Clinton Approved,
Caroline Kennedy Withdraws

The U.S. Senate has confirmed Secretary of State designate Hillary Clinton to the post on the second day of President Barack Obama's administration.

Clinton was approved with a 94-2 vote Wednesday, with Republican senators Jim DeMint of South Carolina and David Vitter of Louisiana voting against Clinton's appointment as the country's top diplomat. Vitter cites a possible conflict of interest over Bill Clinton's foundation, which has accepted donations from foreign dignitaries around the world.

New York governor David Paterson, who received Hillary Clinton's one-line resignation letter today, said he would name a replacement on Saturday, but it will not be Caroline Kennedy. She has reportedly withdrawn her name from consideration for the now-empty Senate seat in New York.

Kennedy withdrew her bid due to the deteriorating health of her uncle Edward Kennedy, the senior senator from Massachusetts, according to TheNew York Times. Caroline Kennedy, the daughter of President John F. Kennedy, had never held public office but garnered the support of several prominent New Yorkers, including New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg.

Polls show that voters prefer New York attorney general Andrew Cuomo to fill the Senate seat. Paterson is also reportedly considering state representative Kirsten Gillibrand, who represents the Albany area. (Michelle Garcia, Advocate.com)