IN CHARGE

Hillary: Bill's Not Secretary of State

Mistranslated question "touched a nerve" with Clinton.

Hillary Clinton seemed shocked and annoyed today when she thought a student at a Congolese university asked her what her husband thought about a financial issue. "You want me to tell you what my husband thinks?" she said, incredulous. "My husband is not secretary of State, I am," Clinton said curtly. "If you want my opinion, I will tell you my opinion. I am not going to be channeling my husband." The translator misspoke, the student had actually asked what President Barack Obama, not Bill Clinton, thought about a possible Chinese loan to the Congo. Assistant Secretary P.J. Crowley said the question "touched a nerve" because Clinton is trying to raise awareness about the plight of women in Africa on her trip. Though another nerve might also have been touched: Bill Clinton has been in the spotlight since flying into North Korea and securing the release of two detained journalists, stealing the limelight from his wife's trip to Africa. The Associated Press said Clinton was "obviously annoyed" by the question and the moderator "quickly moved on." Clinton spoke to the student after the meeting and they "reached an understanding," Crowley said.