Hillary as Sec. of State is a HOMERUN.

[Unsane]

I hope she takes it.

[TwilightZone]

1. So, it's been offered to her?

That would be no. She's being considered, along with Kerry, Richardson, and Daschle.

[Unsane]

2. It was leaked to pressure her to accept.

Nothing is a coincidence.

[TwilightZone]

4. Sure it was.

I love all of the conclusion-jumping around here.

[The Wielding Truth]

58. I'm not sure this was a leak. It may be a RW sucker punch.

If she leaves the senate what happens to her seat, and she is so not on the same page as Obama in foreign affairs.

Bill Clinton would be better than Hillary in this job. IMO,Hillary could be the main push in the Senate for healthcare with Ted Kenedy.

[Hieronymus]

35. Or leaked to force him to appoint her.

[AtomicKitten]

44. reindeer games

[Honeycombe8]

74. I think this may be why it was leaked. It won't work, but it will add to her "I've been wronged"

clout.

I'm being cynical, I know. But that IS a possibility, like the VP leak.

[Life Long Dem]

48. LOL!! Oh that is so backwards...

The media doesn't run Obama's administration to be or already formed.

[Cosmic Charlie]

56. that is some twisted logic

[Ozma]

8. This is a leak to see reaction in 24 hours.

I think it is ALSO to pressure her to accept it.

I think no one is more qualified and it fits her agenda, to make a name for herself in the world.

She can foster children's rights and educational issues, alongside peace and negotiations, and no one would argue with Hillary other than Obama!!!

[TechBear_Seattle]

3. Do we really want to strip the Senate? n/t

[Unsane]

6. Andrew Cuomo, Jerrold Nadler et al

Loads of good NY Dems to take over.

[Ozma]

12. So many good Dems in NY State, I wish they would send a few of them

to Alaska to run for Governor there.

or to Texas, or Arizona, or even Florida.......all of which need an influx of good Dems.

Heck, even Spitzer could be a good Senator.

There's a ton of Democrats with the chops to be Senator from NY state, living in NY state.

Nadler sure has earned the chance.

[Danger Mouse]

50. As a NYer, I say fuck Spitzer. He's done.

[BeyondGeography]

65. Spitzer is beyond done

The English language lacks a term for how done he actually is.

[Danger Mouse]

66. I tried to stick a fork in him cause he's done, but the fork bounced off.

That's how done he is.

[Beacool]

67. Yes, Spitzer was quite vicious and made many enemies.

No one, and I mean NO ONE, defended him during the aftermath of the revelation of his peccadillos. He was brutal in the way that he went after people for something that he was doing too. He was exposed as a hypocrite and no politician stood up for him, quite the contrary, they wanted his head on a platter. He reaped what he sowed........

:eyes:

[Sebastian Doyle]

9. Well, that all depends...

if Schumer gets to pick her replacement, then the answer would be NO. (and I know it wouldn't officially be his place to do so. I just don't want him having any input at all)

Not that I believe this story anyway. Or think Hillary is the best candidate for the job.

[Ozma]

16. Shumer is a Senator, not the Governor

Since when did you not know how successors to Senators who leave in mid-term are selected?

Read the State Consitution of the state of New York, OK?

[mollymongold]

11. do you really think NY would pick a Republican replacement lol?

[Sebass1271]

5. i would like for Hillary to be SEnate MAJORITY LEADER!

[Unsane]

7. She lacks seniority.

Majority leader is determined largely on seniority. Durbin would be next in line should Reid leave.

[The Wielding Truth]

60. This would be perfect!

[jesus_of_suburbia]

87. Me too. She won't take SOS. It is a nasty job that leads to a dead end.

I'd be very upset if she took it.

[ecstatic]

10. It doesn't break new ground, IMO. How about a cabinet post

never filled by a woman before? :shrug:

[Unsane]

14. It keeps her name in the natl spotlight where she can replace Biden for '12

[ecstatic]

27. Good point. That makes sense! nt

[Beacool]

68. Now you're talking!!!

:headbang:

[foo_bar]

92. H. Clinton and Biden are 5 years apart in age, what would be the point?

A four year vetting period? If Biden's such a political liability why wasn't Clinton veep in the first place? Why mess with success? Or is this a rerun of the same dire prediction that never materialized?

[Ozma]

21. Who cares about the genital plumbing of the Presidential Cabinet members?

We want the best person for the job. Not looking for gender issues here in the Cabinet.

Hillary would be a WONDERFUL S o S! And her being of a female gender just sweetens the pot! IMO

[Orsino]

13. Or as UN Ambassador...if we *must* take her out of the Senate. n/t

[Labors of Hercules]

18. UN ambassador is beneath her.

to be honest.

