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Secretary of State Hillary Clinton?

November 14, 2008 12:58 PM

There's a lot of buzz in DC about the fact that the Obama Transition Team is, according to one knowledgeable source, "very serious" about Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., being under consideration for secretary of state.

ABC News can confirm that President-elect Barack Obama met with Clinton Thursday afternoon at Obama’s downtown office in Chicago.

The AP first broke the news and reported that the motorcade of Clinton, who receives Secret Service protection as a former first lady, was seen leaving the office complex shortly before Obama left for the day.

George Stephanopoulos reported Clinton's name being in the mix last week on "Good Morning America," but the buzz grew louder after Clinton was spotted boarding a flight to Chicago.

Her spokesman Philippe Reines would not discuss Clinton's schedule, and of course, the Obama Transition Team would not comment.

The thinking about a Secretary of State Clinton is simple, I'm told: she's smart, she's strong, she's experienced, she's a team player, she is usually pretty diplomatic, and she also brings some gender diversity to an Obama Team concerned about such matters.

She brings instant stature to the job, one Democrat told me. Many world leaders have known her for almost two decades.

"Clinton is the gold standard around the world," said Chris Lehane, a former spokesman for Vice President Al Gore.

There are drawbacks, of course. Her husband Bill Clinton's vast and varied international business dealings and relationships, which have put him at odds with her policy positions.

And of course, she and Obama famously and repeatedly clashed over international issues during their contentious primaries. She assailed as "naive" his willingness to speak to the leaders of hostile regimes without preconditions, and she assailed as reckless his public discussions about his willingness to attack high-value terrorist targets in Pakistan with or without Pakistan government permission.

Obama "basically threatened to bomb Pakistan, which I don't think was a particularly wise position to take," Clinton said at the Democratic debate in Cleveland, Ohio, Feb. 26.

Most ugly, probably was the Tuzla sniper fire incident. Clinton erroneously claimed about a trip to Tuzla, Bosnia: "I remember landing under sniper fire. There was supposed to be some kind of a greeting ceremony at the airport, but instead, we just ran with our heads down to get into the vehicles to get to our base."

That was later proven false, and Clinton acknowledged "misspeaking."

Countered the Obama campaign's Tommy Vietor: "Senator Clinton said that a planned welcoming ceremony was cancelled because they needed to avoid sniper fire, but news footage shows that she was met by a small child who read her a poem. Contrary to the latest spin from the Clinton campaign, when you make a false claim that's in your prepared remarks, it's not misspeaking, it's misleading, and it's part of a troubling pattern of Senator Clinton inflating her foreign policy experience."

Ouch. Harsh words for one's Secretary of State.

But no doubt that's water under the bridge. In Boca Raton in May, Obama -- asked by a vote if he would consider putting Clinton on the ticket -- said, "I'm a practical-minded guy. And, you know, one of my heroes is Abraham Lincoln. And a while back there was a wonderful book written by Doris Kearns Goodwin called 'Team of Rivals.'"

The book, Obama said, discussed how "Lincoln basically pulled in all the people who had been running against him into his Cabinet because whatever personal feelings there were, the issue was how can we get this country through this time of crisis. And I think that has to be the approach that one takes, whether it's vice president or Cabinet, whoever."

Clinton spoke at a New York State Mass Transit Fall Convention today, but declined to comment on her meeting with Obama.

-- Jake Tapper and Sunlen Miller

November 14, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (427)

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Hillary representing me w/ all the countries of the world. NO!!!!!!!!!!!! She's a corrupt and polarizing B@#&$(@*#&(&%!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Jean | Nov 22, 2008 7:01:29 AM

The only way to see clearly is to do your own research. The media is twisted and full of misinformation from both sides. The second you start to rely on some talk show host, be it lib or con, you are still letting someone else make your decisions. It's convenient though because you don't have to use your brain. Then you can repeat what you heard, but don't completely understand, like an expert. We aren't going to become communists or socialists. Though there are some good aspects to those concepts. Unfortunately, you'd need a more intelligent populous to execute it properly. It's not going to be the end of the world. Gimme a break people. Most of you sound like my grandparents. Old outdated ideas and perspectives. I'm glad people age and die. It makes way for the new ideas and cleans out the old crap that people cling to. I don't understand why people become so rigid in their thought in the first place...

Posted by: Rob | Nov 21, 2008 5:59:04 PM

With all the talk in the news lately about the impending choice for Secretary of State, we are compelled to request that the Obama Biden administration that we all fought for to intensely please consider a new, fresh, and revitalizing force of a candidate for this position at the State Department. We are all very anxious to see a new and progressive individual who can symbolize the change in generation and ideology that made this Administration possible. A candidate that can represent the new and improved bi lateral United States of America. Someone who will not be bringing old and salvaged baggage to the position but a clean slate candidate. Please consider ! We implore you! God Bless.

Posted by: Sally | Nov 19, 2008 7:56:16 PM

Bill Clinton was good enough to be our President. No one should question his patriotism and loyalty to this country over the interest of various donors. If there were a conflict of interest, I know that Bill will do the right thing if Hillary Clinton were Secretary of State. So don't blame Bill Clinton if Hillary does not get the job. She is qualified and that is all that should matter. The rest will take care of itself.

Posted by: Natalie | Nov 18, 2008 5:48:19 PM

Hillary as a Secretary of State?
Love Obama with all my heart!
But now I am a little disappointed, I mean so far the template that is being built is based on the old.I thought this was going to be change not a throwback, we have all of the same players affiliated in some way with the impeached Clinton from 9 years ago, please President Obama, start tapping into the talent of tomorrow and the power movers of the NOW, Hillary and the Clinton's' made me lose a great deal of respect, however, they seemed to patch things up but I would not have her in my cabinet or administration if he knows what is right for him, loyalty is the most important asset or your team, she has shown the cards of being able to cast a spear into his back and not bat an eye.

