Wouldn't Secretary of Health and Human Services be more appropriate for Hillary?

[democrattotheend]

I know it's not as high profile, but health care is the issue she's most passionate about, and the most experience with. Her background in issues affecting women and children, including her time at the Children's Defense Fund, her legal work, and her experience as First Lady make her perfect for that role. I wonder why that is not being considered. I know it is less prestigious and not as high profile, but she said the other day she's not looking for the spotlight, she's looking to make a difference. So why doesn't Obama offer her HHS instead of State? I think she might be a good Secretary of State but HHS is perfect for her.

[Indiana_Dem]

1. I agree with you and your observations. nt

[Waiting For Everyman]

2. I agree too. n/t

[TexasObserver]

3. No. But HHS for Olympia Snowe sounds good.

[democrattotheend]

6. Nah, Snowe would be better for Commerce Secretary

Isn't small business one of her main areas of expertise? I am all for Republicans in the cabinet but HHS is a job for someone who's pretty progressive on healthcare and education...I don't want a Republican in that slot.

[TexasObserver]

10. Commerce is OK.

[karynnj]

16. She's been chair and Ranking member on Small Business

and she is on Commerce and Finance too. She and Kerry, who is also on those three committees, have introduced a lot of legislation together.

[Patsy Stone]

4. I've been thinking that myself.

I'm not sure they didn't discuss all possibilities, not just SoS.

[babylonsister]

7. For you, Patsy:

http://www.jedreport.com/2008/11/buzz-fizzle.html

Buzz Fizzle?

This is somewhat reassuring (NYT):

Advisers to the onetime rivals for the Democratic nomination confirmed Friday that President-elect Barack Obama had met with Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton on Thursday afternoon at Mr. Obama's transition office in Chicago and discussed the secretary of state job.

The prospect of Mrs. Clinton as secretary of state, perhaps the most prestigious cabinet position in any administration, sent people buzzing. But associates to both Democrats cautioned that their conversation included other cabinet possibilities and that no job was offered. Democrats said late Friday that Mr. Obama had also met with another oft-mentioned candidate for the post, Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico, to discuss the secretary of state job.

Still, the fact that Mr. Obama and Mrs. Clinton had even met to discuss such a possibility left even some of their closest advisers and allies talking about the pros and cons of so close a partnership, and about how it would be complicated by a third wheel: Mrs. Clinton's globe-trotting husband, former President Bill Clinton.

[Patsy Stone]

26. Thank you, ma'am!

At least I have some company in my suspicions.

:hi:

[DJ13]

5. She cant help her corporate buds from that position

In fact, just the opposite.

The next HHS head will likely have to take on the private insurers and big pharma.

If I actually thought she really wanted nationalized healthcare that position would be perfect for her.

But her last try at it was 16 years ago, and she never pushed for it after that.

[CTyankee]

8. Sorry, politically for a high profile woman it's a NO.

That job has been the "women's ghetto" and so is not desired by the top tier women candidates. Sorry if that sounds bad, but it just is as a reality.

State, Defense,DOJ. Those seem to be considered the really "important" jobs. Of course, they aren't, necessarily. HHS is hugely important, but not for HRC at this point in her career.

[dansolo]

9. Absolutely not

I don't care how passionate she is, she just isn't qualified. She has neither the experience nor the temperament for the job. I think that Howard Dean would be a perfect choice. He is a doctor, and he has already delt with implementing healthcare policies as Governor of Vermont.

[democrattotheend]

11. I read that he's not being seriously considered

Because Obama wants someone with relationships in Congress who can help get a healthcare plan through. That's one of the reasons I think Hillary would be perfect for it. I like Dean for Surgeon General though.

[cali]

23. as others have noted, she wouldn't be offered it, as it's a second tier position

and furthermore, although Dean is qualified for HHS, he is NOT qualified for SG. People here seem to not have a clue about that.

[Cleita]

12. If we want Obama to consider Howard Dean as his best choice,

I think it's going to take a letter writing campaign from many to convince him. Dr. Dean would be the best because he has dealt with this issue as Governor of Vermont. His handle on public health care issues is what got him in the public eye to begin with and that led to him running for President. Even though Obama doesn't want him now, I think we need to change his mind.

[democrattotheend]

14. I read that Obama wants someone with Congressional experience and contacts

To make it easier to lobby Congress to pass his health care plan. So Dean would not be good from that perspective. But what about Surgeon General for Dean?

[Cleita]

17. Wouldn't Dean have gotten Congressional contacts through his

position on the DNC?

[Skittles]

13. LOL

:rofl:

[Beacool]

19. She's not qualified??????

:rofl:

[Radical Activist]

21. She's more qualified for SOS.

She has experience with diplomacy. I'm not sure what her experience for HHS is other than fighting for healthcare in '93 and then doing nothing about it for the next ten years.

[democrattotheend]

28. How is she not qualified?

She has years of experience working on health care.

[book_worm]

15. I'll support Obama's decision about where to put people

they were smarter than any of us during the primaries and general election when many people here were panicking or offering the usual silly advice. Obama is a pretty smart person and knows what he's doing.

[Beacool]

18. It's a second tier post.

Why would she leave the senate for that?

x(

[Radical Activist]

20. No. She has too much experience for that position.

She would have no reason to give up her Senate seat for it.

[AtomicKitten]

22. Howard Dean is interested in HHS.

Clinton tried big-footing her way into taking the helm of healthcare recently, and Kennedy advised her he wasn't dead yet and had every intention of continuing to lead on that issue.

She needs to find a niche without stepping on toes. Nobody is entitled to step on toes.

[Lyric]

25. Nobody is entitled to stick their toes out so far that anybody who wants to move

ends up stepping on them, either.

I don't necessarily disagree that Kennedy deserves to lead on this, but your "entitled" comment was just ludicrous. No public servant is "entitled" to ANYTHING policy-related--and that includes Kennedy. What we give out of respect and admiration is not an entitlement.

[AtomicKitten]

27. "Nobody is entitled to step on toes. "

That's my comment on "entitled" and it's far from ludicrous. Ted Kennedy has seniority which is precisely why Clinton's overtures to squeeze him out were quickly and rightfully rebuffed.

Her lack of respect for her colleagues vis a vis seniority mirrors the same sense of entitlement people here exhibit on behalf of the Clintons. That some feel she should be rewarded for the dismally inept campaign she ran is what is ludicrous.

[political_Dem]

24. No. Howard Dean would be wonderful for HHS.

Hillary deserves to serve out her term where she was elected in the first place.