Report: Hillary To Accept Secretary Of State Gig
Hillary will accept the job, reports The New York Times:
Hillary Rodham Clinton has decided to give up her Senate seat and accept the position of secretary of state, making her the public face around the world for the administration of the man who beat her for the Democratic presidential nomination, two confidants said Friday.Mrs. Clinton came to her decision after additional discussion with President-elect Barack Obama about the nature of her role and his plans for foreign policy, said one of the confidants, who insisted on anonymity to discuss the situation. Mr. Obama's office told reporters Thursday that the nomination is "on track" but this is the first word from the Clinton camp that she has decided...
A second Clinton associate confirmed that her camp believes they have a done deal. Senior Obama advisers said Friday morning that the offer had not been formally accepted and no announcement will be made until after Thanksgiving. But they said they were convinced that the nascent alliance was now ready to be sealed.
More soon.
Our long national nightmare is almost over.
November 21, 2008 2:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
Lets hope this doens't trun into "As the Clinton World Turns." :)
November 21, 2008 2:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
It already did.
November 21, 2008 3:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
President Obama will now be a side bar to the Hillary and Bill news of the day.
November 21, 2008 3:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hardly. If it does, Clinton will be marginalized and/or out of a job. Both will minimize any importance and clout she might wish to achieve with the role and put her at a disadvantage for any attempt at a future run, as she'll be perceived as not a team player.
November 22, 2008 2:40 AM | Reply | Permalink
Hillary 4U&ME!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FvyGydc8no
November 21, 2008 3:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
What in the name of all that is holy is that I just watched?
November 21, 2008 3:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
That was a campaign produced youtube from the primary season. They actually thought it was "cool" and it was designed to compete with the obama youtubes. Is that hilarious or what? Too funny.
November 21, 2008 3:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
I felt embarrassed watching it, hoping nobody walked into my office. I felt dirty like I was watching porn or some weird kind of feeling....I can't quite explain.
November 21, 2008 3:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
I had a weird feeling the first time I watched it as well. Too funny. I still can't believe that it was produced by the campaign. They actually spent money making that thing! Is that hilarious or what?
November 21, 2008 3:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
LOL....Scarred.
November 21, 2008 3:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
Congratulation SoS Elect Clinton.
I'm glad all the speculation has ended.
November 21, 2008 2:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
At least we can end this merry-go-round of speculation, and start hand wringing in earnest.
November 21, 2008 2:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
What will Hillary's first move be?
Can she go toe to toe with Putin?
I can't believe that she wore a blue pant suit when Sarkozy has acknowledged that blue makes him go crazy.
Will her will supersede Obama's?
Bill, as SOS first dude, will ride in the plane for free?
What a world what a world......
November 21, 2008 2:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Can she go toe to toe with Putin?"
I don't know, but I'm pretty sure she can go shot for shot with him.
November 21, 2008 2:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
Meh, whatever. I feel bad for Richardson though- I guess what goes around, comes around.
November 21, 2008 2:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think he is being considered for Commerce.
November 21, 2008 2:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
Greg mentioned this earlier. Links?
November 21, 2008 2:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
Here's one:
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/2008/11/richardson_to_commerce.html?nav=rss_blog
November 21, 2008 3:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
thx
November 21, 2008 3:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
Richardson was asked to give a list of the top four Obama Administration spots he's like to be in consideration for - SOS, Commerce and Ambassador to China were three of the four listed.
November 21, 2008 2:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
Finally! The speculation ends. Congratulations to Senator Clinton and hopefully CNN can move on with their lives.
November 21, 2008 2:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's only begun on cnn and the other networks. Look out clintonian nonsense 24/7. Maybe that's obama's strategy, let the media hound clintons suck up all the media attention so that he can get things done.
November 21, 2008 3:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
You ARE kidding right?
now it will be ALL Hillary and Bill and no more Obama -- If he succeeds it will be all about THEM, if he fails, it will be all about HIM.
November 21, 2008 3:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
If Hillary and Bill Clinton are so gosh darn powerful, why is it we're talking about President-elect Obama???
You claim to be a fan of Obama's, but you obviously think he's no match for Hillary. You must have a very low opinion of Obama.
November 21, 2008 3:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
So, is it safe to say that NY Times report is not a speculation, right?
November 21, 2008 2:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
I understand the concerns and share some of them. But as many of you I have followed Obama every day for two years.
I'm confident in his leadership and the last time I checked the SoS executes the President's foriegn policy agenda.
