Secretary of State Hillary Clinton?

[SmootSmack]

Hillary Clinton could be Sec. of State - Mike Allen - Politico.com

Several Obama transition advisers are strongly advocating Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) for secretary of state, a move that would create the ultimate “Team of Rivals” Cabinet, according to officials involved in the discussions.

President-elect Obama has narrowed the possibilities for secretary of state, and Clinton is among those being strongly considered, the officials said. Some even call her the favorite.

[firstdown]

Talk about Sarah will the Clinton's ever go away?

[MTK]

Could be worse.

[70Chip]

I'd be surprised if Hillary took it. Secretary of State is a largely ceremonial job thesed days. Presidents like to make foreign policy decisions in the White House rather than give them over to the huge, flaming leftocracy that is the Department of State. You let them make decisions and you end up like Jimmy Carter - blindsided by major events on a near daily basis.

This looks to me like an attempt to put Hillary on the spot with a job offer she doesn't want. When she turns it down she looks like she's holding a grudge and Obama doesn't have to be bothered by her at all.

[saden1]

Hillary Clinton as secretary of state? That's as bad of an idea as McCain as secretary of defense. The less of a national role these people have the better.

[JoeRedskin]

Originally Posted by 70Chip

I'd be surprised if Hillary took it. Secretary of State is a largely ceremonial job thesed days. Presidents like to make foreign policy decisions in the White House rather than give them over to the huge, flaming leftocracy that is the Department of State. You let them make decisions and you end up like Jimmy Carter - blindsided by major events on a near daily basis.

This looks to me like an attempt to put Hillary on the spot with a job offer she doesn't want. When she turns it down she looks like she's holding a grudge and Obama doesn't have to be bothered by her at all.

Interesting take. Very Lincolnesque (For those who are unaware, Lincoln was a brilliant politician and consistently outmanuevered his rivals in a similar manner). At the same time, this is a woman who loves power. She may be unable to resist.

My gut reaction was "Are you kidding? Hillary & diplomacy go together like oil and water." You want confrontational, unilateralist foreign policy she's your woman. I guess I just don't think it's in her make up to 1) Accept Obama's directives; and 2) To be an inclusive across the divide kind of negotiator.

[saden1]

I don't like that man. I must get to know him better.

-Abraham Lincoln

Presidential.

[Monkeydad]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

Could be worse.

No, not really...

[12thMan]

I think Hillary will make an excellent choice for Secratary of State. Looking at the menu of choices: Hillary Clinton, John Kerry, and Bill Richardson (both of whom practice snore politics), I'll take Clinton all day long. I also heard Tom Dashcle might be up for consideration as well, which wouldn't be a bad choice either. But Clinton is very comfortable and competent on the international stage, in my opinion.

Besides, whose a better politician than Hillary Clinton? Well, we could name a few but you get the point. Again, I think people are confusing the most likable candidate with the most capable candidate. I think it's time we have a cabinet that isn't clones of the Commander-In-Chief, but are capable of executing policy and ideas and, yes, changing the current tone of our politics.

I know the right are salivating at the prospect of Obama choosing Clinton for Secratary of State. Standing ready to blast him for choosing politics as usual over his mantra of "change". But how about we wait until kickoff, or half-time even to judge how this will all play itself out.

[firstdown]

12th Man's Quote:"But Clinton is very comfortable and competent on the international stage, in my opinion."

I'm not saying your wrong but what has she done for you to make this comment.

[SmootSmack]

I thought Daschle was being considered for Sec. of Health? I think both Clintons will be valuable advisors to Obama over the next four years, but I'm just not sure either is best served by serving in his administration. I can't imagine Hillary agreeing to work under Obama and particularly in a position that will probably be heavily influenced on a daily basis by Biden (considering his foreign relations committee experience). But if Clinton says no, then she could be seen as not a team player. This reminds me of when JFK approached LBJ to be his VP candidate.

I think Lugar would be a good choice for State.

It is interesting that Obama's transition team has a heavy dose of the Clinton White House and that as the campaign developed Obama moved a bit toward the center (the Clinton zone) with some of his stances on issues. Interesting, but not too suprising. I think the Democratic party (and perhaps many others) look back on the Clinton years as halcyon (sp?) days and they want to relive those. They basically wanted Clinton back in office, they just didn't want Hillary. So now Obama is basically the next Clinton, the next Bill Clinton. Which, while hardly a move toward "change", I think is probably the right move.

