Clinton To Accept Secretary Of State Job
Adviser To N.Y. Senator Tells CBS News She Will Accept Offer To Join Former Rival's Cabinet
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Play CBS Video Video Hillary Will Get SOS Nom Soon CBS News has learned that President-elect Barack Obama will nominate Clinton to be his Secretary of State right after Thanksgiving, reports Bill Plante.
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Video Rumors Fly Over Clinton Rumors that Hillary Clinton does not want to take the top post of secretary of state in Barack Obama's administration are false, says correspondent Chip Reid.
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Video Hillary's Dilemma Chris Wragge speaks to President Bill Clinton's former press secretary Joe Lockhart about Sen. Hillary Clinton's chances for Secretary of State.
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Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton step off his campaign plane in Florida last month. (AP)
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In this Friday, Nov. 14, 2008 file photo, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., speaks at a New York Public Transit Association conference in Albany. (AP)
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Photo Essay United Front Rivals turned allies Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton make show of unity ... in Unity.
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Photo Essay Hillary Clinton A look at a life and career full of firsts.
The adviser told CBS News that Obama formally told Clinton earlier in the week the job was hers if she wanted it.
However, a Clinton spokesman on the record said reports that this is a done deal are "premature."
"We're still in discussions, which are very much on track. Any reports beyond that are premature," said Philippe Reines, a senior adviser to the New York senator.
Earlier, it was reported that Mr. Obama was on track to make the nomination official after Thanksgiving, barring any unforeseen problems, according to an aide to the transition.
"In many ways this pairing would seem the most unlikely of the new administration, especially given the often bitter primary battle between the two," said CBSNews.com senior political editor Vaughn Ververs. "But the President-elect has emphasized his desire to bring former opponents into his administration and there’s not a better example of this 'team of rivals' approach than this. Whether it works out in the long run is the $64,000 question."
The transition aide told The Associated Press that the two camps have worked out financial disclosure issues involving Clinton's husband, former President Bill Clinton, and the complicated international funding of his foundation that operates in 27 countries. The aide said Mr. Obama and Hillary Clinton have had substantive conversations about the secretary of state job.
Clinton is reported to have been mulling the post for several days, but the transition aide's comments suggested that Mr. Obama's team does not feel she is inclined to turn it down.
Some Democrats and government insiders have questioned whether Clinton is too independent and politically ambitious to be an effective secretary of state. But Mr. Obama is said to admire her talents and experience, as do many other Democrats.
A senior adviser to Mr. Obama said the president-elect believes Clinton would bring instant stature and credibility to U.S. diplomatic relations and that the advantages to her serving far outweighed potential downsides.
Meanwhile, some of Mr. Obama's economic team began to take shape on Friday. A senior Democratic official told the Associated Press that Mr. Obama is likely to name Timothy Geithner, president of the New York Federal Reserve, as Treasury Secretary.
Also, CBS News has confirmed that New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson is a serious contender to be tapped for Commerce Secretary. (
It was not clear when Mr. Obama intended to make a formal announcement of any of his picks. He has largely stayed out of public view since his election on Nov. 4, preferring to work quietly in a suite of offices in downtown Chicago.
©MMVIII, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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See all 145 CommentsOh please help us, I don''t want to put up with her arrogance and dog face for 4 years.
Posted by armandbeni at 09:42 PM : Nov 23, 2008
You should remember that you are only expressing YOUR opinion here. You shouldn''t pretend to speak for others.
By the way, she didn''t "try to take over health care". She was assigned that job by the President and hundreds of people worked with her on it.
Eighteen MILLION enthusiastic supporters voted for her in the primaries. They should not be summarily dismissed. Evidently, President-elect Obama feels she will be an excellent SOS. So do I !
The country would be better served if we hired people for their qualifications. This isn''t change, they are the same old political hacks playing their same old political game! The same old faces, owned by the same special interest groups.
Hey neo cons he does have some others working with him like McCain remember not in his administration because he would take it. But it is not over yet and knowing Obama he will do a great job.
By the way the Clinton administation was successful but as I recall well no we are still living it the Bush administration is a failure.
So please take a seat and wait until after he is President.
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Posted by BoandCo
Yes, I would encourage you NOT to vote for things YOU cant understand....
Posted by Rowdydfw
You know you''re staying in a texas motel, when you call up the front desk to say you gotta leak in the sink, and the guy says, "Go ahead."
Posted by cattieJ at 09:40 PM : Nov 21, 2008
So you are surprised he is appointing Democrats ? He is a Democrat. Aside from Clinton, when was the last time we had a Dem. administration ? A long time ago. If he wants to appoint people who are Dems and are knowledgable about government, it stands to reason that they were active in government during the Clinton administration. Where else would you find them ?
To change a thing, one must be fully immeresed in it, know it, AND be thorough in thinking from afar as well. A combination of ideas is a key in staffing the Presidency. Check the most successful Presidents. Start with Lincoln. HIS cabinet was full of vpponents"and he listened to them often.
If a person has worked in Washington DC they cannot be for "change?" So, it takes a name I have not heard of, or a person from anywhere but Washington DC OR a state Capitol OR a Courthouse in the County seat to be a "change" person? A person with experience, just can''''t be an agent of "change!"
THAT thinking,,, that "ALL new" is required. That doesn''t fit anywhere but on tv promo''s.
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