Clinton accepts Obama secretary of state offer: NY Times

[Breeze54]

Clinton accepts Obama secretary of state offer: NY Times

http://www.reuters.com/article/vcCandidateFeed2/idUSTRE4AK6TK20081121

Fri Nov 21, 2008 3:53pm EST

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -

New York Sen. Hillary Clinton has accepted an offer from President-elect Barack Obama to become U.S. secretary of state, joining her former Democratic rival to help guide U.S. foreign policy, the New York Times said on Friday.

The newspaper quoted two Clinton associates who said she came to her decision after additional discussions with Obama about the nature of her role as the top U.S. diplomat and his foreign policy plans.

"She's ready," one of the sources told the newspaper, which posted the report on its website.

Clinton emerged as a frontrunner for the secretary of state job late last week, transfixing a country which had seen her compete hard against Obama to win the Democratic nomination for the presidency. Obama clinched that nomination in June and then beat Republican John McCain in the November 4 election.

Democratic Party sources have recently said Clinton, was on track to be nominated, with an official announcement expected after the November 27 Thanksgiving holiday.

NBC news meanwhile also reported two other key Obama appointments: New York Federal Reserve President Timothy Geithner as treasury secretary, and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson as commerce secretary. NBC said official announcements on the appointments were expected on Monday.

Officials with the Obama transition team had no immediate comment.

Clinton has a global profile both as a political leader in her own right and as the wife of former U.S. President Bill Clinton.

Policy analysts say her selection as secretary of state could mean a more hawkish U.S. stance, noting that she has been more reluctant than Obama to commit to a firm timetable for withdrawing U.S. troops from Iraq.

(Writing by Andy Quinn, Editing by Frances Kerry)

That's exactly what I'm bothered about by this selection...

'her selection as secretary of state could mean a more hawkish U.S. stance'

:puke: :grr: :puke:

[PBS Poll-435]

1. Yep

:woohoo:

[JuniperLea]

2. She's going to rock that position!

I'm very pleased.

[Breeze54]

3. Really? So you want to stay in Iraq?

:puke:

[PBS Poll-435]

4. STATE

Not Defense.

[rockymountaindem]

6. Don't you think State has a lot to do with that matter?

Hint: it does. Look at Powell's role in getting us in there.

[PBS Poll-435]

9. Not as much as Defense, the Joint Chiefs, NSA,etc. nt

[Breeze54]

12. Don't you think the SOS has a hand in what happens in Foreign Policy?

:silly:

[PBS Poll-435]

16. Sure do

The decision to stay in Iraq or to withdraw will be made by someone OTHER than the Secretary of State.

[Breeze54]

22. I realize that but she WILL have influence over negotiations.

:(

[JuniperLea]

37. And you have no faith in Obama to do the right thing?

come on... really?

[Breeze54]

40. When did I say that?

:shrug:

He didn't do the right thing on FISA.

You do the math.

[JuniperLea]

41. So, you're just plain old anti-Obama from the git go?

:eyes:

[Breeze54]

54. WTF are you talking about?! I VOTED and CAMPAIGNED FOR Obama, *ick*ad!

Gheesh!! But that doesn't mean I agree with every fucking thing he says or does!!

I loved my parents too but I didn't agree with every fucking thing they said either!!

Grow up.

[JuniperLea]

31. She will have a new boss...

It's his call... she will do his bidding.

[MyNameGoesHere]

38. Funny she had almost the exact pullout that President Obama stated.

Are you smearing my president?

[Breeze54]

55. They both need to get on with the withdrawal... ASAP!!!!!

"smearing" your President?

Give me a break.

It's an insult to our military and to the Iraqi people and the American people

to continue this illegal occupation.

[az chela]

13. This war needs to end now.people are dying for no reason

and to keep this war going is insane so Hallary better get over her hawkishness and find a way to help end this massacre now.

[Breeze54]

23. I agree wholeheartedly, az chela..

It's got to end... NOW!!!!

:hug:

[JuniperLea]

33. And how the hell do you expect she can keep it going

With a boss who wants to end it.

Jeez people! Get a fucking grip! Have a little faith in the man we elected! Give him a fucking chance to get behind the wheel before you complain about his fucking driving!!!

Where the hell were you during the campaign anyway? He said is doing exactly what he said he was going to do, and all y'all have your knickers in a twist because he is doing what he said he was going to do!

Jesus Mary and Joseph! Heaven help us all.