[firstdown]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

I thought Daschle was being considered for Sec. of Health? I think both Clintons will be valuable advisors to Obama over the next four years, but I'm just not sure either is best served by serving in his administration. I can't imagine Hillary agreeing to work under Obama and particularly in a position that will probably be heavily influenced on a daily basis by Biden (considering his foreign relations committee experience). But if Clinton says no, then she could be seen as not a team player. This reminds me of when JFK approached LBJ to be his VP candidate.

I think Lugar would be a good choice for State.

It is interesting that Obama's transition team has a heavy dose of the Clinton White House and that as the campaign developed Obama moved a bit toward the center (the Clinton zone) with some of his stances on issues. Interesting, but not too suprising. I think the Democratic party (and perhaps many others) look back on the Clinton years as halcyon (sp?) days and they want to relive those. They basically wanted Clinton back in office, they just didn't want Hillary. So now Obama is basically the next Clinton, the next Bill Clinton. Which, while hardly a move toward "change", I think is probably the right move.

I think your totally wrong and the Clinton's will not be of much any help. I think the only way Hillary would take the job is if she thinks it will help her politically. He could barely get Bill to campain for him when Hillary was out of the race. I also think Bill does not want Obama's legacy to out do his and we know Clinton has a big ego.

[hooskins]

Although Clinton may not be a figure that bodes well with all of the American public I don't see how she would be terrible for the sec of state.

[12thMan]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

I thought Daschle was being considered for Sec. of Health? I think both Clintons will be valuable advisors to Obama over the next four years, but I'm just not sure either is best served by serving in his administration. I can't imagine Hillary agreeing to work under Obama and particularly in a position that will probably be heavily influenced on a daily basis by Biden (considering his foreign relations committee experience). But if Clinton says no, then she could be seen as not a team player. This reminds me of when JFK approached LBJ to be his VP candidate.

I think Lugar would be a good choice for State.

It is interesting that Obama's transition team has a heavy dose of the Clinton White House and that as the campaign developed Obama moved a bit toward the center (the Clinton zone) with some of his stances on issues. Interesting, but not too suprising. I think the Democratic party (and perhaps many others) look back on the Clinton years as halcyon (sp?) days and they want to relive those. They basically wanted Clinton back in office, they just didn't want Hillary. So now Obama is basically the next Clinton, the next Bill Clinton. Which, while hardly a move toward "change", I think is probably the right move.

I agree with a lot of what you've said. Particularly the heavy dose of Clintononian presence in his Administration up to this point. It does make me cringe just a little. But while I expect Obama to move center, we are dealing with an entirely different host of issues as a nation that no President in recent history has ever faced. So some of Bill Clinton's approaches will work for Barack and some will require a lot of team work, and frankly, some imagination. We're in unchattered waters with all that's going on right now.

I like the Lugar choice, but I expect for him and Barack to work closely regardless of who he picks.

[12thMan]

Originally Posted by firstdown

I think your totally wrong and the Clinton's will not be of much any help. I think the only way Hillary would take the job is if she thinks it will help her politically. He could barely get Bill to campain for him when Hillary was out of the race. I also think Bill does not want Obama's legacy to out do his and we know Clinton has a big ego.

First, this is besides the point. Who cares if Bill didn't campaign for Barack in the beginning. I think this was something the media was more fascinated with than anyone else. Bottom line, when it counted Bill said and did what was required of him. I'd be a little ill, too, if my wife just got beat by some junior Senator with a funny name. But who in they're right mind doesn't think Hillary Clinton want's something out of this? She would be a fool not to. This woman was a whisker away from becoming the Dem nominee, perhaps President. Barack understands that. I'm sure both sides are looking at how this is polling as we type back and forth too. This leak was no accident.

We're talking about a women that garnered nearly 18 million votes during the primary, is still hugely popular within the party and you don't think she can help this Administration?

As to your earlier question about why I think she'd make a good State. I just think she understands the issues. Here and abroad. The combination of her White House years, being a member of the Senate, and campaigning for nearly two years have served her well.