Obama Weighs Clinton, Richardson For State

President-Elect Considering Former Democratic Primary Rivals For Secretary Of State

(CBS/AP)  President-elect Barack Obama has interviewed primary election rivals Hillary Rodham Clinton and Bill Richardson to be his secretary of state, Democrats said Friday, as he weighed the decision on folding former foes into his new administration.

Obama had secret meetings in Chicago with Richardson on Friday and a day earlier with Clinton, said several Democratic officials. He plans to meet there Monday with his Republican opponent, John McCain, but advisers to both of the general election rivals say they don't expect Obama to consider McCain for an administration job.

The meeting with Clinton, revealed to The Associated Press on Friday, excited a burst of speculation that Obama would transform the former first lady and his fierce campaign foe into one of his top Cabinet officials and the country's chief diplomatic voice. But where she stands in contention for the post came into question as other Democrats, also speaking on condition of anonymity about the private discussions, said Richardson was brought in as well.

One source told CBS News White House correspondent Bill Plante that perhaps this is just an honorable mention - a way of rewarding Sen. Clinton for her help during the campaign. But Clinton's visit to Chicago - on what her office will describe only as private business - signals that she may be under serious consideration.

The two are not the only candidates Obama has talked to about the job, Democrats said. One senior Obama adviser said the president-elect has given no evidence whom he is favoring for the post.

Obama asked Clinton directly whether she would be interested in the job, said one Democrat, who cautioned that it was no indication that he was leaning toward her.

Lanny Davis, a longtime friend of the Clintons who served as White House special counsel in Bill Clinton's administration, said on CBS' The Early Show Friday that Clinton would be an "outstanding" secretary of state.

"As first lady, she traveled the world, won friends in the third world, as well as among our allies in Europe, as an emissary to the president and as a close councilor to President Clinton," said Davis. "So she is a very special person because of her ability, as I said, to look at the world through other people's eyes, which is what we've lacked in the last eight years, and to reengage with Europe and our allies, as well as with hostile governments who need to be engaged and need to have relations open."

Obama was deciding on his presidential staff as well, naming longtime friend Valerie Jarrett as a White House senior adviser. Jarrett met Obama when she hired his wife for a job in the Chicago mayor's office years ago and has been a close confidante to the couple ever since.

Obama was silent and out of sight in Chicago. On Friday evening, he attended a birthday party for Jarrett at a high-rise building in the city. Clinton, a New York senator, addressed a transit conference in her home state and said emphatically, "I'm not going to speculate or address anything about the president-elect's incoming administration, and I'm going to respect his process."

Obama's aides say he would like to have McCain as a partner with him on legislation they both have advocated, such as climate change, government reform, immigration and a ban on torture.

All this fits with an idea that Obama often talked about on the campaign trail, as he praised the presidency of Abraham Lincoln as described by presidential historian Doris Kearns Goodwin in her book "Team of Rivals."

"Lincoln basically pulled in all the people who had been running against him into his Cabinet because whatever personal feelings there were, the issue was: How can we get this country through this time of crisis?" Obama said at one point.

Lincoln appointed three of his rivals for the Republican nomination to his Cabinet. Obama turned to one rival for vice president, picking Democratic primary candidate Joe Biden even though Biden had questioned whether Obama had the experience to be president.

In his first two weeks as president-elect, Obama has struck a bipartisan tone. He paired a Republican and a Democrat to meet with foreign leaders this weekend on his behalf in Washington, for example.

It's far from clear how interested Clinton would be in being his secretary of state. She'd face a Senate confirmation hearing that would certainly probe her husband's financial dealings - something the Clintons refused to disclose in the presidential campaign.

But remaining in the Senate may not be Clinton's first choice, either, since she is a junior senator without prospects for a leadership position or committee chairmanship anytime soon.

Being secretary of state could give Clinton a platform for another run at the presidency in eight years. Obama could also get assurances from her that she wouldn't challenge him in four years.

And, unlike the vice presidency that Obama never seriously considered her for, as secretary of state she would serve at his pleasure.

Richardson is the governor of New Mexico and has an extensive foreign policy resume. He was President Bill Clinton's ambassador to the United Nations and has conducted freelance diplomacy for the U.S. in such hot spots as Sudan and North Korea.

Richardson also served in Clinton's Cabinet as energy secretary and angered his former boss when he endorsed Obama after ending his own primary campaign this year.

Another Democrat emerged as a possible contender for an administration post Friday - Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle was contacted by Obama's transition team, according to a gubernatorial spokesman who did not disclose details. Doyle, a two-term governor and former state attorney general, was an early backer of Obama.

