Hillary Clinton: Secretary of State

[Posting a link?]

Forum Guidelines
Posting a link? Read This!

Forgot your password? Need help?
Click Here To Contact Us

Mudflats Merchandise
AKMuckraker Amazon Store
Support AKM Merchandise

Download it here!

[Icy]

A lot of rumors and suggestions have been floated on what Hillary Clinton's role should be in the Obama Administration.   Supreme Court?  DNC Senate Chair?

Andrea Mitchell first reported the rumor of Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State on NBC yesterday, and it's now the big buzz.

Here's MSNBC's political team on the rumor:

The best reason for Obama to be looking for a place in his cabinet for Clinton is simple: to get her out of the Senate. Just ask George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and Jimmy Carter what it was like to have a once or future presidential rival in the Senate serving as a one-person Roman tribunal. Remember how easily the press gravitated to John McCain in '01 or Bob Kerrey in '93 or Ted Kennedy in '77 to allow them to be one-senator judge/juries on Administration proposals? The upside for Obama putting Clinton at State (or even the Pentagon) is that it gets her out of the Senate and gets her out of the domestic policy debates. Also, one other thing to keep in mind if Clinton does end up at State, she'll be off the political circuit; it’s considered unseemly to practice politics while serving in one of the big cabinet posts, especially at State or Defense.

I personally like Clinton more than Kerry (the previous rumor) for the Secretary of State role.

[ds55]

I hope not.  Hillary can see Bosnia sniper fire from her house.  No, wait...

[Lucy]

  Hillary works for me - although on a personal note, I really like Bill Richardson and would like to see him getting something really good out of this.  Doesn't have to be Secretary of State.
  What else could HIllary do?  I don't see her as a Supreme Court Justice - her love is policy, not law (she's good at law, I think she'd be an excellent Supreme Court Justice, but it's a tool for her, not her love - now I'd love to see BClinton on the Supreme Court.  He'd be good at it, and I'd then love to be a fly on the wall during deliberations - but it's not going to happen.)
  Maybe head of HHS (Health and Human Services - is that the name of the post?  not sure it's big enough for her. But it is part of her passion - health care - and then Ted could lead in the Senate. Hmmmm)
  Will be interesting.


P.s.  Why do you think this got leaded?  accident?  trial balloon?  sabotage? other?

[Icy]

Heh....Politico reports on a "secret" meeting Clinton held with Obama in Chicago yesterday, Thursday.

Hillary's mentioned that she'd like a more global role...so Secretary of State might be right for her.

We'll soon see.

[Icy]

Al Giordano of "The Field" doesn't buy the Clinton rumor and in fact, thinks that the "noise" is being created by Hillary's backers for one reason.....to ensure that neither Richardson nor Kerry will get the Secretary of State post.

Take a look at his reasoning and back-up.

[Steve]

Bad idea. Obama is committed to a peace deal in Israel/Palestine, while Clinton supports the Israeli Right, which wants no deal with the Palestinians and an attack on Iran besides. She's an unrepentant hawk on Iraq. Which is to say, Hillary is the candidate of permanent Middle East war.

And that's leaving out Bill's business dealings with authoritarian Middle Eastern and Central Asian governments.

[Alex]

Nico Pitney of the Huffington Post is reporting that Obama offered Hillary Secretary of State on Thursday, story is here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/11/14/clinton-met-with-obama-ab_n_143810.html

[Lucy]

  I jsut saw a clip of HRC on TV, saying that any comments about the discussion with BO should come from BO and his advisors, not her.  WHat I noticed was a HUGE smile on her face.
  I think she was offered, and I think she's going to accept.
  Not sure that's worth much.

[Icy]

ABC is now reporting that:

A source with knowledge of the transition process describes the meeting as not a hard offer. Obama is more cautious than that.

He is doing this more elegantly, but a source said Obama took a big step toward Hillary. They had a long private meeting in which they talked about their philosophies and what had transpired during the campaign.

He was extremely respectful, saying she was great, and giving her a huge amount of support. He said that he knew how much she cared about health care but said there are other challenges, and wanted to reach out to her about secretary of state.

They were both cautious but again took a big step toward her. She reciprocated.

Obama does not want to be seen as being rejected by her, but it is “hers to turn down,” one source put it.

They have an agreement to have another meeting or phone conversation about this very soon.

I agree with Deb and Steve that Hillary's not the best person for the job.  Her experience with Foreign Affairs hangs on her travels as First Lady....who can forget Bosnia?

Richardson, who also met with Obama in Chicago and is also rumored to have been considering the SoS position, has UN and White House experience.

Well, as I said earlier...we'll soon see.

[mimi]

I am quite frankly becoming concerned with Obama'w choices for advisors and now for his choices for leadership positions.  I don't see much of a break from what has gone wrong with this country up to now. 
Obama was elected with a clear message that we need to have massive change in our country in all areas and some sweeping new directions which will require new minds and outlooks.  There are literally hordes of educated thinkers out there who could offer critical insights and blue prints for this change that we so desperately need.  I would like to see Obama reach out to new thoughts.

