CNN - Hillary Clinton - Secretary of State?

[Anonymous]

a fabulous choice!

[Anonymous]

Can you imagine being a fly on the wall during that conversation?

[Anonymous]

She met with Obama yesterday. But. . . . Conventional wisdom is that (1) she doesn't want it and (2) Biden wouldn't like it.

I'm sure it would be difficult if not impossible for her to turn it down. But there are so many reasons for her to not take that job. She would be an exceptionally good choice, but she would be giving up so much. And will Bill's financial dealings pass muster during the confirmation process? Probably, given the Democratic majority in the Senate and the number of Senate Republicans who really like and respect HRC. But I still can't imagine she would really want the job.

[Anonymous]

I say put her on the Supreme Court -- she is an attorney and there may be three vacancies this term. Hard to see the Senate not confirming one of their own.

[Anonymous]

But I was under the impression that she was making or in a position to eventually make a real contribution in the Senate. Y'all don't think she could do the country a lot of good there? Or would it be better to have her in an executive or judicial position?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I say put her on the Supreme Court -- she is an attorney and there may be three vacancies this term. Hard to see the Senate not confirming one of their own.

She's too old. That was the Ginsberg mistake. You want someone who will last for a long time there. I am happy that Ginsberg, Souter, Stevens, and Breyer have made it, but that was close.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:But I was under the impression that she was making or in a position to eventually make a real contribution in the Senate. Y'all don't think she could do the country a lot of good there? Or would it be better to have her in an executive or judicial position?

15:50 here. She's said she doesn't want a seat on the Supreme Court. And I agree with a PP that, at 60, she's older than the judges Obama will aim for. Plus, though I'm a major Hillary fan, I don't think she's particularly qualified to serve on the Court.

I love Hillary. I think she'd do a terrific job in any post. She's a very good, very effective Senator and a brilliant woman. She's widely respected and admired around the world. Many observers say her international connections are better than Obama's or McCain's. For Obama, this would be a brilliant appointment. It brings her completely onto the team, uses her many strengths, allows him to focus fully on his domestic agenda, and even gets her off the fundraising and campaigning circuit for other candidates. While that's not good for the Democrats, it's good for Obama in terms of neutralizing HRC. But for her, what's the payoff? She gives up her Senate seat forever, gives up her power base, gives up her voice on domestic policy. Bill could be tricky. I still think Biden won't like it and John Kerry will be pissed. Bill Richardson wants to be Secretary of State, but I think Obama has offered the job to Hillary. Several sources are reporting that he definitely made the offer. Here's part of CNN's story:

Democratic sources tell CNN that President-elect Barack Obama and Sen. Hillary Clinton had a "serious discussion" Thursday to gauge Clinton's interest in the post of secretary of state, if she were offered it.

Sen. Hillary Clinton has been mentioned as a candidate for Obama's secretary of state, sources say.

Clinton's response is unknown, although multiple sources agree that she was left with the impression that if she were interested in the post, it would be hers.

"There was a serious discussion to determine whether, if offered secretary of state, she would accept it," said a source close to the Obama transition team.

In these circumstances, that source added, a president-elect does not meet with potential Cabinet secretaries unless he is serious about making an offer.

Another source close to the Obama transition team said that asking Clinton to be secretary of state "has been of great interest to Obama for a while. You've got to assume that Hillary Clinton did not come to visit the city of Chicago."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:But I was under the impression that she was making or in a position to eventually make a real contribution in the Senate. Y'all don't think she could do the country a lot of good there? Or would it be better to have her in an executive or judicial position?

15:50 here. She's said she doesn't want a seat on the Supreme Court. And I agree with a PP that, at 60, she's older than the judges Obama will aim for. Plus, though I'm a major Hillary fan, I don't think she's particularly qualified to serve on the Court.

I love Hillary. I think she'd do a terrific job in any post. She's a very good, very effective Senator and a brilliant woman. She's widely respected and admired around the world. Many observers say her international connections are better than Obama's or McCain's. For Obama, this would be a brilliant appointment. It brings her completely onto the team, uses her many strengths, allows him to focus fully on his domestic agenda, and even gets her off the fundraising and campaigning circuit for other candidates. While that's not good for the Democrats, it's good for Obama in terms of neutralizing HRC. But for her, what's the payoff? She gives up her Senate seat forever, gives up her power base, gives up her voice on domestic policy. Bill could be tricky. I still think Biden won't like it and John Kerry will be pissed. Bill Richardson wants to be Secretary of State, but I think Obama has offered the job to Hillary. Several sources are reporting that he definitely made the offer. Here's part of CNN's story:

Democratic sources tell CNN that President-elect Barack Obama and Sen. Hillary Clinton had a "serious discussion" Thursday to gauge Clinton's interest in the post of secretary of state, if she were offered it.

