In New Role, Clinton's Former Experience Won't Help Much

Clinton's New Role

But as for Clinton's trips abroad, some of which she trumpeted during her run for president, and for which she was also attacked by her then-opponent and soon-to-be boss, experts said that experience would probably be of little use to the incoming secretary of state.

During the campaign, Clinton cited five specific trips she made as first lady that she said at the time proved she was "tested."

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By March, in the heat of the primary and soon after she ran the 3 a.m. television spot, Clinton claimed that she had assisted in bringing peace between Protestants and Catholics in Northern Ireland; helped to open Macedonia's borders to fleeing Kosovar refugees; visited a Bosnian war zone; delivered a speech on women's rights in China; and made public statements about the genocide in Rwanda.

Officials from Bill Clinton's administration, some of whom have been tapped to serve in the incoming Obama administration, were divided as to how much influence Hillary Clinton had as first lady.

Richard Holbrooke, a former assistant secretary of state and ambassador to the United Nations, who was on Obama's short list for the secretary of state job, said Clinton's "intense efforts" in Macedonia "contributed to saving many lives."

But Susan Rice, also an assistant secretary of state during the Clinton administration and nominated Monday to be ambassador to the U.N., said Clinton's role was more about "gentle prodding or constructive reinforcement."

Each of Clinton's claims came under careful scrutiny during the campaign, and each was found lacking.

It was revealed that despite Clinton's claim that she helped open Macedonia's borders to Kosovar refugees, she actually arrived in Macedonia one day after the borders had been opened.

John Hume and David Trimble, respectively Northern Ireland's chief Catholic and Protestant peace negotiators who had shared the Nobel Peace Prize, each remember Clinton's role differently.

In the spring, Hume said Clinton provided "decisive support" in negotiating peace. Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams agreed, telling the Irish Times that "Sen. Clinton played an important role in the peace process" and praised her as "extremely well informed on the issues."