George's Bottom Line

Reporting and analysis from ABC News Chief Washington Correspondent and "This Week" Host George Stephanopoulos

George Stephanopoulos reports on events in politics, Congress and the White House for ABCNews, on the air and online. He interviews top newsmakers, discusses the events of the week and looks to the week ahead each Sunday on 'This Week.'

July 2009
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
26 27 28 29 30 31

« Previous | Main | Next »

Schwarzenegger: Clinton 'Could Be Great Move' for Obama Cabinet

November 14, 2008 7:03 PM

Last week I reported that Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., was in the running to become Obama's secretary of state. Today we learned that the President-elect and his former rival met privately yesterday to discuss the position.

This afternoon I asked California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger what he thought of a possible Secretary Clinton. "I think she is a very very bright woman and very experienced. I think this could be a great move."

But he also said that it's equally important for the president to have a good working relationship with all the members of his cabinet.

"When it comes to those kinds of positions, what is equally as important, and I know with my cabinet, what is equally as important as who is qualified, is who can you work with. Who can you sit down with and really get in there and start becoming a partner [with], that sees things the way you see it," he said.

"And also that you maybe want to learn from that person and admire that person so much that you want to pick up some pointers and learn from that person, so that they together can go out and do this."

Now that you've heard the Governor's take, what do you think of Clinton for secretary of state?

--George Stephanopoulos

November 14, 2008 in This Week with George Stephanopoulos | Permalink | Share | User Comments (108)

User Comments

Feed You can follow this conversation by subscribing to the comment feed for this post.

Awesome!

Posted by: Ann | Nov 14, 2008 7:11:15 PM

This is great!

Posted by: junior | Nov 14, 2008 7:13:10 PM

I think you are cooking things up, George.

Leave Hillary alone. She is perfectly fine being a Senator, for now.

Posted by: Coke2 | Nov 14, 2008 7:19:52 PM

I hope that she ACCEPT!!!!

WE NEED ALL THE INTELLECTURAL HELP TO STRAIGHTEN OUT THE WAR CRAZY, FAILED ECONOMIC REPUBLICAN PRESIDENT POLICIES!!!!

HELL, GIVE BILL A JOB TOO!!!!

Posted by: sisterdearest09 | Nov 14, 2008 7:31:38 PM

If Hillary accepts this job, she won't be able to run for POTUS in 2012.

Posted by: jen | Nov 14, 2008 7:36:24 PM

Could be a GOOD match Hillary vs. Sarah

Posted by: jen | Nov 14, 2008 7:37:08 PM

Change We Can Believe In. Hillary Clinton no. If we had wanted her to be president we would have voted for her. It is inconceivable that he would even consider her for Secy. of State. Hillary is for Hillary and he would get Bill to. Boy, what a mess. Surely, he has more sense than that, but what does he believe in. If he wants change, Hillary is not it. Can anyone even believe he would consider her??

Posted by: Janice | Nov 14, 2008 7:39:39 PM

Change We Can Believe In. Hillary Clinton no. If we had wanted her to be president we would have voted for her. It is inconceivable that he would even consider her for Secy. of State. Hillary is for Hillary and he would get Bill to. Boy, what a mess. Surely, he has more sense than that, but what does he believe in. If he wants change, Hillary is not it. Can anyone even believe he would consider her??

Posted by: Janice | Nov 14, 2008 7:39:39 PM

Obama started the campaing with "Change We Can Believe In"

Now, I see what he lined up for his cabinet. There is NO change! Just SAME OLD SAME OLD.

What happens to change? I want to see some fresh faces!

Posted by: jen | Nov 14, 2008 7:44:30 PM

Obama could present a powerful form of change if he were to appoint the very best people for Cabinet roles, rather than purely rewarding political loyalty. If Clinton is willing to focus on the President's goals for America, and Obama wants her in the role, she should be appointed. Likewise with Bob Gates, and maybe even Schwarzenegger in a position to promote alternative energy.

Obama previously promised to look at intellect and ability, rather than ideology (a HUGE change from Bush), when appointing his team. These selections would demonstrate that the best way forward is to put America's finest leaders to work on these massive issues.

Posted by: Kan Da Shan | Nov 14, 2008 10:09:26 PM

Clinton for Sec of State? NO NO NO
RICHARDSON OR KERRY IS A BETTER CHOICE.