[Phx_Dem]

15. I think I agree. At first I didn't like the idea

because I thought she'd be better in the Senate. But the more I think about it, the more I think it could be a good fit.

[HeraldSquare212]

17. I just don't see why, there's no compelling reason for that.

And her most important foreign policy decision to date was a mistake.

[Labors of Hercules]

19. As SOS, she doesn't make the decisions...

She carries them out. And she's a kickass negotiator. TOTAL WIN-WIN.

[HeraldSquare212]

20. What makes you say she's a kick ass negotiator?

Her main negotiating experience was health care, which failed due to her unwillingness to negotiate, if reports are to be believed.

[Mojorabbit]

47. I agree

I think Richardson or Kerry are way better choices.

[Labors of Hercules]

77. Oh, nevermind her experience in the Senate, or as a Presidential candidate...

of course you have to harken back to when she was first lady trying to pass UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE through a Republican congress when the majority of the constituents weren't even behind it at that point. Jesus, talk about unreasonable expectations. :eyes:

[HeraldSquare212]

83. The question was about her negotiation skills, which are important for an SOS, I would think.

[W_HAMILTON]

22. I like it.

Hillary = Secretary of State in 2009 --> Vice President in 2012 --> President in 2016!

[NYCGirl]

46. You counting on Biden to die or something? NT

[W_HAMILTON]

61. Yes.

No, of course not, silly. There were just some rumors that he may step down eventually rather than run for president at the end of Obama's term, so I figured somewhere along the line, there might be that transition, if there is any truth to those rumors.

[NYCGirl]

85. Then how could Hillary become VP in 2012? That would be at the start of

Obama's second term. You think he'd dump Biden?

[W_HAMILTON]

88. I wouldn't think he would "dump" Biden at all.

I think it would be a decision that Biden makes. After an Obama administration, I don't know that Biden would be interested in pursing the presidency himself. If not, that would leave the door open for someone else, and assuming the Obama administration is successful, I think people who took part in that administration would have a leg up on the competition. Now that I think about it, I suppose Clinton wouldn't need to move up to the vice president, since Secretary of State is a pretty prestigious position as is.

What I said was just more believing the rumors that Biden may eventually step down and allow someone with presidential aims to eventually take over the office.

[wisteria]

23. Sure why not? What is one more person associated with the Clinton Administration

joining the Obama administration- wow- change we can really take seriously.
Frankly, she has no qualifications at all for this position other than representing the former president as his first lady.

[jillan]

24. Funny - I never thought of her - but it's perfect.

The Clinton's have a good name in most of the world.

I'm torn between her and Kerry.
Since Obama hasn't called me for my opinion, I'll just trust his.

[TheKentuckian]

25. I think she is capable and wouldn't be upset at all but there are better fits

and if we're going capable but bypassing the top fits then maybe we should have a younger person in the position that will be grooming to be a future President.

[genna]

26. I don't know whether it is a homerun or not. Kerry and Richards signed up early

What is the tradeoff for either one of them if he says, thanks for bringing this far but HRC worked her ass off and needs her own reward?


As far as the point of emptying the Senate of senior guys, each one of them are in a Democrat governor's hands. I can't think of a better time for a Senator to make a transition than when a Democrat President takes the reins of power. From Biden 30 going on 36 years as Senator to Kerry to Daschle (even though his lost was not voluntary), where else would that Washington experience come from since Obama said lobbyists can't influence the areas in which they are experts.


I wasn't necessarily enamored with that whole term limits idea because I think experience in the legislative process is actually a plus. But people let's face it, Obama has 3 or 4 back breaking issues to resolve in 4 years. Someone with experience needs to be in office with him to give him the best advice. The Separation of Powers demands that the legislative branch takes on the executive branch. Obama needs inside players going to bat with each other and presenting a united front to the outside world.

[karynnj]

39. I don't think any of the three of them should get it as payoff.

Also, if it was payoff, the only one who Obama truely owes anything to is NOT HRC, but Kerry. Kerry gave him the 2004 speech and he endorsed him after the NH loss. There was a very strong chance that without Kerry's endorsement to immediately change the story and the fact that he did not just simply give him an endorsement - he became the best surrogate for Obama and he was the counter to Bill Clinton. Bill Clinton had greater stature, but Kerry made it up by having the reputation for integrity and moral standing to call Clinton on his lies - saying that being a former President does not give you the right to abuse the truth. He also gave by far the best non- acceptance speech at that convention - and per the NYT the best in 2 decades. He worked far harder for oBama - and in his own state had to deal with a primary challenger mostly because of HRC supporters angry with his endorsement.

