"We stared at each other like two teenagers on an awkward first date."
That's how Hillary Clinton -- in her upcoming memoir -- describes a secret meeting between herself and President Obama that took place before the 2008 Democratic National Convention, at which Obama beat out Clinton for the Democratic Party's presidential nomination. It's one of several juicy tidbits first reported Thursday by CBS News, which got its proverbial hands on a copy of the former secretary of state's memoir "Hard Choices" five days ahead of the book's official release date. The quotes were later confirmed by NBC News.
Other standout nuggets include the former first lady's takes on conservative Condoleezza Rice, who preceded Clinton as secretary of state ("Her advice about what I should expect in my new role proved very helpful."), and tea party lightning rod Sarah Palin, whom Clinton refused to be pitted against as the 2008 vice presidential nominee, saying it didn't feel right "to attack Palin just for being a woman."
Earlier this week, images from the back cover of “Hard Choices” were revealed on Twitter, showing Clinton with world leaders, and in the White House's Situation Room during the raid on Osama bin Laden’s compound in Pakistan, which occurred in May of 2011, during Clinton's tenure as secretary of state.
The long-awaited memoir will detail accounts of the crises, choices and challenges Clinton faced during her four-year term as secretary of state, and how the experiences affected her future. The title and cover image were revealed earlier this year.
The book release comes amid speculation about Clinton's 2016 presidential ambitions.
Additional reporting by Michele Richinick.