While I didn't agree with her FP positions in the primaries, I don't buy the conspiracy theories. At the end of the day I believe she will serve her President and the country well and she is very concious of her own legacy.
November 21, 2008 2:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
Absolutely agreed.
November 21, 2008 3:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
I agree as well. She isn't my first choice, but I'll give her the benefit of the doubt until proven wrong.
November 21, 2008 3:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
Co-sign.
November 21, 2008 3:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
ditto
November 21, 2008 3:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ribbit!
November 21, 2008 3:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
Does Clinton as SOS allow Obama to now name Larry Summers to the Treasury?
Treasury was supposed to be of the utmost concern, and some had the spot being filled days after the election and yet here we still wait.
November 21, 2008 2:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
No Way, No how, No Summers. Obama should go with someone young like the Tim Geithner chairman of the NY Federal Reserve.
November 21, 2008 3:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
What about the woman at the FDIC? Her name is on the tip of my tongue. Sheila something? She seemed to have pretty good ideas about this whole mortgage debacle.
November 21, 2008 3:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
Shelia Bair. I don't think she has the gravitas for the current situation.
November 21, 2008 3:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Giethner is a mere five years younger than Summers.
November 21, 2008 3:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think the urgency to fill the Treasury was an MSM driven meme led my Tom Brokaw. In the 60 minutes interview Obama indicated regular collaberation with the Treasury.
I think it's more important the President-Elect and his team subtly influence and advice the current Treasury without giving an impression of a takeover.
November 21, 2008 3:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
NBC says Geithner.
November 21, 2008 3:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
Seems to be the case. I wonder how I missed that. Timothy Geithner as Treasury Secretary. Also Summers and Volcker will serve as senior economic advisers (or some such title) to Obama, Dan Tarullo will head up the National Economic Council and Austan Goolsbee and Jason Furman possibly heading to Council of Economic Advisers.
Geithner has served in the Treasury under Rubin and Summers - both internationalists and deregulators.
November 21, 2008 3:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, It's Geitner.
November 21, 2008 3:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
I don't think Summers would get along well with Congress. So in that sense Geithner is the better choice here. I'm glad Summers will still be kept on by Obama as a top adviser, nobody questions Summers economic genius and the "advisory" role will keep the folks happy who believe he is spawn of Satan for his Harvard remarks, as it is largely behind the scenes.
November 21, 2008 3:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm sorry... but I think this is great. I know BHO and HRC had there issues, but that was a while ago. Both these people are focused on what is best for this country as a whole.
It just seems that some of the supporter's that may not really be in the inner in-crowd are a little clueless and don't know what to make of this change between the two. It's called putting differences aside and working toward a greater good, God and the rest of us know that this nation has been divided in many of the last years and our image around the world will be improved with these two.
Obama- the brillant head & HRC- the bold mouth piece. Not to mention Biden- a voice of reason.
November 21, 2008 3:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
Despite all the awful things I've said about Hillary - and Bill - over the last year (and I don't retract a single one of 'em) I genuinely think this could be a great move. Either that or a disaster. Hmmm...
But whatever, she could be a great SOS. Or a disaster. But probably not mediocre. I think. Hope. Whatever.
November 21, 2008 3:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
It this announcement was played out without the MSM leaks and drama I'd be highly supportive of the appointment.
November 21, 2008 3:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
seconded.
November 21, 2008 3:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
http://www.236.com/news/2008/11/21/7_reasons_why_hiring_a_clinton_1_10374.php
November 21, 2008 3:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
That's funny stuff. But pretty accurate. Thanks.
November 21, 2008 3:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think Hillary will be a fine SoS. I bet she is a real pitbull.
I would like to see Obama gravitate towards veterans for the remainder of his foreign policy team, considering the two wars.
November 21, 2008 3:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/11/retired-four-st.html
November 21, 2008 3:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Is General Jones the same guy whose name was floated as a possible Obama VP pick? I recall some general's name going around for awhile.
November 21, 2008 3:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
One of them yeah. There was a few though.
November 21, 2008 3:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
********WARNING!!!************
THIS IS A NO PITTBULL ZONE!
November 21, 2008 3:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
THIS IS EXCELLENT NEWS!! FOR JOHN KERRY!!!
November 21, 2008 3:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
I can HEAR her conversations behind those closed doors now with allies and the enemy --- stick with me and you'll go far....
November 21, 2008 3:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
FOUR MORE YEARs (at the very least) of hearing about Hillary and Bill Clinton --- I can't wait---NOT
November 21, 2008 3:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Whether she became SoS or not, you would be hearing about these two, especially when the health care issue comes up. One of the side effects of this is that she will be out the loop on the healthcare reform debate, where I think she might have let her desire to redeem her last effort get in the way.
November 21, 2008 3:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Maybe they can send them to timbuktu for a couple of months when they are debating healthcare so that she doesn't screw it up again.
November 21, 2008 3:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
Remove tinfoil hat. Take deep breath. Repeat.
November 21, 2008 3:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
But who will lead the Senate on healthcare alongside Teddy?
November 21, 2008 3:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
Feingold?
November 21, 2008 3:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
I have an idea, have Hillary sign a form saying she will not run for president in 2012 even if Obama were to drop dead this moment.....THEN and ONLY THEN....will I believe she SUPPORTS Obama and HIS admin.
November 21, 2008 3:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
Just tracking down your comments along the thread I think you're a gonner.
November 21, 2008 3:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
I am not sure this was part of the original calculation by Obama, but . . .
Those people who were fanatical Hillary supporters are less likely to be grudging supporters of Obama. Not that the election showed this decisively harmed Obama . . . it did not.
It also suggests that Obama is quite willing to share the stage. I don't doubt that he does not mind being upstaged at certain moments, so long as he achieves his policy objectives. I suspect he will use this dynamic as a political and power resource. How he will play this dynamic will be positively entertaining.
November 21, 2008 3:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
Entertaining???? We're discussing our world economy, jobs, health care, WAR or PEACE, etc...you want a SHOW?
November 21, 2008 3:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
Precisely why we now have the most recognizable, toughest, pant-suities badass as the US Sec. of State.
Seriously, Hillary, warts and all, has provided great service to the USA and to the people of NY. Your criticism seems unhinged. We all want to fix this busted up wreck of a country...yeah, Hillary does too.
Can we try and back off the ledge, please?
November 21, 2008 3:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
She did? Really? I must have missed that.
November 21, 2008 3:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
So far his ability to play the political dynamics has been nothing less than spectacular. As you said, it will be entertaining and I believe Obama will always be one or two moves ahead of the Clintons. I heard one pundit say the other day he has shown himself to be the best machiavellian politician out there right now.
November 21, 2008 3:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
If this report is true, then I think we should pause and marvel at both President-elect Obama and Senator Clinton. It is an incredible gesture of respect for the president-elect to offer his chief political rival the Cabinet's most prominent post, and it is an extraordinary display of patriotism for Senator Clinton to serve the person who defeated her for the presidential nomination.
In other countries, political rivals engage in physical confrontations and much, much worse. These two leaders are demonstrating the meaning of leadership by setting aside personal differences to work together for the good of our country. I think we should stop carping about the political inside baseball and process stuff, and take a moment to celebrate the greatness of our democracy.
November 21, 2008 3:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
You need to lay off the heavy stuff Jeff. Obama's been suckered or forced and Hillary's out for number one.
Mark my word --- Hillary will run against Barack Obama in 2012 because she will have hurt his admin by doing things behind close doors or Bill's actions have caused Americans to FINALLY be fed up.
4 more years of Clinton Daily scoops --- can't wait.
November 21, 2008 3:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
Is asshattery reason to hit the "report abuse" button?
November 21, 2008 3:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
Has anyone heard on if the PUMA's approve of this appointment? Their opinion really matters and I'm sure she ran it by them first.
November 21, 2008 3:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
You mean all four of them had to give their okay?
November 21, 2008 3:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
What will the freaks at No Quarter do now?
November 21, 2008 3:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
Not to mention HillaryIs44.
November 21, 2008 3:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
I dropped in the other day to see if it was still there. It is. Hilarious. Their heads are probably exploding over this. Clinton in the obama administration. Too funny.
November 21, 2008 3:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah, she almost beat him to win the nomination. And now she's accepting a job to be his freakin' SECRETARY! There is no justice in this world, I tell ya. No justice at all.
November 21, 2008 3:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
That was funny, really funny. I know I said this before, but the cat with the bunny ears is priceless and tied in with the comments. I crack up all the time.
November 21, 2008 4:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
Greg, but a CNN Breaking News scroll says
"Bill Clinton Adviser (sic) says NY Time report premature".
Well, there is the drama for you.
November 21, 2008 3:47 PM | Reply | Permalink