[rockymountaindem]

5. I just don't understand why she'd do this, or why her fans are so happy

Think about it. Most cabinet secretaries don't last long (except for those in less visible positions like agriculture). Dubya has had two Secretaries of State. Clinton had two. George H.W. Bush had two in only one term. Reagan had two. So that means Clinton is not likely to serve as Sec. of State for all that long.

This brings me to my main point. Clinton's career in the Senate stood to be long and distinguished. Her career at State stands to be short and distinguished. That's a big trade-off. After that, what can she do? If she leaves after one term she can't run for Gov. of NY unless Patterson loses. As I understand he could be Governor for 10 years. She can't really go back to the Senate because she will lose the seniority she has built up over the last 8 years. So she seems to be going for the short big-time career instead of a longer, only slightly lower profile one in the Senate. If I were in her position, I'm not sure I'd want to do that.

[PBS Poll-435]

7. Maybe, just maybe

This isn't based on political calculation.

[Breeze54]

11. You're kidding, right?!

:wtf:

[PBS Poll-435]

21. You don't believe in "the fierce urgency of now"?

A call to service?

[Breeze54]

24. If you believe there is no political posturing, you're nuts!

:hi:

[PBS Poll-435]

26. I just don't believe that 100% or even 50% of this decision was based

on political expediency.

If she cared solely about "power" she would have stayed in the Senate and lobbied there for better committee assignments/Majority Leader/Majority Whip/etc.

[Breeze54]

30. political expediency? Looks like she's choosing a dead end, actually.

But there are ALWAYS political calculations involved.

[Lumpsum]

15. Or maybe, just maybe

She has an agenda she wants to get out there in the 2 years she'll probably last as SoS.

She better listen to EVERY word Obama says. If she decides to go with her own agenda she has the ability to not only fuck up the Obama presidency but her entire political career.

[leftstreet]

10. Maybe she just wants out?

:shrug:

I don't know.
You make good points though.

[rockymountaindem]

20. Hmmm... I just don't see that coming from either of the Clintons

She could have been in the Senate for a total of 20+ years if she'd wanted. Of course, the fact that she's passing that up is probably good evidence that she doesn't want that. But if we go from the position that politicians are motivated (at least in part) by power maximization, it looks like she's going for short-term maximization rather than long-term maximization. We'll see. I guess there's a lot to be said for being a former Sec. of State, but not as much as can be said for being a US Senator. If history is any guide, five years from now she'll be on a lot of Sunday morning talk shows but nowhere else.

That's why, as a Kerry fan myself, I'm happy that he's staying in the Senate. I'll be able to cheer him on for years and years. Besides, with Biden in the #2 spot, it's tough to say how much the Secretary of State will really be able to take a lead role in foreign policy.

[leftstreet]

34. Well, it was largely believed the Senate was just a springboard for POTUS

And now that's not looking likely.

Hard to say, but as you say We'll See!

[laugle]

28. I'm sure she weighed all her

options and felt she could handle the job, which will be extremely challenging, to put it mildly......

She will do a fine job for our new president and our country, I commend Obama for his choice!

[Lumpsum]

8. Welp, there's goes the Obama presidency.

It was fun while it lasted.

[cali]

14. lol. so much melodrama, so much time.

[Name removed]

19. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[JuniperLea]

35. Oh ye of little faith!

And even less sense.

:eyes:

[Lumpsum]

36. We'll see.

[LostinVA]

42. Who or what is "Hilldog"

[ruggerson]

43. It's a freeperism

in common usage here amongst the psychotic set.

[LostinVA]

45. I know -- I wanted the poster to TRY to wiggle out of it

[LostinVA]

44. I'm impressed with how you've managed to insult both Obama AND Hillart=y in one subthread

Way to go!

[Grateful for Hope]

17. I heard on NPR this evening

that a Clinton spokesperson (person was named) indicated that she has not announced vacating her senate seat (and that all rumors to the contrary are false). Apparently, this is not a done deal as yet.

[Jennicut]

18. Good, I am happy she accepted. Now can we all get on with our lives?

[Lars39]

25. She accepted, but was it formally offered?

And why isn't the Obama transition team itself announcing this? They've announced all the other appointments.

[ProSense]

29. Because it's the same rumor being rehashed

Mrs. Clinton’s spokesman, Philippe Reines, issued a statement Friday afternoon cautioning that the nomination was not final. “We’re still in discussions, which are very much on track,” Mr. Reines said. “Any reports beyond that are premature.”

link

[abumbyanyothername]

27. Yeah I'm sure the Iraq war never even came up in the discussions

between Obama and Clinton.

