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The Cabinet Puzzle

November 18, 2008 1:10 PM

Picking a Cabinet is not just a series of individual selections; one has to consider the Cabinet as a whole, like a jigsaw puzzle.

Picking Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., as Secretary of State, for instance, would impact other choices. Would one be less likely to pick another prominent Clinton alum, say, former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers, to serve in a prominent role? Attorney Greg Craig, who has strained relations with Mrs. Clinton, mightn't be then picked for a national security position -- one of the reasons (in addition to his legal acumen) leading him to the White House counsel's job.

We took a look at this idea on "GMA" this morning.

- jpt

November 18, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (19)

User Comments

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I think choosing Hillary now for secretary of state would be a bad judgment for Obama. Hillary and Bill have a lot of skeletons in the closet. I think the best person would be Donnna Brazile for the job.

Posted by: Karl | Nov 18, 2008 5:01:47 PM

The only question for Barack/Hillary is when to make the announcement! :)

Posted by: aware2u | Nov 18, 2008 2:36:37 PM

expecting?
did you vote for bush?
did you get from this current president bush, what he promised he would do?

Posted by: What? | Nov 18, 2008 2:32:19 PM

and by the way, jpt,
is there NOTHING ELSE to report on in your part of the world except
the "will she, won't she watch?"

Posted by: What? | Nov 18, 2008 2:29:45 PM

I just want my $1000 from our Greatest Leader as he promised to give it to us if we voted for him.

Do it. Don't make another boneheaded mistake.

Posted by: expecting | Nov 18, 2008 2:28:02 PM

If sen. hillary, president bill, their daughter chelsea clinton, sen clintons mother and brothers saw the statement:

Sen. clinton will divorce Bill Clinton before she lets the sos position go.

they would all laugh their heads off.

Posted by: What? | Nov 18, 2008 2:26:05 PM

at this point Hill will divorce Bill before she doesn't get SOS

you know the proverbial straw...

this would be it...

she cans till love him but if it means the difference between her being SOS and being part of the team faced with the greatest challenge we have faced in 50 years at least...and her being shuffed offfor his job...

they'll divorce first.

Posted by: dl | Nov 18, 2008 2:06:09 PM

becky from the insiders ...the deal is almost done...

Hillary Clinton will be SOS...period.

Obama and Hillary want it to happeen so all this is just interesting news...

by the way I called it on this and other blogs in January... Obama Pres..Biden VP Clinton SOS and even on occasion I called Emanuel as chirf of staff...

I knew because Obama is the type of guy who puts skill and attributes for the job first...

because he puts the country first and he is really really SMART.

If edwards hadn't screwed up he would be AG right now.

and expect both Kennedy's (Caroline and Robert to be on the cabinet as well)

Posted by: dl | Nov 18, 2008 2:03:20 PM

OBAMA WILL PICK THE RIGHT PERSON,HOWEVER I DO NOT THINK IT WILL BE HILLARY-----SHE IS STILL MARRIED TO SLICK WILLY THE SCOUNDRAL

Posted by: rodney | Nov 18, 2008 2:00:30 PM

I find it interesting that some people are so preemptive in their judgements and unwilling to give Obama a chance to show us change. Give the guy a chance to make good on his promises for heaven's sake. It's too bad about the anti-Clinton comments on here. Despite whatever issues folks may have with them, let us not forget that they do have talent and it's a waste to not use that to accomplish the goals Obama campaigned on.

Posted by: Steve | Nov 18, 2008 1:57:44 PM

I TOLD EVERYONE FROM STARTING WITH THE PRIMARYS,THAT THE CLINTONS HAD TOO MANY SKELETONS IN THEIR CLOSETS-----WHERE DO YOU ALL THINK THE MILLIONS CAME FROM--
IT WOULD BE NICE TO KNOW.

Posted by: rodney | Nov 18, 2008 1:54:59 PM

Like it or not...

Only thing that site shows is that voters were smart enough to ignore wing nut propaganda.

Posted by: Brooklyn Democrats | Nov 18, 2008 1:43:10 PM

Kinda like Fantasy Basketball.

Charles Barkley for Secretary of DEEEFENSE!!!


Posted by: R Mutt | Nov 18, 2008 1:34:13 PM

I think Jake Tapper's days of comparing Hillary Clinton's tenacity to that of Alex Forester are over. May I add the Rocky Balboa characterization, also?

Posted by: kat | Nov 18, 2008 1:31:28 PM

Obama has a choice and I believe he picks the right person. Hillary is the best choice as a secratary of state ever. I am very excited and couldn't even wait unitl he anounce her name.

Posted by: Lynn Hennessy | Nov 18, 2008 1:25:48 PM

Now that Obama's claim to want "change" from the dreaded years of the Clinton administration have been proved false, it's full speed ahead to reassemble the Clinton administration.

That's fine with me. What I don't like was the phony claim of distaste that Obama used to slam the Clintons, all the while preparing to tap their whole infrastructure.

It's also proof that Obama has no idea what he is doing - and is simply dialing anyone who has been there before to come and save him.

Since I like the Clintons, that's great. That's why I supported Hillary.

Posted by: Martin | Nov 18, 2008 1:20:12 PM

Hillary as Sec. of State would be great. Why not bring in Colin Powell as Sec. of Defense? Al Gore as Energy Secretary? Gary Hart for head of Homeland Security. This has potential to be a blockbuster Cabinet.

Posted by: hopesprings52 | Nov 18, 2008 1:19:31 PM

At least the next President will be trying to complete the 'big picture' using ALL the pieces!

Posted by: Deep Release | Nov 18, 2008 1:19:25 PM

I just read that if Hillary is picked, Bill would have to put his life on hold. No more raising money for his library, no more speeches, no more Bill. ummmm.... I don't see Bill doing any of the above. So lets move on. Hillary will not be SOS. I think Bill Richardson or Colin Powell are better fitted for SOS.

Posted by: becky (the real one) | Nov 18, 2008 1:14:51 PM

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