Sen. Hillary Clinton has been mentioned as a candidate for Obama's secretary of state, sources say.

Clinton's response is unknown, although multiple sources agree that she was left with the impression that if she were interested in the post, it would be hers.

"There was a serious discussion to determine whether, if offered secretary of state, she would accept it," said a source close to the Obama transition team.

In these circumstances, that source added, a president-elect does not meet with potential Cabinet secretaries unless he is serious about making an offer.

Another source close to the Obama transition team said that asking Clinton to be secretary of state "has been of great interest to Obama for a while. You've got to assume that Hillary Clinton did not come to visit the city of Chicago."

excellent points . . . I hope she takes it and runs with it!

[Anonymous]

HRC has been an advocate for women's rights around the world. This would be huge for international feminists.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:But I was under the impression that she was making or in a position to eventually make a real contribution in the Senate. Y'all don't think she could do the country a lot of good there? Or would it be better to have her in an executive or judicial position?

15:50 here. She's said she doesn't want a seat on the Supreme Court. And I agree with a PP that, at 60, she's older than the judges Obama will aim for. Plus, though I'm a major Hillary fan, I don't think she's particularly qualified to serve on the Court.

I love Hillary. I think she'd do a terrific job in any post. She's a very good, very effective Senator and a brilliant woman. She's widely respected and admired around the world. Many observers say her international connections are better than Obama's or McCain's. For Obama, this would be a brilliant appointment. It brings her completely onto the team, uses her many strengths, allows him to focus fully on his domestic agenda, and even gets her off the fundraising and campaigning circuit for other candidates. While that's not good for the Democrats, it's good for Obama in terms of neutralizing HRC. But for her, what's the payoff? She gives up her Senate seat forever, gives up her power base, gives up her voice on domestic policy. Bill could be tricky. I still think Biden won't like it and John Kerry will be pissed. Bill Richardson wants to be Secretary of State, but I think Obama has offered the job to Hillary. Several sources are reporting that he definitely made the offer. Here's part of CNN's story:

Democratic sources tell CNN that President-elect Barack Obama and Sen. Hillary Clinton had a "serious discussion" Thursday to gauge Clinton's interest in the post of secretary of state, if she were offered it.

Sen. Hillary Clinton has been mentioned as a candidate for Obama's secretary of state, sources say.

Clinton's response is unknown, although multiple sources agree that she was left with the impression that if she were interested in the post, it would be hers.

"There was a serious discussion to determine whether, if offered secretary of state, she would accept it," said a source close to the Obama transition team.

In these circumstances, that source added, a president-elect does not meet with potential Cabinet secretaries unless he is serious about making an offer.

Another source close to the Obama transition team said that asking Clinton to be secretary of state "has been of great interest to Obama for a while. You've got to assume that Hillary Clinton did not come to visit the city of Chicago."

There is no "qualification" to sit on the Supreme Court, not even law school. After the Palin thing, anyone is qualified. She is a bit old though.

[Anonymous]

There may be no formal "qualifications" but I think HRC would prefer to serve in a position that would allow her to make the most significant contributions. She has said more than once that she does not think the court is that place. When I say she's "not qualified" I'm speaking more to that.

[Anonymous]

I also think she would be a great choice, but the vetting process will be a roadblock - have you seen the questionaire that "job applicants" are asked to complete.

[Anonymous]

HRC might do best to stay off the administration in case there's some type of admin train wreck (you never know) and Palin will need a smackdown in '12. She is enough of her own star IMHO although I am diehard Obama supporter.

Secretary of State? After Condi, my 20 something babysitter could bring more credibility to the office. Women are not new to State. And frankly, the whole Bosnia, Northern Ireland primary debacle makes me nervous that she's still kinda riding Bill's coattails. And she doesn't need to.

Richardson has the best resume for State and putting a qualified (arguably most of the bunch) Latino in the post would be truly historic and further strengthen the message that America can draw strength from diversity. If we truly want a government reflective of "the people", why not someone from the fastest growing part of the population who speaks the 3rd most widely spoken language on the planet!?!

Iran and N Korea are not immediate as the "we can cut off your oil supply tomorrow" type challenges south of the border. Personally, I'd rather have someone who knows something about the southern and northern hemisphere.

[Anonymous]

I'm pretty sure Richardson would have some vetting problems too. There are plenty of unexplored rumors about his personal life available elsewhere in the web.

[Anonymous]

If Hillary took it, where would it leave her? It seems like it would be a bit of a dead end.