I mean when you are talking about two dunderheads like that, how could you possibly expect that they would manage to discuss the one single issue on which they diverged during the primaries would come up? Those two are complete idiots and it wouldn't even dawn on them to discuss the obvious.

That's why I am concerned too.

:sarcasm:

[Breeze54]

32. Who said they didn't discuss it? The fact that she voted FOR invasion should worry you and the

fact she hasn't backed off not supporting a timetable for withdrawal should also "concern" you.

She IS a HAWK!!

[riverwalker]

39. the world deserves better

Well mrs big dawg, we will be watching you. You think those 18 million votes buys you some kind of political capital that you, your ego, and fool of a husband are just dying to spend.
Remember, Barack Obama has 63.25 million votes, and he's the one we wanted.
You do one act of betrayal, even ONE little pin prick of a back stab (like you did Kerry), and you are out the door.
Funny how foriegn policy, peace and human rights had no interest for you you when you spent 8 years as the most powerful woman on earth. Now I am supposed to believe you have had an epiphany or something? I don't buy it, I don't like it, but it is HIS decision.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

46. Leave Hillary alone!!!

she will be fine! Actually, people around the world do like the Clintons. Not the Bushes.

[LostinVA]

52. The internationa response to her possibly being SOS has been very positive

[Rosa Luxemburg]

53. I hope she doesn't mind all the travelling

it gets tedious airport to airport!

[LostinVA]

48. You seriously have a problem

[jzodda]

47. She's gonna rock

The world loves her, shes a strong woman and Obama will be well served by her.

[Zuiderelle]

49. Congratulations Madame Secretary!!

:bounce:

I couldn't be happier.

[stillcool]

50. Again? My goodness but this...

dance is getting old.

[AtomicKitten]

51. "Will Clinton Fill the State Department with Loyalists?"

This appointment to that particular position, if it actually happens, makes me nauseous. I voted for Obama because I support his foreign policy and national security vision and reject her hawkish stance.

Will Clinton Fill State Dept. With Loyalists?
Foreign Policy World Fears Clinton Will Take Old Guard to Foggy Bottom
http://washingtonindependent.com/19654/clintons-team-at-state
By Spencer Ackerman 11/21/08

* snip *

“Foreign policy is probably where Clinton and Obama differ the most,” said the Democratic official. “They just have fundamentally different instincts. On the big decisions, Obama can and will certainly call the shots, but the consistency of follow-through could really be a problem. And the instincts on the smaller decisions will be very different. Cohesion of our foreign policy could suffer.”

* snip *

“State is already, like most agencies, riddled with Bush loyalists,” said a Democratic official with ties to the foreign-policy community. “If you add in a camp of Clinton loyalists, plus career staffers, none of whom are directly tied to Obama, I think it should be a serious concern to Obama. Clinton folks are known for their loyalty to the Clintons.”

* snip *

Some Obama loyalists pointed to a 2007 memo written by Harvard’s Samantha Power — a former leading Obama adviser who resigned from the campaign after making an untoward remark about Clinton — that summarized the Obama campaign’s ideological meta-critique of many of the people who might staff a Clinton-run State Dept. Titled “Conventional Wisdom vs. the Change We Need,” the campaign released Power’s memo to the press after the Clinton campaign labeled Obama naive for proposing negotiations with dictators without preconditions; for ruling out the use of nuclear weapons on terrorist training camps; and for proposing highly-conditioned military strikes in Pakistan against senior Al Qaeda operatives.

“It was Washington’s conventional wisdom that led us into the worst strategic blunder in the history of U.S. foreign policy,” writes Power, who declined to speak for this story. “The rush to invade Iraq was a position advocated by not only the Bush Administration, but also by editorial pages, the foreign policy establishment of both parties, and majorities in both houses of Congress. Those who opposed the war were often labeled weak, inexperienced and even naïve.”

Some in the Obama camp are left wondering whether picking Clinton as secretary of state represents an acquiescence to such conventional wisdom. “That memo was emblematic in many ways of the difference between the two groups,” said a Democratic foreign-policy expert and Obama loyalist. Asked about the ideological implications of the difference, the expert said, “The early Obama supporters were generally much more opposed to Iraq and you can draw out assumptions from there."

[Maru Kitteh]

56. Sucks for you.

But it's great for the country, and the world.

Obama is smarter than you. Be grateful.

[ruggerson]

57. 1rst rec

[RBInMaine]

58. BRILLIANT !! JUST BRILLIANT !! Further unites the party, and she has earned it !!