Nov. 21, 2008
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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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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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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Hillary Clinton
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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 CommentsGood Job, BO!
You would think Hillary and Obama were married, since she will control her "husband" like she controlled her husband.
I''m gonna go out on a limb and guess Obama is not going to offer paylin anything.
Hillary: "Well, ok, if it really means that much to you...I don''t really want it, but I hate to deprive you and the American people of my vast experience managing international affairs. Just don''t expect me to dodge any more sniper fire."
YUCK!
Now if only the Dems in Congress would get their act together and develop a backbone and live up to their promises. I''ll believe when I see it.
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Ya never know. He offered Hillery Sec of State. It seems it is not that hard to get a job in his admin.
Bill Clinton has access to interns again with a big ol'' box of Havanas for them!
The White House stud is back in action!!
God I hope he can do better than Lewinski this time.
Go Bill..Go Bill..Go Bill!!!
Posted by aceshigh333 at 04:48 PM : Nov 21, 2008
Yes it will,........we''ve never had three Presidents walking around in the White House at one time before.
I can see them all fighting now to see who answers that "call at 3:00 AM".
She has ZERO international experience, unless you count teas with the wives of the IRA leaders. She has no record of success in any international effort and if you could name me ONE thing she has done I would love to hear it.
Keep in mind she has been photographed kissing the wife of an terrorist - not much of a track record.
If you look at it solely as an internal gesture then it might make sense but not enough.
But for Hillary it makes no sense. Unless she has abandoned all hope of a presidential run (which I can only guess she has) this move puts a nail in that coffin. To my knowledge once a cabinet member that is as high in governmet as you will go. Had she retained her senates seat she could feasibly run in 2012 or 2016 (age permitting)
She has ZERO international experience, unless you count teas with the wives of the IRA leaders. She has no record of success in any international effort and if you could name me ONE thing she has done I would love to hear it.
Keep in mind she has been photographed kissing the wife of an terrorist - not much of a track record.
If you look at it solely as an internal gesture then it might make sense but not enough.
But for Hillary it makes no sense. Unless she has abandoned all hope of a presidential run (which I can only guess she has) this move puts a nail in that coffin. To my knowledge once a cabinet member that is as high in governmet as you will go. Had she retained her senates seat she could feasibly run in 2012 or 2016 (age permitting)
Posted by jimmyc1955 at 05:03 PM : Nov 21, 2008
And Rice''s experience!!!
Rice had lots of textbook "experience"...
Hope for "Change" is fading faster than the impending Inauguration.
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Posted by CBSisPravda at 04:51 PM : Nov 21, 2008
Disaster? Look around, it''s here now all the doing of a repudiated Republican party.
Clinton was the wife of a president with no duties, no study, no contacts, no track record and no actual work in the field.
She is well known to be unable to manage conflict within an organization - her campaign was a day care center of whinners and backstabbing. How in the name of the lord is she going to run the State Department? No administrative experience, no foriegn service experience and the always hovering shadow of Bill around her neck like a load stone - always ready to pop off and make things difficult like he did during her campaign.
You are far more optimistic with no reason that I think is comfortable. If you deleter he name and look only at her resume tell me what makes you think she can do this job?
Why would you post something that stupid?
A U.S. Senator.
I feel for you having her as senator for all those years. Hope New York gets someone decent this time. I''ll keep my fingers crossed!
She should have walked away with the nomination and she got blown out. Obama didn''t so much win it as Hillary lost it, over and over. How many campaign managers, still $22 Million in the hole. Mixed messages, confusion and lacking in vision.
So - tell me what you think makes her qualified. And don''t tell me about any previous administration. You said she was competent - how?
You could always poke out your eyes so you wouldn''t have to worry about seeing her face.
Posted by jgunther7
Did you support Palin as VP?
Still wouldn''t make her any better or able to do the job.
Posted by jimmyc1955
The Palin comment or the cadaver comment?
If it''s the Palin comment, jgunther7 said Hillary will be an insult to the US as secretary of state. I always thought Palin would be an insult to the US if she were VP. I was curious if he supported Palin but not Hillary and was going to probe for reasons.
Somebody who could take a foriegn policy position by Obama and translate that into the interests of the parties in Iraq.
Hillary has none of those skills - zero.
(1) He wanted the job and would have said yes right away, (2) He knows many of the world players and have negotiated for a host of Presidents when things got tight, (3) He is a team player, (4)The Clintons will remain a source of gist for the tabloids and for neocoms like Rush and Hannity. Eventually, Obama will see his mistake and in some face saving way have to fire Hilliary.
Fair answer. How do you feel about Condi''s work and did she have any of those skills going in?
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