FishPoolDC: Our Insider's Notes from Today's Press Briefing

“Robert, You Got Shorter!”: Some oohs and aahs welcomed today’s surprise briefing room guest as Secretary Clinton joined the party to discuss this morning’s Af-Pak meetings. “I successfully avoided this room for eight years,” she smiled. The secretary hailed “very promising early signs” and reiterated support for the two leaders, noting that “democratically elected president of Pakistan” is not a common phrase. Clinton, who recently was critical of the Pakistan’s anti-Taleban efforts, now said she was “quite impressed” by the actions they’re taking and that she “won’t second-guess” the Pakistani government’s SWAT valley negotiations with the extremist group.