Why Hillary is accepting SoS

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

SoS is not just a compartmentalized set of tasks carried out in Foggy Bottom. It is a key advisory position.

SoS puts you in the room.

If she has something to say about health care, stimulus packages, entitlements or anything else she will be in the room.

Nobody will say, "Shut up, you! You're only allowed to comment on foreign affairs."

Nobody has to listen to her, but the first step to having influence is to be in the room. The SoS has the President's ear.

By accepting SoS she will have more opportunity for input (accepted or rejected) on key decisions that will be made in the Obama presidency than she could EVER have in the Senate.

As someone who wants to make a difference she'd be nuts not to take the job.

I believe that Obama would have been roughly as happy with Hillary as VP and Biden as SoS with one key difference: The president cannot fire the VP.

[ruggerson]

1. the other key difference

is the Veep doesn't have a portfolio, while the SOS does. The Veep is pretty much whatever the Prez wants him/her to be. It's a make it up as you go along position.

[Berry Cool]

2. More so for some than for others *cough cough*

A' course, Sarah Palin says it gives you the chance to really get in dere wi' th' Senate and do some real good lawmakin' also, to be all about helpin' the American people in this great country of ours.

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

5. Agreed. But I always think of Clark Clifford in this context.

Clifford had roughly the same influence on Johnson as a private citizen as he did as Sec Def, and could have been Sec State or Attorney General or White House doorman and had the same impact. LBJ was going to seek his advice on everything no matter where he was.

Conversely, some SoSs can barely get a meeting while the VP or Natl Security Advisor runs the show.

The president will listen to who he wants to listen to.

But if you're not in the room you can't demonstrate your indispensability.

[davidpdx]

7. Good point

While VP may be more prestigious, SoS has actual teeth to the position.

[NorCalDem]

3. Your last statement is spot on.

Nice observation!

[Lumpsum]

4. Still doesn't explain why Obama is hiring her.

When Kerry would have been the right choice.

[IndianaJones]

6. bwaaahahaha. nt.