Sec. of State Clinton

[sophist]

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/11/21/clinton-to-accept-secretary-of-state-job/?hp

Hillary Rodham Clinton has decided to give up her Senate seat and accept the position of secretary of state, making her the public face around the world for the administration of the man who beat her for the Democratic presidential nomination, two confidants said Friday.
Mrs. Clinton came to her decision after additional discussion with President-elect Barack Obama about the nature of her role and his plans for foreign policy, said one of the confidants, who insisted on anonymity to discuss the situation. Mr. Obama's office told reporters Thursday that the nomination is "on track" but Clinton associates only confirmed Friday afternoon that she has decided.

"She's ready," said the confidant. Mrs. Clinton was reassured after talking again with Mr. Obama because their first meeting in Chicago last week "was so general," the confidant said. The purpose of the follow-up talk, he added, was not to extract particular concessions but "just getting comfortable" with the idea of working together.

A second Clinton associate confirmed that her camp believes they have a done deal. Senior Obama advisers said Friday morning that the offer had not been formally accepted and no announcement will be made until after Thanksgiving. But they said they were convinced that the nascent alliance was now ready to be sealed.

The apparent accord between perhaps the two leading figures in the Democratic Party climaxed a week-long drama that riveted the nation's capital. Mr. Obama and Mrs. Clinton fought the most competitive Democratic nomination battle in modern times, one that polarized their party for months and left bitterness in both camps. But in asking Mrs. Clinton to join his Cabinet, Mr. Obama signaled that he wants to turn a rival into a partner and she concluded that she could have the most influence by saying yes.

The decision followed days of intense vetting and negotiations intended to clear any potential obstacles to her taking the job due to her husband's global business and philanthropic activities. Lawyers for Mr. Obama and former President Bill Clinton combed through his finances and crafted a set of guidelines for his future activities intended to avoid any appearances of conflict of interest should she take the job.

People close to the vetting said Mr. Clinton turned over the names of 208,000 donors to his foundation and library and agreed to all of the conditions requested by Mr. Obama's transition team, including restrictions on his future paid speeches and role at his international foundation.

As secretary of state, Mrs. Clinton will have had a powerful platform to travel the world and help repair relations with other countries strained after eight years of President Bush's policies. But at the same time, she will now have to subordinate her own agenda and ambitions to Mr. Obama's and sacrifice the independence that comes with a Senate seat and the 18 million votes she collected during their arduous primary battle.

[rowjimmy]

NYTimes reported it first...
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/22/us/politics/22obama.html

[sophist]

NYTimes reported it first...
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/22/us/politics/22obama.html

My link is to the NYT, its juts a day old. 

[jedifunk]

nothings "official" yet. :roll:

[mattstick]

Traister @ Salon:


Friday, Nov. 21, 2008 12:07 PST
Secretary of Awesome

There is a long and undoubtedly fraught road ahead, around the world and within the new administration. But, for just a second, we'd like to focus for a minute on exactly what a mind-blowing, conversation-changing, fuse-blowing, frustrating and gratifying year it's been for voters, for Democrats, for women, and for Clinton and her supporters. While there may be lots and lots (and lots and lots) of critiques of Hillary Clinton's appointment as Secretary of State, and of Clinton's acceptance of it, we here at Broadsheet would like to give a mighty tip of our collective hat and raise a glass to the notion of coming together. Here's to you, Barack Obama, and to Senator Clinton: Cheers, lady!

[And a giant grin spreads over the faces of the Broadsheet staff.]

One of the painful things about this thrilling election was the way that long-excluded groups, suddenly granted a chance for a seat at the presidential table, had to battle each other for it, often bitterly. Very little could make us happier, or this country healthier, than Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton working hand-in-hand to move us forward, toward a future  where people who want to work together, rather than against each other, might not have to compete for whatever crumbs are thrown at them.

Below, enjoy an overwrought but nifty piece of propaganda that became one of our favorite video tributes to the wacky ride that was the Hillary Clinton presidential candidacy, as well as a useful compendium of some of the more startling moments of the past few years. Behold the force of nature -- and the forces that have worked against -- the United States of America's future Secretary of Awesome.

[Guyute]

Great choice.  She is well respected around the world, intelligent, well spoken, self-assured.  They will make a great team.

[sls.stormyrider]

agreed.
if we can only get rid of Bill
:wink: