran and North Korea, to seeking a lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinians, to strengthening international institutions. I have no doubt that Hillary Clinton is the right person to lead our State Department, and to work with me in tackling this ambitious foreign policy agenda.

For once, a reporter in attendance noticed the odd smell of hypocrisy in the room. Go figure:

I’m still making those John Stewart eye-rubbing gestures at Obama’s statement that “I think she is going to be a outstanding Secretary of State.” (If you didn’t watch the whole video, cue it up to 2:52. Considering George Bush’s well-documented Yogi Berra-like speech patterns, this does not bode well for “change.”)

Hat tip: Hot Air