CLINTON WUD BE BTR FOR HEALTH OR EDUCATION..

Posted by: diane | Nov 15, 2008 11:57:48 AM

Regarding Hilary for Sec. of State: Candidates should be selected on qualifications not political moves. I don't think Hilary's strenghts lie in the Sec. of State position. Poor choice.

Posted by: Camille Anderson | Nov 15, 2008 12:23:34 PM

put hillary in prison where she belongs not in the white house

Posted by: RAMBOW99 | Nov 15, 2008 12:43:49 PM

Selection of Senator Hilary Clinton for Secretary of State, as qualified she is for the position, serves more domestic popular politics than being serious about tackling the current complicated international scene. Condoleeza Rice has served current administration well, and is well suited to serve the next. But it is natural the new administration wishes to signal changes by selecting a new Secretary of State. The US has qualified leaders for this position if they are willing to step forward, which they now should! A Secretary of State does not necessarily have to be a politician.

Posted by: Chris | Nov 15, 2008 12:44:52 PM

I think that it is both an intelligent move as well as the RIGHT move!
Right because she has the experience including that of a meeting and greeting heads of State during the Billy C tenure in the White House.
Intelligent because this confirms his ideologies: surrounding himself with the best the country has to offer.

Posted by: Rodney Wicks | Nov 15, 2008 12:54:11 PM

I think anything to do involving the Clintons would be a mistake. haven't they already proven that they are the wrong people to be in any political position in the US? I say no to Hillary now and always.

Posted by: Charles | Nov 15, 2008 1:13:29 PM

HIllary would be the best we ever had, but we need her in the senate, then our next president.

Posted by: charles risner | Nov 15, 2008 2:00:13 PM

bad, bad idea. we need change not clintons, we need new faces. she supported war! she .... - no way, no.

Posted by: mmmk | Nov 15, 2008 2:54:00 PM

Hillary has zero foreign policy experience and I think this is a horrible choice that will reflect badly on Obama's judgment. Not to mention the DRAMA that always comes with the Clintons.

If he chooses her, next election I absolutely will NOT VOTE FOR HIM - NOT IN A MILLION YEARS.

I am not in the mood for the egos of the Clintons and any more interns etc. Obama has enough Clinton people right now . Soon it will be HRC is the PRESIDENT and Obama will have to beg her for a job.

Posted by: SF13 | Nov 15, 2008 3:01:42 PM

I think she would be a good choice for Sec of State but we might be better served if she stayed in the Senate working on health care. But I heard Kennedy is leaving no room for her in health care so I think she should have Sec.

Posted by: Ver | Nov 15, 2008 3:02:56 PM

Hillary has zero foreign policy experience and I think this is a horrible choice that will reflect badly on Obama's judgment. Not to mention the DRAMA that always comes with the Clintons.

If he chooses her, next election I absolutely will NOT VOTE FOR HIM - NOT IN A MILLION YEARS.

I am not in the mood for the egos of the Clintons and any more interns etc. Obama has enough Clinton people right now . Soon it will be HRC is the PRESIDENT and Obama will have to beg her for a job.

Posted by: SF13 | Nov 15, 2008 3:04:47 PM

You Clintonites are nuts! As if anybody cares what the Ahnold has to say or George Stephanopoulos for that matter. When Obama said change, nobody mean back to 1990. The Clintons need to get off the stage and join the history books where they belong. The Clinton legacy is done, and it includes NAFTA, welfare reform for babies but not corporations, media consolidation, don't ask/don't tell, and precious time wasted for a lousy bj.

Posted by: oakland | Nov 15, 2008 3:05:31 PM

I nominate William Cohen!!!

Posted by: win | Nov 15, 2008 3:06:01 PM

I don't think it is wise to give this job to a politician. The position would be better served by a professional who does not have an hidden agenda and too much ego. The country needs someone who can analyze the world situation and advise the President.
Politicians have egos and their own agenda. The greatest secretaries of State that this country knew were professionals.

Posted by: papite | Nov 15, 2008 3:11:30 PM

I trust Obama's judgement ALOT more than all you who are questioning his POSSIBLE choice for secretary of state. I am sure he will pick the person HE thinks is best qualified.

Posted by: Elise | Nov 15, 2008 3:13:04 PM

Post a comment