That said Obama will choose who will best do the job. Kerry and HRC do not start at the same point. Kerry can stay in the Senate and be chair of the SFRC and hold senior positions on three other important committees. He will be a powerful Senator. HRC is a Junior Senator. It may well be that Biden and Obama with Kerry and other senior foreign policy advisors might be the real deciders of foreign policy that the SoS will implement.

[Nevernose]

42. It's wasn't Kerry. It was Harry Reid who gave Obama his break.

It was Reid who "mentored" Obama. "Test-marketed" might be a better word for it. In 2004, Reid was the one bringing Obama around to GOTV for Kerry -- and testing the waters while he was at it. I heard Obama's speech a few weeks before the 2004 convention, for instance, in a crowd of 40-50 people at the West Las Vegas library. Reid was the one responsible for introducing Obama to the national stage -- he's a quiet guy, likes the kingmaker role, and does very well when the spotlight's not on him. Of course, now that debt works both ways.

I wonder how much geography/demographics plays into our perceptions of the situation? I.e., here in Nevada I have heard a lot more about Bill Richardson and have seen a lot more of him that I have John Kerry.

[karynnj]

53. Reid may have done that, but Kerry chose Obama

This does not mean that Reid did work with Obama. It is interesting to know that he helped Obama do a trial run - but that doesn't change that it was Kerry's choice of him that put him on the stage. (Not to mention Kerry's immediately after NH endorsement was extremely important).

As to Richardson, after reading of his messuganah ideas on stealing water from the Great Lakes for the west - I don't want to hear more. It would create an ecological disaster. (Maybe he needs to watch "Chinatown" and then google for real life pictures of the area they drained.) p://aquadoc.typepad.com/waterwired/2007/10/sharing-water-i.html Having grown up with 20 miles of a Great Lake - this geography matters to me.

Also, having worked for a major research company - I really was horrified by his handling of the Wen Ho Lee espionage case. I especially wonder if the man would have been treated the same if his name was John Smith or Jose Chavez.

[politicasista]

86. It's interesting people are trying to downplay Kerry's involvement in Obama's

historical run for president.

[lame54]

28. depends who they get to fill her senate seat

[Kalyke]

29. Yawn....

You know, there are qualified Democrats who aren't in the Senate.

We need to put some fresh blood in the mix and stop recycling people who've had their term, like, 20 times already.

[Synnical]

30. We need her in The Senate. n/t

[high density]

31. I see Andrea Mitchell is back to pimping out every rumor she hears

Jeeze.

[TahitiNut]

72. She does the DC cocktail party circuit like a porta-potty.

People know she's there to take a leak.

:shrug:

[judy]

32. I don't see what is so great about Hillary being Sec of State...

I myself did not support her candidacy because of her hawkishness...
I remember her remarks about Iran ("We'll obliterate them"), plus I am not crazy about Obama's Clinton-revisited appointments.
Not a good choice, in my humble view...

Can someone "talk me down", as Rachel would say??

[Muttocracy]

89. I remember Biden was appalled by her vote for Kyl-Lieberman

so I have trouble seeing this myself. Kerry or Holbrooke make a lot more sense and actually have foreign policy experience.

[DU GrovelBot]

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[Fabio]

34. Here is a problem with this:

I think Senator Clinton is magnanimous and true professional, and could serve ably as Sos. But I do think that her close staff and key supporters have a lot of scar tissue about the election, and it might create some problems down the road.

[political_Dem]

38. I agree.

Clinton spent her entire campaign deriding and belittling Obama. Why should she be rewarded?

[Beacool]

69. And Obama wasn't trying to win the nomination too?

Please.........

:eyes:

[BREMPRO]

79. foul ball, NO!

I don't think she has the temperament or diplomatic skill, and she and Bill would be tempted to run foreign policy over Obama's better judgement. Clinton=conflict.
She would be better as Health and Human services sec. closer to her interests, experience.

[political_Dem]

36. No. We need new blood.

This is a time for change.

If anyone from the Clinton camp gets a nod, it would be Bill Richardson who has actual experience.

[blonndee]

37. delete

responded to wrong thread. Still, wow.

[TexanDem]

40. no - he's using enough Clinton era people -- he needs his own! Kerry for Secy of State!

[fadedrose]

41. Put her in charge of health care

This would be an "old" hand at a "new" task. The people needing health care would be comfortable with her at the table.

SOS should be somebody new - the world is waiting for someone new.. they're all excited about a "new" president and are expecting the unexpected...

[SIMPLYB1980]

43. She would be a great pick.

[AJH032]

45. yep

It would be a great way to mend our relationships with other countries.

