The Rumour Mill: Hillary as Secretary of State
November 13th, 2008 18:17

Via Reuters:

Sen. Hillary Clinton, who lost to Barack Obama in the Democratic presidential primary, is being considered to serve as secretary of state in the Obama administration, NBC News reported on Thursday.

The report cited two unnamed advisers to President-elect Obama. The report said Clinton’s office would only say that any decisions on the appointment would be up to the president-elect.

The former first lady, who was in a drawn-out battle for the Democratic presidential nomination, is in her second term as a senator from New York.

Several other names also have been mentioned for the top U.S. diplomatic post including Sen. John Kerry, the 2004 Democratic presidential nominee; Sam Nunn, a Democrat and former Senate Armed Services Committee chairman; Sen. Chuck Hagel, an outspoken Republican member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee; and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, who was U.N. ambassador in former President Bill Clinton’s administration and also sought the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination.

To begin with, I am not in favour of clearing out the Senate to fill President Obama’s Cabinet. Already, we are replacing two incumbent Senators including Senator Biden who has served in the Senate since 1973. That’s an impactful loss. Senator Obama, not so much. What has he accomplished in the Senate? It seems that he is destined for different things.

But as per Senator Clinton as President Obama’s Secretary of State, it makes little sense for Hillary to accept the post. Hillary remains a political force with her own objectives that I am not sure that she is ready to jettisoned for a title even if such allows for considerable input into US foreign policy. Hillary’s forte is more a domestic agenda, so why would she accept a post that constitutes a political exile? She has considerable legislative skills (that may actually be of use to a President Obama down the line) that would be wasted in Foggy Bottom. Let’s hope Senator Clinton remains in the Senate and not take the bait from President-elect Obama who in this seeks to marginalize her voice on domestic issues. I am dubious of this move. It seems like an early retirement ruse.

Let Kerry take the job. He’s useless in the Senate.

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Posted in Politics by Charles Lemos
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texan4hillary
November 13th, 2008 20:12

abc news martha radatz-under most serious consideration.
ABC News

politico-hillary may be top choice-
Politico

aplusplus
November 13th, 2008 20:21

I don’t see how this helps either. The role of secretary of state does nothing but become the mouthpiece of the administration on foreign affairs.

All this does is feed the press hunger to report in-administration tension.

Also Charles’s theory that it marginalizes his opponent’s voice is quite believable. Becoming his Sec. of State just puts her under his authority which I highly am opposed to. Hillary is very capable of attracting attention to her own legislative causes which is more effective for the Democratic Party. There are plenty of other capable people to fill this role.

He puts forth an olive branch. He seems to be a healer. She accepts it, she becomes just another cabinet member. She rejects it, she seems ungrateful. As you imply Charles, political posturing.

Charles Lemos
November 13th, 2008 20:46

Whatever one thinks of Hillary, she’s a player on the Hill. She would be wasted in Foggy Bottom. She’s still Hillary. How many politicians can be called by their first names? She’s a force and to take her out of the Senate is, in my view, an attempt to shunt her power and voice on domestic views. Frankly, I would love her to be the “conscience of the Senate.” That’s the role where she would serve best.

I must admit that I am a bit angered by what seems to be a ploy.

texan4hillary
November 14th, 2008 00:14

every paper in the world now has this story guys. obama camp doesnt leak unless intentional. like with summers. summers looks less likel as politico says bc now and other grps threaten hell if he noms summers. is obama leaking out hillary’s name to guage world reception? if obama once again is seen as passing over hillary how damaging will that be? something is going on. why was hillary in chicago? why are his aides telling the news obama is serious about this pick? msm will now go overload on hillary and the speculation.

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