Posted by: Nick-Nick | Nov 18, 2008 3:12:14 PM

What happened to the platform of change??? That promise went out the window fast. Obama was voted in to bring about change and clean up Washington. Instead he is surrounding himself with the Clinton's and people from their administration. If he really intends to bring change to Washington and bring people together, he don't need the Clintons and he can get his party to stop the hate compaign to remove Lieberman from his position,a man of experience as revenge for speaking his mind. Maybe Mr. Liberman knew it was all smoke and mirrors and no change would ever really come to Washington. Obama does not need Hillary Clinton who has her own agenda, he needs somebody who will help promote his agenda.

Posted by: So much for Change | Nov 17, 2008 10:03:19 AM

The nation already has a highly respected and gutsy Secretary of State. Why change especially for one who's character is full of pot holes? Let's keep Condoleeza Rice.

Posted by: Tom | Nov 17, 2008 7:39:49 AM

I think it would be wise of Obama to appoint people to specific posts who he feels is capable of being a plus to the administration and to the country. The talking heads say since Hillary is a junior Senator, getting health care issues addessed that she feels so strongly about would be impossible. She has experience and would be great at this position if accepted. I applaud Obama for attempting to select the best possible people for positions within his administration.

Posted by: belinda | Nov 16, 2008 7:36:50 PM

HILLARY CLINTON HAS A UNIQUE PERSONALITY WHO HELPED OBAMA TO SHOOT UP HIS POPULARITY FOR VICE PRESIDENT IN HER ADMINISTRATION IF ELECTED.OBAMA USED THIS OPPORTUNITY AND ACTED WISELY TO BECOME PRESIDENT ELECT.SHE IS BRILLIENT TO BE OUR NEXT SECRETARY OF STATE.SHE WILL HELP UNITE THE WORLD AND MAKE OBAMA A WORLD LEADER.

Posted by: Mir Khan | Nov 16, 2008 6:35:25 AM

Don't drink the Kool-ade Hillary. Obama only wants to silence his opponents, that's you. Let him make his own mistakes.

Posted by: garand911 | Nov 16, 2008 1:11:54 AM

Why or why is everyone convinced she is smart? Where has her intelligence been proven? Remember the things she just out and oout stoled from our Whitehouse when she and Bill moved out? Please remember how certain papers just "appeared" on top of a cabinet???

Posted by: Jennfire | Nov 15, 2008 9:53:29 PM

I do not think she is the most logical person. She is not trustworthy. She is a liar. I don't want a liar representing my Country. She is caustic and hostile, and unlikeable. Our Country needs a sharp, in charge, trustworthy person to work with other Countries and help us with our World Image. Clinton is not the person for this huge task. I could see her in Education or Housing, but not Secretary of State.

Posted by: Jennfire | Nov 15, 2008 9:41:47 PM

People made a mistake by electing Obama a puppet...sure he is a great imitator...it is like having a Cola from a generic store rather then the real thing COke..Obama is using the Clinton knowledge and people except we have a marketing scam in place rather then the real thing... Hillary would be a logical choice and another copy from the Clinton playbook because he has no real capability except to use smoke and mirrors..

Posted by: sls | Nov 15, 2008 3:09:34 PM

When is comes to the Clintons, the saying "keep your friends close and your enemies closer" does not apply. Now, as someone who thinks Obama will be a deeply flawed president, I hope he does appoint Hillary. Maybe she can sneak Bill in the back door of the White House and he can prevent Barry from permanently harming our country. Obama as a puppet for a behind the scenes Clinton take-over would be the best thing we can reasonably hope for in the current situation.

Posted by: Kevin | Nov 15, 2008 2:28:45 PM

Please Mr. Obama, don't put another Clinton in power. We don't need more Whitewater problems worldwide. We don't need a hypocrite representing our country. What I am referring to is reports the Clintons invest in companies that work against human rights. They would not invest in these areas if they were not simply out to make money.

She is definitely not a Rice. Rice is a smart woman and I would support her again.

Clinton lost because we didn't want that family in power again. Please go with the will of the voters. NO MORE CLINTONS.

Posted by: nomoreclintons | Nov 15, 2008 2:23:54 PM

i think Hilary will be the best ,she`s women and she is realy smart.go for it hilary.Sabine brown

Posted by: Sabine brown | Nov 15, 2008 1:46:48 PM

I think Hillary Clinton would be a great choice for the Secretary of State leans towaards a very strong knowledgeable cabin. She is a very good knowledgeable source on foriegn policy I would hope that President-Elect Obama decision to choose her would be great for both him and her.

Posted by: Phyllis A. Davis | Nov 15, 2008 1:10:21 PM

I think Hillary Clinton would be a great choice for the Secretary of State leans towaards a very strong knowledgeable cabin. She is a very good knowledgeable source on foriegn policy I would hope that President-Elect Obama decision to choose her would be great for both him and her.

Posted by: Phyllis A. Davis | Nov 15, 2008 1:10:17 PM

Oh my God, say it isn't so ! I thought we were finally going to be rid of Hillary and Bill. What's it going to take, to get them to "just go away" ? But at least we can all be thankful for one thing, she's not going to be the President. Obama's bad enough !

Posted by: luke_4u | Nov 15, 2008 11:05:35 AM

Hussein is right to walk into Lincoln's footprints, he needs to reach for the other side. But instead of the Lady Macbeth of the 90's why doesn't he appoint Ann Coulter? It would be a real breakthrough, serious! and it would show The One doesn't fear opposition.

Posted by: Obama Rules | Nov 15, 2008 8:14:19 AM

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