Will Hillary Clinton be the Secretary of State?
By John Amato Thursday Nov 13, 2008 6:59pm
The Obama camp sure is leaking a lot of names out there these days. They are called trial balloons:
Here's the definition:
A trial balloon is information sent out in order to observe the reaction of an audience. It can be used by companies sending out press releases to judge reaction by customers, or it can be used by politicians who deliberately leak information on a policy change under consideration. In politics trial balloons often take the form of an intentional news leak to assess public opinion.
The newest one that NBC is reporting is that Hillary Clinton is being considered for Secretary of State.
There's talk, indeed, that Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) may now be under consideration for the post. Her office referred any questions to the Obama transition; Obama spokesman Tommy Vietor declined to comment.
The pick of the former presidential contender and Senate Armed Services Committee member would go a long way toward healing any remaining divisions within the Democratic Party after the divisive primaries. Also, Clinton has long been known for her work on international women's issues and human rights. The former first lady could also enhance Obama's efforts to restore U.S. standing amongst allies worldwide.
This one is very interesting indeed. She's certainly qualified for the job and it certainly would freak out the freepers.
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Works for me.
I have to give this some thought.
I kinda like her as a Senator.
She does wield some serious influence abroad.
I don't doubt that she would do a good job.
I just hate to lose her in the Senate.
Those are the three words I was going to say.
I mean "works for me."
Senate majority leader. So long Harry.
I think Hillary and her talents could best be used by making her Senate Majority Leader . . . She is more valuable to the Democratic Party and their plans for America remaining a senator than a cabinet member.
..That's what I think, too - Obama is consulting with Hillary about running to be majority leader. I'm sure she could be a swell SoS, but I really think it would be best if she used her strengths, talent and connections in the domestic arena to ensure that passage of whatever legislation the Dems put up > especially on healthcare and the economy.
She would have the foreign policy experience and gravitas -- not to mention NO young children -- to run for the top spot herself.
Hoo Wah!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)
I always thought BILL Clinton would be a good choice for the job. He knows the players on the international stage, he's well respected and he's not got another job like HIllary.
as Ambassador. It's a step down from pres. in some ways but it would fit w/his Global Aids Initiative, and he would probably end up Sec. Gen. of the UN. He's still very well loved throughout the world.
Hillary would be an extremely accomplished Sec of State.
Put Al Gore in charge of an expanded EPA tasked with developing new green energy sources while cleaning up Bush's messes. He has earned this, not because he's a Dem, or a Clintonite, but because he has damn well earned it. And he would certainly bring a nice change of reference since he's demonstrably more interested in improving conditions rather than lobbying for some energy corporation.
I think Gore is too over the top and will create more animosity towards green tech and living than anyone else. I appreciate his work, but it is time for young Americans to start tackling this enormous problem.
is all I can say. But would she do it?
Now your talkin'
for his cabinet and the country. Appoint Bill to something too. Damn, what an administration that would be, filled with the best and the brightest.
to make a wise decision but the pressure is immense. Hillery needs to stay where she is as the Junior Senator from NY..we do not have a filibuster proof Senate.
Her husbands business dealings would prove a conflict of interest because of contributions not disclosed!!!Thw world leaders would not trust her to run any but her own agenda and would be running back to Obama /Biden for conformation!!!
I just assumed that she would but of course it's up to her.
maybe this is a move to get a polarizing figure out of the senate so the administration has an easier time getting things done? the right cannot put her face on initiatives like healthcare to try and demonize.
Oh hell yeah!
Man if that happens wait for heads to EXPLODE!!!
What a coup that would be!
She is very smart, pretty savvy, knows important people all over the world quite well, and her detante skills far, far surpass Condi Rice, possibly the worst SoS in my living history...but that Hils could make freeper heads explode? PRICELESS!!!
I hope she takes it for that alone.
Popcorn all around!
I wish I was quick enough to think of it first.
Please tell me it ain't so !
I was wondering because of the comments about appointing Bill Clinton does the fact that he was president for 8 years and the line of succession to the presidency disqualify him from some positions? I know there was talk about him as a vice presidential candidate at one time be he felt that he was disqualified.
since I have had a civics class, but I believe that a person can serve two terms as POTUS, be out of office for one term, and then run again.
I do not believe that there is a two term ONLY limit...but it is two terms in succession.
Please do correct me if my not long enough memory serves me incorrectly.
According to the 22nd Amendment (easy to remember. Two consecutive 2's. 2 terms. Heh), no one can serve more than two terms as President, consecutive or otherwise. If the VP becomes President in the middle of his predecessors' term, if he serves for less than two years, it doesn't count as a full term and he can run twice more. If, like Carter or Pappy Bush, you serve only one term, if you ran again years later, you could only serve one term if you won, so no one ever bothers.
{ Deleted. SiteMonitor}
in AK (or CA, as Laura Ingraham suggests because she was pissed by what Ahnauld said).
Hey! What did I say that was so offensive to be deleted? Shit, I didn't advocate violence or anything. What gives?
{Sorry Matt, I just wanted you to cut him some slack ok?
We all make little spelling errors. No Harm, No Foul. SiteMonitor}
Matt was going for the difference between succession v. secession. That's how I read it, at least...and there is a huge difference in meaning there, not spelling. (Albeit, neither was correct. :-) )
OK, so I'm now reeling in remorse at suggesting you all had your heads up your asses. I apologize. Can I get a response from you so I can go to bed without the guilt? (Geez. I hate being a recovering Catholic....)
{ Don't worry about it:) I know the feeling:) SiteMonitor}
Why not nominate someone who actually opposed the Iraq War Resolution, rather than someone who continues to bullshit about how badly "misled" he/she was?
It's a fair question.
amen!
Why not nominate someone who actually opposed the Iraq War Resolution, rather than someone who continues to bullshit about how badly "misled" he/she was?
It's a fair question.
Of course it is.
Obama obviously owes them something big for his win.
Why is Albright an advisor already? Why wasn't Obama taking on Lieberman? I guess it was Hillary's treacly live-broadcast AIPAC speech that made her intentions clear regarding "Peace" as did her Gulf War Voting record. To return these people to power regarding Foreign Policy, with Emanuel on board, is ridiculously self-evident. Obama's own statements about Jerusalem seals the deal.
Obama is unfortunately failing. He shows within minutes he is owned, has no ideas of his own policy or cabinet, but this wishy-washing "bi-partisanship" that menas apparently he is scared of the Clintons.
Regarding "Foreign Policy" this was a time he should have shined. Instead we voters are forced into a hijacking of his own doing, which will be his undoing. Totally lack of leadership already, that was fast.
Better idea: get her as Senate Majority Leader, kicking worthless Harry Reid to the curb. Then offer the SoS post to Al Gore. He'd decline, then offer it to Bill Richardson, who'd accept it.
That would be enough of the Clinton hold-overs, so we could then put real progressives with no strings attached into important positions and get the country started on the right track.
Reid is a joke. I get those bullshit Give 'em hell Harry emails. HA! Give them a blowjob is more like it. He is lamer than the Bushduck.
We need to relegate him to inconsequential status in the Senate. he exemplifies all the stereotypes the right holds about liberals.
Wow, can you imagine her giving republicans hell on the senate floor?
It would be worth it just to see Repigs' heads explode.
I don't think that's Obama's style. He's not in this for short-term vengeance, however tempting. He's in this for the long-term satisfaction of coming in and doing this so well, that it will live for generations.
Remember The Wrath of Khan? "Revenge is a dish best eaten cold."
Dude, get it right. "Revenge is a dish best SERVED cold." Sorry, just the trekker in me.
This may be the ultimate end game. You see, the Clintons are very very angry at Richardson. He would make a good SOS. If Obama were to ask Richardson, Obama may be is a difficult spot with the Clintons. Hill has said she wants to remain in the Senate (who knows if she was just saying it or not) and she would be in a real good spot. And she could replace Reid very easily. Especially after she came so close to winning the nomination. So if she declines, which she very easily could (unless Obama really really wants her) then Richardson could be asked with no repercussions.
the junior Senator from NY...She is not eligible for Majority leader and it would be highly unlikely her fellow Senators would elect her!!!
She has run her senate seat as a run for the Whitehouse...suspect at the very least and not considered a leader--too careful...
Bill's business dealings would make it diffcult to not cause a CONFLICT OF INTEREST!!! Then there are those undisclosed contributions to the Library and Foundations!!!
I agree she would be tempted to push out Richardson-- old revenge politics!
Richardson gets things done. He has international clout and would be an ideal choice. Clinton would do really well, she is also more than capable, but with Obama, Biden and then Clinton out of the Senate, and Sen. Kennedy's days seemingly coming to a close in the Senate as well, it seems to me that we would be losing alot of influence if Clinton left. I'd rather see Richardson get it
Richardson has a reputation of getting things done as an intermediary.
would be ideal as Sec. of State. His heritage positions him well for dealings with Mexico and also South America.
It would be a plus if the Sec State spoke fluent Spanish.
I think he also speaks other languages as well. I'm not sure which ones though.
Yeah, I was pissed off about the way she smeared Obama. But you know she redeemed herself by campaigning for him. Also, I would like to see Limpballs, O'Lielly and the freepers heads explode.
so if i hit you in the head w/ a baseball bat and you live, do i redeem myself by raising money for your brain surgery?
Yup. ;^)
That is an absolutely terrible analogy.
Hillary Clinton worked damn hard to get Obama elected, putting more time and energy into it than any other runner-up in the history of the United States.
"SECTION. 1. No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, and no person who has held the office of President, or acted as President, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of President more than once. But this Article shall not apply to any person holding the office of President when this Article was proposed by Congress, and shall not prevent any person who may be holding the office of President, or acting as President, during the term within which this Article becomes operative from holding the office of President or acting as President during the remainder of such term."
Twice means twice. Bill was elected twice. He cannot be in line to become president again. Ever.
Wasn't Hillary out of consideration for VP because Obama didn't want Bill around? Why would this job any different? This Barack's first term, not Bill's third.
As I said above...it has been a very, very long time. :)
it says no person shall be "elected" twice. bill certainly could be in a line of succession and still be president if something were to happen. that being said, i cannot even fathom him being offered a position in the cabinet.
rachel's closing statement tonight is great...
connects the dots and presents the arguments about leaving the LIEberman in his chairmanship...
i sure hope those senators get to see it...
over at Washington Monthly has been saying this since the firs day it became a story.
And they are both right on.
Rachel layed it out. Keep a collar on him,pull hard if he doesn't mind. Let the clock run out. I can't see him winning in CT ever again,R,D or I, as that candle lit at both ends burns him and his 3 faces.
Richardson seems to be the smartest choice. Hillary keeps her vote in the congress (you know Bill will advise), and let Gore do what he does best.
can't find anyone opposed to war and cutting our defense budget waaaay down? i love how people liek her profess how they were duped to vote for the war- these insiders.
i'm a vet. if she's so into maintaining an empire (and she will be), why didn't she join the military?
isn't this supposed to be about change? she's not evil like condi, just chooses to be ignorant when it suits her (ie. iraq resolution).
oh, that warm blanket of denial...it can also suffocate you.
President Obama will not appoint any Senator to the cabinet where there is a snowball's chance of the other party taking the seat, as in Sen. Giuliani. This is a non-starter.
if it is Patterson appointing a replacement.
we also need to get over this fascination w/ celebrity that extends into the political realm. we ooh and aah at the potential high-profile choices as if he was choosing members of some sports dream team, or rock supergroup (like asia was so much better than yes or blind faith better than cream/traffic) or adding aquaman (or in her case, closer to HAWKman) to the justice league of america.
we should be figuring out right about now that perception IS NOT reality.
period.
there is a whole lot of downside being ignored.
It gets better. He's not even in the office yet. Just wait. Regret will be the one word most used in regards to the Obama vote.
...No.
Hillary will not be the next Secretary of State. Including her name as "in consideration" is a sign of respect, but the likelihood they'd offer her the job (or she'd even accept if they did) is slim-to-none.
I still say Obama's BEST choice would be Richardson. A boatload of Diplomatic experience that is sorely lacking under Bush, plus he has a reputation and is respected worldwide (plus, as some have pointed out, with a huge Latino vote helping Obama in many Red states, giving the job to Richardson would be a huge acknowledgment of thanks for their support.)
Hey. I though Kerry was suppose to be SOS. What gives?
His credibility.
Put her on the Supreme Court. Let Bill Richardson who has proven skills be Secretary of State. My opinion.
that she is not interested in the SCOTUS.
Why give the Limpballs and Manatees of the world time to build a case?
Please don't insult Florida's slow, clumsy, oft-maimed unnecessarily sea cows with Klannity.
He is far more stupid, awkward, and well, I won't go there, due to site limitations...
I think that should President-Elect Obama choose to appoint Senator Clinton as the Secretary of State it would only be until there was an opening on the Supreme Court. I honestly believe that the "deal" was made that Senator Clinton would be named to the Court in exchange for her and former President Clinton's assistance in the campaign.
If such a deal occurred, it was a brilliant deal. I would love to see Senator Clinton the Supreme Court.
I'm all for Richardson...just get the guy some new suits that actually fit and call it a day.
And a razor?
Wow- Obama just can't get enough DLC-types, can he? Call me cynical, but these picks are not filling me with confidence.
I just hope Gates doesn't continue as SoD.
I say nominate her for the Supreme Court and watch the reichwingers really shit themselves.
She would never get anything done. Either she'd be ducking sniper fire at every stop or she'd be recognized as the shameless liar she has become.
Our country's reputation has become little more than a bad joke under George W. Bush. Perhaps it's time to ditch nepotism as our primary criterion and try using actual qualifications for a change.
She's tough, smart and highly political -- which puts her on a level playing field with Petraeus and some of the other three- and four-stars. She's been somewhat hawkish for a Democrat, and she's on Armed Services in the Senate, so she knows the Pentagon and they know her. It gets her out of the Senate, where she can create great mischief for the president, and into the Cabinet where she will have a personal stake in making the Obama administration a success. It makes her subject to Obama's authority as C-in-C somewhat more than she would be as SoS, both because of the military chain of command and because SoS is considered the highest ranking Cabinet post, with its own cachet and prerogatives. And she would be the first female in charge of the Pentagon, which I suspect would appeal to her.
Somehow I cannot see Hillary as being "subject" to somebody else's agenda, and I think she wouldn't like being SOS. I think her ego is too big and she would not be happy unless she were totally in control.
The Clintons' time is over. Her primary campaign against Obama was pretty nasty, and it's time for Obama to move on without them.
Hillary's votes (re: Iraq and Iran) for the willful mass murder of hundreds of thousands of foreign civilians knowing neither they nor their governments posed any threat to us (or any country) or wished us any harm should disqualify her for any position involving foreign policy or affairs. That should be sufficient reason for disqualification without the addition of her dishonesty and fraudulent maneuvers to claim plausible denial for her crimes
She can't be trusted with significant influence on Tyranny (free) trade agreements or other international agreements. She has a track record of selling out her country, the American people and humanity without conscience or remorse.
She should not hold public office (in my opinion) but while she remains in the Senate on in the Obama administration she should only be considered for committees or positions that deal strictly with domestic issues.
Peace,
JK
If it is offered Hils will make a sensational Sec of State. Tough, steady, intelligent, loyal and patriotic....yep she IS the lady, great choice.
No Way, No How, No Clinton!!!
Give me a break. Are we supposed to forget her words about Obama in the primaries?