An alliance between Obama in the White House and McCain in the Senate could help both sides - Obama by having a Republican ally on some issues and McCain by helping rebuild his own power. The two men spoke about getting together when McCain called Obama to concede on the night of the election, advisers on both sides say.

Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, a McCain confidant, and Rep. Rahm Emanuel, the Illinois Democrat whom Obama has chosen to be his White House chief of staff, also plan to be at Monday's meeting in Chicago.

"It's well known that they share an important belief that Americans want and deserve a more effective and efficient government, and will discuss ways to work together to make that a reality," Obama spokesman Stephanie Cutter said in announcing the meeting.

Also Friday, officials in Nebraska announced that Obama has won an electoral vote there, making history in a state that has never split its electoral votes. Under the American system, voters cast ballots for small groups of electors from each state, who in turn vote for the president.

After all remaining ballots were counted Friday, Obama emerged with a 3,325-vote lead over Republican John McCain in unofficial results in the 2nd Congressional District, which includes the city of Omaha.

Nebraska, with five votes, and Maine are the only states that divide their electoral votes by congressional district.

Obama now has 365 electoral votes to McCain's 162.

Missouri, with 11 electoral votes, is still too close to call. Election officials there have until Tuesday to finish counting.

[jameshaun]

If Hillary goes to State, what will the flying monkeys do in her absense?

[prudentvoter]

Clinton as Secretary of State is a big mistake. This guy hasn''t even started and it is already time for a change. We need change we can depend on.

[babooph]

I thought Einstein ,like many Jewish background people of his day,was a socialist?

[metsobitso]

This is no change at all. This is just more Clinton administration in disguise. It looks like we got four years of sleaze and corruption ahead of us. I want my vote back.

[libra217]

Posted by seah5 at 12:35 PM : Nov 16, 2008

You are delusional. Your conspiracy theory is absolutely ridiculous. Please get help.

[seah5]

Hillary and Bill have been Threatened or have been given personal Brainwashing from the Obama team.

Seeing Mr Obama has appointed most of the Clinton team, I would think, Hillary would have been the Better Candidate from the beginning. since she or bill would not bow to the Government take over, She was made an example of and removed from the race.

She is a Major fool to take a position on Obama Cabinet. Knowing Obama knows nothing and He can never take responsibility for anything, He definitely will point fingers and Blame her for all that goes wrong. Which he certainly will do.

Everyone including Obama supports knows that. He is lining up scapegoats for that reason.

The DNC-Chicago Machines play book has been played out step by step to achieve their goal. Right now they are using a lame-duck president to blame everything on while they plot and ploy the down Fail of America with their playing havoc with the economy and the markets.

They will continue as long as the American People let them. They will continue to use the media, and have move to utube and email to continue working on the minds of Americans to keep them in control.

Your Duty as an American Citizen is to make sure the Constitution and the type of government we have Stay sound. Yes Democrat or Republican You have that duty to your Country. No matter what anyone tries to talk you into.

[wardoglrs]

Same Neo Cons same BS no change just hype and of course the voters bought it. The voters think there going to get free gas free houses free food free cars free cable free free free

[misswasilla]

''Hey Einstein, socialism is what leads to fascism, democrats lean towards socialism.''

(Posted by yurdumb)

-----

Who are you calling dumb, you intellectual pipsqueak?

READ A BOOK, lightweight. Start with an all-American dictionary like Webster''s or American Heritage. As you likely possess no such thing, here''s a couple of helpful definitions, quoted verbatim:

Fascism (fash''iz-em), n. A system of government that exercises a dictatorship of the extreme right, typically through the merging of state and business leadership, together with belligerent nationalism.

(For you English-challenged nitwits, belligerent is defined as militant and warmongering. Sound like anyone you voted for lately?)

To further aid you in discerning the difference between a fascist and a liberal Democrat:

Liberal (lib''er-al), n. one who is generous; one who favors greater freedom in political or religious matters; one free from prejudice or narrow thinking.

Or if you prefer the adjective:

Liberal (lib''er-al), adj. unselfish; fair; tolerant; unbiased; open-minded; favoring political and social reform. Antonyms: stingy; mean; bigoted; conservative.

Oh, and if you can''t find a dictionary anywhere in your house, try history, philosophy, SOMETHING. . . .


Tell us, is that name you''re posting under a cruel irony by design, or just another of your ''accidents''?

Try wrapping your head in a non-leak diaper, Zippy, and spare us your stains.

[annd2302]

metsobitso, do you really think all you said is true?

[cdfoxtrot5]

"But remaining in the Senate may not be Clinton''s first choice, either, since she is a junior senator without prospects for a leadership position or committee chairmanship anytime soon."