Yes, Bill Richardson would bring a breath of fresh air to the White House!  We don't need the same old worn out approaches.  GO BOLD, MAN!!

[peter d]

I voted for Obama, and I will support what ever discussion he makes on this. If his discussions began to become habitual mistakes, then I will become a habitual bitcher. But for now, I think  he should have a green light.

[Lani]

As much as I admire Bill Richardson, I dunno about calling him a breath of fresh air to the White House.  He has been in the DC circuit for a long, long time.  Among other positions, going back to the Nixon era, he has served as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, U.S. Representative, and U.S. Secretary of Energy.  He also chaired 2004 Democratic National Convention and the Democratic Governors Association in 2005 & 2006. 

[Lucy]

I am quite frankly becoming concerned with Obama'w choices for advisors and now for his choices for leadership positions.  I don't see much of a break from what has gone wrong with this country up to now. 

  I recently read A Woman in Charge, largely about Hillary Clinton, but a large dose of the Clinton presidency.  One of the BIG mistakes they made initially was they brought in their own people - with little Washington experience.  They didn't know how things worked.  THey couldn't get things done.  It didn't just hamper their work, it made their work (much) harder to accomplish. 
  I think Obama is wise to go with people with D.C. experience.  He can never bring about change if he doesn't use people who know how to get things done. 

[Steve]

NY Times
Nov. 15
Team of Frenemies
By Maureen Dowd
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/16/opinion/16dowd.html?hp

It’s a cool idea, Hillary Clinton as secretary of state.

At long last, the feminist icon would represent the feminist ideal of getting a room of her own, all on her own.

Running for the Senate and the presidency, Hillary felt entitled to get money, endorsements and support because she was the wife of Bill Clinton — and at times the victim of Bill Clinton.

If she became secretary of state, she would be getting the job despite her husband — and because of her own transformation in the primaries from a legacy applicant to a scrappy one.

After balking during his wife’s campaign at releasing records of his business dealings and big donors to his presidential library, Bill would have to stop spewing about Barack and start spilling to him.

[Jaime from Wasilla]

How did the sayinggo? "Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer."    I kind of like the idea of Hillary as Secretary of State, but then, I like the idea of her as President, and I like the idea of her on the Supreme Court.  I like Hillary, any way she serves.  I always have- even though I have been a solid Obama supporter for over two years.  Any way he can bring her/keep her  solidly on board is good for the country.

[WV Democrat]

I love the idea of HRC for Secretary of State! Not ashamed to admit I'm a Clinton Democrat. I took up the BO banner when HRC told me to. Nothing wrong with that.

[Icy]

According to the British Guardian blog, Hillary has accepted the SoS offer from the new Administration.

Josh Marshall of TPM says....not so fast!  Where's the proof?

[Rubo]

Hillary would do a fine job as SOS.  I wouldn't mind seeing her as AG though ... she's a tough cookie!

[Icy]

What's the delay?  Marc Ambinder says that most of Hillary's closest advisors (including Bill) are out of town, so the wait is a necessary one, not Clinton gamesmanship from either side.

But Politico reports that Bill might be the problem here (again!):

Obama isn’t likely to formally offer the post to Clinton unless he’s given assurances that Bill Clinton’s global charitable foundation won’t create future conflicts of interest with foreign governments, according to a person familiar with the situation.

 The Clinton Global Initiative has earned widespread plaudits for its efforts to eradicate AIDS, malaria and poverty in Africa.

 But it could prove problematic for Obama if the former president continues to arrange donations from foreign countries at the same time that his wife, as secretary of state, is asking them for diplomatic concessions. The Clinton Global Initiative, which has raised more than $30 billion since 2005, has matched several foreign governments with projects, including a $1 billion pledge from Norway in 2007.

 Obama’s vetting team expressed similar worries about Bill Clinton’s overseas fundraising when Hillary Clinton was briefly considered for the vice-presidency, former Clinton aides say.”

[Eyes Wide Open In Pgh, PA]

What's the delay?  Marc Ambinder says that most of Hillary's closest advisors (including Bill) are out of town, so the wait is a necessary one, not Clinton gamesmanship from either side.

But Politico reports that Bill might be the problem here (again!):

Obama isn’t likely to formally offer the post to Clinton unless he’s given assurances that Bill Clinton’s global charitable foundation won’t create future conflicts of interest with foreign governments, according to a person familiar with the situation.

 The Clinton Global Initiative has earned widespread plaudits for its efforts to eradicate AIDS, malaria and poverty in Africa.

 But it could prove problematic for Obama if the former president continues to arrange donations from foreign countries at the same time that his wife, as secretary of state, is asking them for diplomatic concessions. The Clinton Global Initiative, which has raised more than $30 billion since 2005, has matched several foreign governments with projects, including a $1 billion pledge from Norway in 2007.

 Obama’s vetting team expressed similar worries about Bill Clinton’s overseas fundraising when Hillary Clinton was briefly considered for the vice-presidency, former Clinton aides say.”

How could he possibly raise 30 billion dollars in just three years? Especially since the opinion of the US has been suffering so.