Secretary of State Hillary Clinton? (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Hillary Clinton and Obama's cabinet
Here's some news that's bound to please Hillary fans, said Leo Standora in the New York Daily News. President-elect Barack Obama is considering naming Sen. Hillary Clinton as his secretary of state. Clinton flew to Chicago Thursday night on what advisers said was "personal business." The relationship between the former rivals has certainly improved since the primaries, but putting someone who voted to authorize the Iraq war in charge of foreign policy would certainly be an "about-face" for Obama.
The "primary battles" between Obama and Clinton shouldn't be an obstacle, said Marc Ambinder in The Atlantic online. As a member of the Senate Armed Services committee and a former first lady, Clinton "is on a first-name basis with world leaders and generals." That's why news of her Chicago trip "has already made worldwide headlines."
Hillary would still be an odd choice, said Allahpundit in Hot Air. John Kerry or Bill Richardson would do just as well. Besides, Obama already has veterans of Bill Clinton's administration on board as chief of staff (Rahm Emanuel) and head of his transition team (John Podesta). Why did Democrats "nominate Hopenchange" instead of Hillary "if we're only going to get Clinton retreads anyway?"
The real stumper is why Hillary would "give up what is in all likelihood a senate seat for life to run the State Department for Barack Obama," said Josh Marshall in Talking Points Memo. And it certainly won't make it any easier for Hillary to snatch the Democrats' 2012 presidential nomination from a sitting president. "I don't have an answer on why either party would want this appointment."
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Recent comments | 13 total
Answer to the stumper: Clinton (take your pick) is power-hungry. Obama - you gotta feed the machine.
It is very good news hungry but also obama his self..
Let's remember that the nation overwhelmingly approved our decision to address the problems with Iraq. Even if WMD wasn't mentioned and focused strictly on the regime's support of the terrorist machine, we probably would've supported a war. The reason why people have turned an about face is that the war appears to have gone on too long without focus. I am not a fan of Hillary or of President-elect Obama but Hillary shouldn't be criticized for her early support of the war. President Obama is considering Ms. Clinton to strengthen his power base and alleviate tensions between himself and supports (in Washington) of Hillary. It is a smart move but it doesnt mean she is qualified. President Obama should be very careful how he withdraws the troops in order not to destabilize the region. If you think it isn't stable now, wait until you see the impact of an improper troop withdrawal.
I consider these questions in a piece posted in two places: http://markdaniels.blogspot.com/2008/11/clinton-at-statedoes-it-make-sense.html http://themoderatevoice.com/politics/dick-lugar/24358/clinton-at-statedoes-it-make-sense/ Mark Daniels
Since this is all speculation anyway perhaps the Clinton leak is only to test the waters. Then what is the relationship between Clinton and Lieberman who is Chairman of the Foreign Relations committee. Perhaps as Secretary of State Clinton counters Lieberman's influence in this area. As an aside, It might be that Lieberman who changes his spots at the drop of a hat will be countered by the steadiness of Clinton at State. After all, if Lieberman doesn't know what he is how is anybody else supposed to know or trust him.
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