I don''t get it. Why is Senator Clinton not in line to head up a Senate committee, but Joe Looserman, who has done everything in his power to undermine democracy and undermine President-elect Obama, is chairman of an important committee???

[andor3]

more brilliance from Obama. Hillary would be a great choice on so many levels.

[allmymarbles]

Richardson is by far the better choice. Clinton is too confrontational, not the best quality for negotiation. Also there is the problem of Bill and his influence peddling.

[metsobitso]

Clinton as secretary of state would be a terrible setback to U.S. diplomacy and an insult to our standing in the world.

Bill and Hillary are known around the world for their underworld and shady dealing. The Clinton presidency had a history of the white water type real estate scams, firing staff and hiring family members for the travel office, mysterious deaths of key witnesses connected to their dealings, and well published dysfunctional family relationships. In the closing days of their white house they were selling pardons for profits.

Hillary Clinton makes Sarah Palin look like the princess Snow White.

After leaving office they have stashed millions in offshore Turks and Caicos bank accounts and continue with their shady dealing. The Clintons have alledged ties to Columbian drug cartels dating to their connection with Arkansas Mena Airport drug trafficing and lobbying for the Columbian government. As chairperson for the India Caucus, Hillary was intrumental in outsourcing millions in US jobs to India.

Hillary Clinton strrogly opposed Barack Obama%u2019s objection to the war in Iraq and suported and promoted our illegal invasion of a soverign state.

Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State, would be a complete contradition of all the values we voted for in the last election.

[deadmaverick]

Poor ignorant right-wingers..."commie! socialist! jew-hater!" your broken-record krap is old and stale...try to find some other nonsense to repeat non-stop!!!!!!

[xlib]

I understand registerd gun owners need not apply for a position in the chosen one''s cabinet. Does that go for his secret service and the citizens militia? You know, the militia that should be as well armed, as powerful and as well financed as our military. How neat would that be. We, the slumps would be unarmed but the chosen one''s own militia would be armed to the teeth. Look how well it worked in Germany.
As George Mason said "To disarm the people is the most effectual way to enslave them". That''s a direct quote. Don''t know who George Mason was, look it up.

[lookn2myeyes]

Posted by IwasHungry68 at 11:34 AM : Nov 15, 2008

Makes YOU a pinko commie supporting the biggest liar of the century. Is that simple enough for ya?


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by FromTexwLove at 01:09 PM
======================================================
I still recall how you happily reminded everyone who said several months ago that Obama was going to win,that the election was months away, and that not a single vote had been cast, and that polls aren''t believeable.....well who turned out to be wrong on that one, Rowdy?

[cbs4157]

PS - Prudent voter, you didn''t vote for "change", you voted to try to whitewash your mistakes from the past two elections (presidential and congressional) which bankrupted the country.

What you will end up with is "change" from the trillions that will need to be raised (taxes) to fix it.

[cbs4157]

Richardson has been the governor of New Mexico since 2002, and it is home to one of the most messed up infrastructures and out of control crime rates of any state in the union. Remember "COPS" - likley you saw them in Albuquerque.

Richardson publicly named Wen Ho Lee, an employee at the Los Alamos National Laboratory, as a suspect who might have given nuclear secrets to the Chinese government; Lee later was cleared of the charges and won a settlement against the federal government for the accusation. Richardson was also criticized by the Senate for his handling of the espionage inquiry, which involved missing hard drives with sensitive data, by not testifying in front of Congress sooner.

Richardson justified his response by saying that he was "waiting to uncover more information before speaking to Congress". Republican Senators called for Richardson''s resignation while both parties criticized his role in the incident.

It speaks volumes that Obama would even consider this goofball in the same league as Clinton.

[prudentvoter]

In the debates, Hillary Clinton didn''t even know who was the President of the Russia. She talked about landing in combat zones in Bosnia and working on the Northern Ireland peace accords, all lies. She is seen internationally as a fraud, and as a back woods lawyer who does deals, takes bribes and lies. They know her from the countless sleaze deals that came out of the Clinton white house. She would be an insult to the US as secretary of state.


The Secretary of State should be someone of impeccable integrity and decency. Someone who could command respect for their knowledge of geo politics and international relationships. Above all else, a person who is held in high esteem for their wise council and worldly wisdom.

The United States is trying to recover from the debacle of having the imbecile George Bush as head of state, a person who is universally despised around the world as an ogre. Now we are getting the Queen of Sleaze as secretary of state. Certainly Obama can do better.

I voted for change. If Hillary Clinton is secretary of state, I will vote for change again. Maybe McCain wasn''t so bad after all.

[talk2chief]

SO MUCH FOR CHANGE...