[MBS]

49. I think it's a diversion tactic, to mislead the talking heads

and to flatter Hillary, and to assure her and her supporters she's taken seriously. But I don't think she's a serious prospect for that job. She might be tapped for something else, but not this. It ain't gonna happen.
My bet is that she'll stay in the Senate.

[Metric System]

55. That sounds horrible. I would hope the Obama camp isn't playing games with Hillary & her supporters.

I think she's fine in the Senate so it's not like I'm necessarily rooting for her to be SOS. However, what you suggest pisses me off. I mean, you're saying she's being taken seriously but she's not a serious prospect. Huh? Ugh.

[4themind]

57. I don't see any upside for them to do that

what would they need to divert from? I think they are either considering this, or the people that are leaking this aren't actually in the know, and I don't have enough information to clearly dissociate one from the other at this point, so I'd just wait it out, being patient and open minded but also circumspect.

[4themind]

63. I don't see how that's really necessary though

From my vantage point at least there wasn't a ton of clammoring for her to get this position from outside forces, at least not relative to the V.P. at least. If anything,the Obama camp wanted to tamp down rumors of her being the V.P. not stoke them. Even still there was brush back for her not being vetted, but it wasn't sufficient to cost him the election. And now after winning the G.E. by such a wide margin I think he's been given a large amount of confidence and leeway as to how he wants to shape his cabinet, I don't see diversions as necessary, I think this is either a real consideration for them, or the people who are leaking this are going off of second hand information and they simply don't know themselves what's actually going on.

[Beacool]

70. Hillary and her supporters do not need to be patronized.

This better NOT be the reason why this rumor is in the media.

Besides, why would Hillary want to be in hi cabinet in the first place? She has more power in the senate.

[spooky3]

51. I love this idea. She would be excellent.

[scrappydo]

52. I do not think Hillary is the best choice....

I would rather see her stay in the Senate and work on health care reform. I would prefer to see Kerry or Richardson in that spot. Obama need his own people in his administration, not someone who attacked his leadership and foreign policy credentials relentlessly during the primaries - even saying McCain was more credible in those areas than our next president.

[flamingdem]

54. BAD news for lifting the Cuban embargo anytime soon..........

... should she accept. Hillary is hawkish on Cuba due to her brother's influence.

[zulchzulu]

59. I'll bet $1000 that Hillary Clinton will NOT be Sec. of State

It's a rumor to fill a slow news cycle. I thought people knew how the mainstream media worked by now...

[Lumpsum]

76. Agreed.

I'd be surprised if Hillary gets ANY position in his cabinet.

She's best where she is in the senate.

Kerry or Richardson will be SoS.

[bvar22]

62. An unrepentant supporter of Bush's Invasion & Occupation of Iraq?

I think that would be a BIG No!

[Colobo]

64. I want her to accept. Hillary Clinton is a great public servant and she deserves it.

[boppers]

71. How many countries can she go to and "dodge bullets on the tarmac"?

If she gets the position, she's going to need some schooling on gravitas and verbal precision. SoS is not a position for poo-flingers and mud-slingers.

[Beausoir]

78. Seek professional help.

[boppers]

91. I did.

His name's Barack.

[lamp_shade]

73. I hope the rumor is true. No one (except Biden of course) would be better.

[kasjaws2]

75. Home run yes

I think she would make a great SoS. And Obama wants "rivals" in his cabinet AND if he wants to be a "different" kind of politician then there are no pay backs to Kerry/Richardson. I don't think Kerry would make a good SoS at all

[BREMPRO]

80. foul ball, NO!

I don't think she has the temperament or diplomatic skill, and she and Bill would be tempted to run foreign policy over Obama's better judgement. Clinton=conflict.
She would be better as Health and Human services sec. closer to her interests, experience.

[shayes51]

81. Me, too!

[Spider Jerusalem]

82. A home run for whom and how?

How is she qualified to oversee the foreign policy and diplomacy of the United States?

[Robeson]

90. Agreed. We need to get back to where the SOS is a policy wonk FOR the President...

...not just a celebrity.

[ClarkUSA]

84. Bill would have to come clean about his private business dealings & library donor records

As the husband to the future Secretary of State, former President Clinton would be forced to disclose details about his
private business dealings with other countries, and Obama's vetters would probably ask to see donor records for the
Clinton Library Foundation. And then there's the three-ring circus of Senate hearings on these matters, which
Republicans will enjoy bringing to the light of day.

[davidpdx]

93. I agree with you, she would have to answer a lot of questions

from 2001 to current about her husband's finances as well as his library. I think everyone on here tends to over look that fact as though it's not even an issue. Trust me, when it comes to her confirmation in the Senate, it will need to be disclosed.

[cboy4]

94. I sure hope she takes it.

:bounce:

Yes indeed.