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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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.
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Oh please help us, I don''t want to put up with her arrogance and dog face for 4 years.- Reply to this comment
- Obama will be the one in charge whoever he appoints to his cabinet. That is how he ran his campaign and that is how he will run his presidency.He needs folks with experience and who know how to get the job done. So far all of his choices have proven that. Give the guy a chance, look at the f@cking mess he is walking into courtesy of bush and his republican friends.
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- We didn''t want her to be active during her husbands presidency but she was, trying to take over health care in secret meetings.
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 ! - Reply to this comment
- There is just no getting rid of her. We didn''t want her to be active during her husbands presidency but she was, trying to take over health care in secret meetings. She lost the primary....voted down by her own party, and now she is going to be forced down our throats once again.
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. - Reply to this comment
- Let me see he is selecting Democrats because he is a Democrat and the neo cons are saying no fair.
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. - Reply to this comment
- Her post as Secretary of State could better be said "President of Foreign Policy".....That should cool the heals of the PUMA''s. Got a feeling that the Ahmablahblahblah''s over there are gonna fall for anything now. Haven''t seen any policy except the CFR''s triumph since WW2. I''ll be watching for news media to puff their image the next few years.
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- For this job: No experience. No knowledge. Too much Bill. No Hillary!
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- We need change and change we can depend on. I voted for change and was disappointed. I will vote for change again.
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Posted by BoandCo
Yes, I would encourage you NOT to vote for things YOU cant understand.... - Reply to this comment
- Obama appointments follow a clear pattern of blue states and no red states. Very few fresh faces, just old Clinton cronies in sheeps clothing and plenty of Clinton sleaze. However, during the campaign, rhetoric of change resonated with the American people. For decades the US administration has lacked a fresh approach and a non-partisan and bipartisan perspective. However the need for change has now been identified and is stronger than ever. We need change and change we can depend on. I voted for change and was disappointed. I will vote for change again.
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- Oh gee, was there ever any doubt. She''s been envious of Condoleezza Rice from day one.
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