Aide: Obama on track to nominate Clinton (as secretary of state)

[grantdevine]

Source: AP

WASHINGTON (AP) _ President-elect Barack Obama is on track to nominate Hillary Rodham Clinton as secretary of state after Thanksgiving, an aide to his transition said Thursday.

One week after the former primary rivals met secretly to discuss the idea of Clinton becoming the nation's top diplomat, the two sides were moving quickly toward making it a reality, barring any unforeseen problems.

Read more: http://www.dailyitem.com/0106_2008/local_story_32523082...

[xchrom]

1. recommend

[peace13]

2. Why are aides speaking.

I will wait for Obama. I wish he would speak out and say that when we hear from him then it is news. Ya gotta wonder. Not picking a fight.

[grantdevine]

3. I think often aides are used to get the news out there so when the leader announces it it's not

as big a surprise.

Takes the edge off.

[wisteria]

8. Nothing will take the edge off of this and if she is such a wonderful choice why do we need to be

forwarned?

[tavalon]

39. Because that's their job, to float test balloons and soften the media

Nothing would be getting out without the approval of the Obama team. This is a different ballgame from the campaign but we know from the campaign that they ran a tight ship and I'm quite sure they still do. All leaks have a purpose, otherwise there would be no leak.

[grantdevine]

4. CNN: THREE aides are saying this:

(CNN) -- President-elect Obama is on track to nominate Sen. Hillary Clinton as his secretary of state after Thanksgiving, three aides on Obama's transition team told CNN Thursday.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/11/20/transition.wrap/...

Looks like a done deal.

[Iwillnevergiveup]

5. Well, if that is the case

wouldn't Richardson have made a better HHS Secretary than Daschle?

[wisteria]

9. Obama screwed Richardson and Kerry - two of the more qualified people.

Seems he wants a shadow Clinton cabinet.

[Divine Discontent]

17. hmmmm...

well this isn't what I hoped for, but it's not that shocking, well, not TOO shocking. She seems detached from Bill enough for me. She just behaved so badly during the primary that I don't really trust her - but President-elect Obama must or he wouldn't offer the spot. Hope it all works out great for America!!

[Bake]

41. Uh ... we need Kerry in the Senate.

Even if he is the "junior" Senator from Massachusetts. He is a strong leader in the Senate, and we need him there. Or would you rather have 56 Harry Reids?

Bake

[salguine]

6. Oh Jesus fucking Christ NOOOOO.

[wisteria]

10. Obviously, Obama doesn't care what we think.

Do you think he owes this to someone? He seems more than determined to get her even if many, many people think it is a bad choice.

[cobalt1999]

34. Many of us think it is a great idea.

Many, many people think it is a great choice.

[Cosmic Charlie]

43. but they think that because they love Hillary, not because she is a skilled Diplomat

[wisteria]

7. Awful news. I hope it he doesn't anounce it and ruin my long weekend.

This will make me sick.

[grantdevine]

11. Why are you so against having Clinton in this position? I am genuinely interestred.

Thx.

[salguine]

12. 1) There are any number of people who are eminently more qualified.

2) With Hillary, you get Bill. And I've got too damn bad of a case of Clinton fatigue.

3) She said things during the primaries that were despicable. (Obama's not a Muslim "as far as she knows"...Playing the race card, etc.)

4) The whole dodging-sniper-fire story. That someone in her position could, with a straight face and with apparently no sense of shame whatsoever, could spin a whopper so easily refuted and so demonstrably false, especially when there was absolutely no need to do it, just leaves me speechless.

5) See reason 1.

[grantdevine]

13. Weak. And sexist. n/t

[salguine]

14. Okay, that made me blow my tea out of my nose. I, for one, don't think

any of those reasons are weak. And I REALLY want to hear you explain how any of them are sexist.

[grantdevine]

45. "With Hillary, you get Bill". That is sexist.

If Hillary is the SoS, then Hillary is doing the job, not her husband.

The implication you're making is that a woman in a job will have to bow down to her husband, giving her husband influence.

[Zhade]

24. Nothing sexist in there. Nice try at playing the victim card, but it failed.

NT!

[AndrewJacksonFaction]

28. Did you forget your sarcasm emoticon?

?

[Cosmic Charlie]

44. Name 1 negotiation that Hillary has ever conducted. Just 1.

[tavalon]

40. With HRC as the VP, you got Bill in a way that would have been very detrimental

The team of HRC and Big Dog as SOS is a winner.

[Zhade]

15. We don't need ANYONE in that position who fell for the WMD lies.

NT!

[Divine Discontent]

18. bbbbut but....

Condi gave her word!

[leftynyc]

29. So I take it you're not a

big fan of our Vice President Elect or John Kerry.

[Truth Teller]

35. Would it bother you

If the veep or Senate Foreign Relations Committee chair fell for those?

[blm]

38. For starters, name ONE serious foreign policy issue she led on or led opposition to Bush

as senator. Surely there have been many serious issues to oppose Bush the last 8yrs, eh?

[pecwae]

32. OMG! I'm sure he wouldn't

do any such thing as to ruin your long weekend. He'll wait till Monday just for you.