Yes we are..We forgot about the words against Obama that Biden said when he was nominated VP. True, hers were somewhat nastier, but it's called politics and involves acceptance of a certain amount of two-faced-ness. And she would probably make a great SoS, although I'd rather see her kicking ass as SMLeader.
negotiation capabilities in (particularly) the Muslim world? Not saying that Hillary couldn't be effective, but would she be too heavily handicapped (by religion, because of her biology) in critical regions of the world?
Not sure if "lack of respect" is part of Condi's problem as well?
I think Gore is too over the top and will create more animosity towards green tech and living than anyone else. I appreciate his work, but it is time for young Americans to start tackling this enormous problem.
^^Sorry, this was a reply to someone way up top, disregard.
I agree with Kadee. I think Hillary would have much more power and control of her destiny and agenda if she was made Senate Majority Leader.
She would also be a distinct improvement over Harry Reid, one of the weakest most spineless Senate Leaders in memory.
It would also make removing Nancy Pelosi from her position more palatable. She is also a spineless jelly fish and needs to be replaced with a stronger Majority Leader.
I'd druther Hillary get appointed to the Supreme Court, just to see Scalia's expression.
How does the saying go? "Keep your friends close, something something..."
I thought it was, "Incest is best when kept in the family."
You really need to cut back on the caffeine.
Uh...we have a "junior Senator" that became President of the United States.
Hillary could be Majority Leader in a heartbeat.
She has huge cred outside of the US. I for one would like to see her as SOS, or some other plumb job. Whether you like it or not, she got huge support during the nom campaign. She's tough and feisty. Like her or not, she's not going away. Puleeze put her in the same room as SP. Is it true SP is making a run for the senate in 2010?
Remember when Jeb Bush was considered a future Pres? How bubbles burst so quickly.
So what's Hillary been working on for the last 30 years? National Health Care. It fits her like a glove. It would be great for the country and one appointment that would for ONCE make sense. Put her in charge of that.
Besides, who is sick of seeing Bill Clinton's ass in the camera.
And let's not forget: she's got experience dodging sniper fire in foreign lands.
If she can repeat that with a straight face, she's probably good at negotiating, in some warped way, of course.
As long as she is replaced in the Senate by someone who isn't a bush lapdog like Harry Reid I think it could work.
Hillary would be a great Secretary of State. Make Gore head of the EPA and appoint Bill Clinton to the next available seat on the Supreme Court.
Richardson would be a great choice as well, but hillary has my vote for what it's worth. go hillary. compare her intellect to sarah pallin's. no contest.
The two don't go together. Putting her into the place of Madeline Albright, with the same international policy perspective would be dangerous. Anyone for another "humanitarian bombing"? I would expect the anti-war crowd would be all over this one. And fast. After all, her policies would affect Iraq directly.
Change is starting to look awfully familiar.
So far all we've gotten is more DLC and AIPAC.
But where is the DNC and J-Street?
It was the Progressive, Liberal Dems that built the base, did the work, worked the phones and hit the streets, got the vote out, brought the conservatives over to our side. Progressives are the ones that made, earned, and deserve the mandate that brought Obama into office; not further capitulation to corporate and hawkish interest.
It seems the more things change the more they really do stay the same.
"When he gets elected I will dance. I will dance on the morning of his inauguration and I will break dance in the evening, BUT the next day I will become his biggest critic. He must be held accountable."
-Dr. Cornel West
Can you imaging watching Hillary go after the GOP corruption machine?
Maybe I'm nuts for thinking it would make for great TV (I haven't slept much of late), but with her intelligence, legal background and disdain for the GOP, I would think she would be a great choice for Obama, who promised he would look into the bush/cheney presidency's corruption.
I'd say there's a short list of people in the U.S. who could put dick cheney in an orange jumpsuit but I'd put Hillary on that list.
Again, maybe I'm just goofy from sleep depravation.
I'm in.
"freek out the freepers?" Thats the best reason to pick Hillary? Sure, if its anything we need nowadays, its more spiteful politics. How about a secretary of state that isn't a war-hawk in democrats clothing?? Oh right, this is an Obama Administration. Warmongers all around!!!
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