Clinton endorses Clinton as Barack Obama's secretary of state

It may come as a huge surprise for everyone that ex-President Bill Clinton thinks that ex-First Lady Hillary Clinton would be a "really great" secretary of state in the new administration.

His reaction comes amid unsourced reports that President-elect Barack Obama is considering his former Democratic primary rival for the post of chief U.S. diplomat. She's said she just wants to be the best possible New York senator, which is what you're supposed to say until accepting the next job.

She's been noncommittal herself about the State Department assignment, but added coyly that she wants to do everything to ensure the Obama administration is a success.

H. Clinton would bring instant overseas name recognition to the post and being in the cabinet would foreclose any public second-guessing from the peanut gallery on Capitol Hill.

With a Democrat in Albany as New York governor ready to appoint a Democrat replacement, a sudden Senate vacancy there would not threaten the party's newly enlarged majority in Washington.

And having his wife as secretary of state wouldn't exactly hinder B. Clinton's access to officials and potential donors overseas either. Not that that would ever cross anyone's mind.

Obama came under some fairly strong intra-party criticism last ...

... summer for his transparently insincere talk about considering Clinton as his Democratic running mate. He was quoted admitting to one Clinton sympathizer his concern about "complications" with Hillary. That complication was spelled B-i-l-l.

How many ex-presidents does it take to change a White House lightbulb?

So especially after the New York senator genuinely worked so hard for his election all fall (despite tepid Obama help retiring her campaign debts, as promised), it is in Obama's longterm interests to provide at least the seemingly sincere consideration now of including her in this century's first Democratic cabinet.

Obama and Clinton met secretly in Chicago last Friday. Monday word leaked that there could be "complications" about the financing of Hillary's husband's global initiative.

B. Clinton has not gotten around to disclosing what foreign companies, individuals, maybe even governments have contributed to his good work and could create a potential conflict if his wife was the top American diplomat.

Now comes word that ex-ambassador, current governor, lifelong Latino Bill Richardson is also in the running for State. Obama owes Richardson big-time for his perfectly timed endorsement during the primary season, rejecting entreaties to at least remain neutral during friendly Super Bowl snacking with the president who gave him so many plum jobs.

Of course, the question hangs in the air, with a Clinton or Clinton people as Obama's head of transition, economic advisors, labor advisors, defense advisors, chief of staff, legal counsel, potential secretary of Treasury and State and who knows what else, is this the change from a Bush III administration or a change to a Clinton III administration?

-- Andrew Malcolm

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Photo credit: Associated Press

Comments

[sherry]

What America needs is to become energy independent.Iran just asked OPEC to reduce production by yet another 1.5 million barrels per day.This past year and the record gas prices played a huge part in our economic meltdown and seriously damaged our society.We keep planning to spend BILLIONS on bailouts and stimulus plans.Bail us out of our dependence on foreign oil. Make electric plug in car technology more affordable. It cost the equivalent of 60 cents a gallon to drive an electric plug in car. The electric could be generated from wind or solar. Get with it! Utilize free sources such as wind and solar. Stop throwing away money on things that don't work. Invest in America and it's energy independence. Create cheap clean energy, create millions of badly needed green collar jobs. Put America back to work. It is a win-win situation. We have to become more poractive citizens, educate ourselves and demand our elected officials move this country forward into the era of energy independence. Jeff Wilson's new book The Manhattan Project of 2009 Energy Independence NOW outlines a plan for America to wean itself off oil. We need a plan and we need it now!

[Egojen]

Remember the primaries, anyone? When it was clear to everyone that Hillary was out, but she insisted she still had a chance?
That conduct proves that she is guided by wishful thinking and pure emotions. Bad qualities in times where there is a dire need for realistic foreign policies. It could not only become expensive but mean disaster.
Judge people according to their conduct, not their promises or your likings. (Plus: A shopping spree in France isn't exactly the "foreign experience" that is called for when it comes to foreign politics).

[jimmyjazz]

Being a US Senator for NY is powerful enough but this would be an even bigger step up. I hope for Bill's sake that his business dealings don't screw this up for her. He's already caused her enough problems with his beyond embarrassing activities in the Oval Office involving a certain blue dress. If his dealings screw this up for her....I'd sleep with one eye open if I were him.

[SELLINE ATIENO OWINO]

Its best for President Barack Obama to give Hillary Rodham Clition a big post of Secretary of the State> I support that with my high hope. May God bless each other.

Selline Atieno Owino

[SELLINE ATIENO OWINO]

My comment is to congratulate all family of Hillary for working very hard for Barrack Obama to win the election. We need that good heart that those people have. Now its time for Demoratic party to rule the country. But don't forget Hillary. We need change.

Selline

[CAB]

Is a return to the Clinton administration such a bad thing? 8 years of economic expansion and a budget surplus,. How I long for the day when our biggest problem was a blow job in the White House.

[Robert]

Before Hillary Clinton can become Secretary of State:

1) Bill Clinton must provide a complete listing of all donors to his foundation and presidential library.
2) Both Bill and Hillary Clinton need to clearly indicate that any and all private financial dealings and other interactions with foreign leaders is now over, unless specifically authorized by the US government.
3) Hillary Clinton needs to publically discuss exactly what her approach to the job of Secretary of State would be and clearly indicate how she would be able to perform that job without any conflict of interest whatsoever.

If the Clintons are unwilling or unable to comply with the above requirements Hillary Clinton should not become Secretary of State.

[Al]

Congratulations to the former First Lady should she become the next US Secretary of State. Bravo!

[Jimmie McThomas]

Can't we all just get along, I mean Hillary was a worthy opponent to our Big man B.H.O. let here share in the glory you know they always say two heads are better than one....

[JON]

Hillary Clinton would be the best choice for the job. I can't imagine throwing the idea out there and not following through with it, but then again Obama might need more of everyone's patience as he works through this.