[peace13]

37. You think like I do.

Where did all of this drama come from? I do not want my Thanksgiving weekend *ucked up with this! I am quite certain that the people I worked like a dog with to get Obama elected feel the same way! I want an ethical person as SOS. Someone who has not lied us into war. Someone who did not lie about our troops in Bosnia. Someone who did not dishonor Obama over and over in the campaign. Wonder if she will include 'as far as I know he's a Christian' in her acceptance speech. However it turns out, have a nice Thanksgiving. It is the best holiday. peace, Kim

[Divine Discontent]

16. aides have big mouths when they're bragging about wha they know over some Sushi on their cell phones

just sayin'

[tavalon]

42. Bull, they were told to float it

It's their job.

[lamp_shade]

19. Aide? What... barber? groundskeeper? next door neighbor?

The media decides who is a "reliable source". Jeezum.

[DFW]

20. If it happens, it's not the end of the world

Frankly, I didn't see it happening if the deal wasn't done right away. But I
could be dead wrong, too. It wouldn't be the first time.

I would rather have seen Hillary as Senate majority leader, zapping health care
reform through the Senate, working closely with Obama to make it happen faster
than anyone else could, but if the both of them see it differently, it's not
for me to say I knew better. I had other preferences, but I'm not worried that
Hillary would do a bad job, and there are plenty of qualified NY Democrats who
could do a credible job as her replacement in the Senate.

[jeff30997]

21. Why am I not surprised ?

After the primaries she was cheerleading so hard for Obama that I wondered if they struck a deal.

Now I have my answer.

[FlaGranny]

22. The main reason

I believe Obama would want Clinton for SOS is her tenaciousness. At least everyone can agree to that. Another thing about her is that I can't remember her breaking her word. I could be wrong, but I don't remember her doing that. Now, if Clinton gives Obama her word that she will carry out HIS policies, I believe she would be an excellent choice for the job. I don't personally much like some of the things she has said and done and I wouldn't want to deal with her, but obviously Obama is a better person than I am.

[Zhade]

25. She's just an unrepentant liar, is all.

Tuzla.

Repeatedly.

[Gullvann]

31. So she is a politician then...

[OKNancy]

23. kick

[onehandle]

26. Obama plans to nominate Clinton for top diplomat (Offer confirmed by Obama Adviser)

Source: AP

WASHINGTON – President-elect Barack Obama plans to nominate Hillary Rodham Clinton as secretary of state after Thanksgiving, a new milestone for the former first lady and a convergence of two political forces who fought hard for the presidency.

One week after the former primary rivals met secretly to discuss the idea of Clinton becoming the nation's top diplomat, an Obama adviser said Thursday that the two sides were moving quickly toward making it a reality, barring any unforeseen problems.

Obama is convinced the advantages of Clinton serving far outweighed potential downsides, the adviser said.

Transition aides said the two camps have worked out financial disclosure issues involving Clinton's husband, former President Bill Clinton, and the complicated international funding of his foundation that operates in more than 40 countries. The aides said Obama and Hillary Clinton have had substantive conversations about the secretary of state job.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081121/ap_on_go_pr_wh/obam...

[AndrewJacksonFaction]

27. I just don't like it.

Can someone explain why Hillary was a better pick than Richardson?

[Evergreen Emerald]

30. Richardson is weak and ineffective.

Clinton is a tough courageous diplomat who will contribute to a well-rounded cabinet.

[LostinVA]

33. I don't understand all this cheerleadering for Richardson as SOS

And, I'm saying this as someone who prefers Hillary to stay in the Senate until she (hopefully) gets a judgeship.

This is a position where not only intelligence, etc. is needed. You have to have figurative "balls," which is what all of the best SOSs in US history have had, even when they don't have literal ones. I don't think Richardson has enough of that certain quality. I do, however, think he should be involved in policy-making is some way. He's a great mind.

[ohio2007]

47. what makes you think he is talking about 'Hillary' when they say "Clinton"

They come as a matching china cabnet set don't they ?







still, the more things change.....


I'm sure this puppet theater cartoon doesn't really irk many.


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/20...

[kpete]

36. Clinton Set to Be Nominated as Secretary of State

Source: Bloomberg

Clinton Set to Be Nominated as Secretary of State

By Kim Chipman and Julianna Goldman
More Photos/Details

Nov. 21 (Bloomberg) -- Senator Hillary Clinton is likely to be nominated for secretary of state after the Nov. 27 U.S. Thanksgiving holiday, according to an aide to President-elect Barack Obama.

Potential hurdles related to the financial disclosures of Clinton's husband, former President Bill Clinton, have been worked out, said the aide, who asked not to be named. Clinton herself has indicated some hesitancy in accepting the position, according to news reports.

She has been wrestling with whether to abandon her independence to become the nation's top diplomat or remain in the Senate where a lack of seniority limits her influence, the New York Times reported yesterday.

The appointment, should the New York Democrat accept the post, would make her Obama's highest-ranking Cabinet official. Backers say the popularity of both Hillary and Bill Clinton overseas would be a boon to the U.S.'s global reputation.

Read more: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=au6...

[ohio2007]

46. ...and this is change ? nt