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Details on Hillary-Barack Meeting

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November 14, 2008 5:08 PM

ABC News' Martha Raddatz reports: President-elect Barack Obama met with Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., Thursday in Chicago to discuss the possibility of the senator becoming secretary of state.

A source with knowledge of the transition process describes the meeting as not a hard offer. Obama is more cautious than that.

He is doing this more elegantly, but a source said Obama took a big step toward Hillary. They had a long private meeting in which they talked about their philosophies and what had transpired during the campaign.

He was extremely respectful, saying she was great, and giving her a huge amount of support. He said that he knew how much she cared about health care but said there are other challenges, and wanted to reach out to her about secretary of state.

They were both cautious but again took a big step toward her. She reciprocated.

Obama does not want to be seen as being rejected by her, but it is “hers to turn down,” one source put it.

They have an agreement to have another meeting or phone conversation about this very soon.

ABC News has also confirmed that New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson met with Obama in Chicago today, per a Democratic source. Richardson has also been rumored to be a candidate for the Secretary of State position.

November 14, 2008 in Clinton, Hillary, Obama, Barack | Permalink | User Comments (231)

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Democrat all my life, are you for real

Posted by: d | Nov 14, 2008 6:24:30 PM

Obama is just trying to put her in a position so she can't run against him in 2012 if he manages to disappoint his worshipers.

Posted by: Tom NYC | Nov 14, 2008 6:25:02 PM

Why don't you all leave this up to Obama and Clinton. They were the top contenders and the election is over and they have far better judgement in matters of State. No one is running a campaign any more. I do find it interesting that so many Obama supporters don't support this possible decision. Now you don't trust his judgement! Let him lead and Hillary assist if that is both their decisions.

Hillary Clinton has been a wonderful Senator for New Yorkers. We wouldn't keep re-electing her to office otherwise. We can speak to her success as a political leader far better than those in other states.

Posted by: Richard Natoli-Rombach | Nov 14, 2008 6:26:36 PM

Just my two cents - I am a huge Obama supporter and am extremely enthusiastic (as are most Obama supporters) to see Clinton considered as Sec of State. It is a step in the right direction. The world knows her and respects her (for the most part). Most importantly, I'm glad we have an intelligent president elect who takes his cues from historical examples of what works and what doesn't work.

Posted by: LoveandHappiness | Nov 14, 2008 6:27:24 PM

Loveandhappiness:

Wonderfully put!! Your two cents are worth much more than that!!

Posted by: Richard Natoli-Rombach | Nov 14, 2008 6:29:50 PM

It would BE AWESOME, and to the people that are saying this would be disappointing to them, grow up! She is one of the most respected women in the world, and this would be PERFECT for her. Europe, and Isreal, and Russia, all have great respect for the Clintons, and this would be the MOST perfect person for this job. I am SO excited! I really hope he does this, its icing on the cake!

Posted by: kim | Nov 14, 2008 6:31:18 PM

I TOLD YOU FOLKS OVER AND OVER AGAIN, ALL THESE STUFFS ABOUT "CHANGE" ARE MERELY TACTICS BY OBAMA TO WIN THE WHITE HOUSE. THERE IS NO MAGIC WAND THAT SOLVES ALL OF THE WORLD PROBLEMS. AT THE END OF THE DAY, YOU STILL NEED TO KNOW HOW TO PLAY TOUGH AND NEGOGIATE TO GET WHAT IS BEST FOR YOUR COUNTRY. YOU OBAMA SUPPORTERS ARE A BUNCH OF GULLIBLE PEOPLE!!!

Posted by: tom | Nov 14, 2008 6:32:42 PM

I think she is an excellent choice. She would also be good in charge of health care.

To those who are critical of Hillary, she is so far ahead of that bimbo Palin it's ridiculous. Hillary can stand with any of them. Palin on the other hand is so incompetent she is scary. She could have wound up our President. How scary is that?

Posted by: Ver | Nov 14, 2008 6:34:54 PM

I'd prefer to see Hillary Clinton remain in the Senate, where she can become increasingly effective. She could also be a useful influence on health care policy. She has, however, no serious foreign policy experience, so I cannot consider the SofS appointment suitable for her.

Someone suggested Attorney General; yes, if she's going to get a Cabinet job, she'd do better in that position.

Posted by: Eleonora27 | Nov 14, 2008 6:36:22 PM

I also think she would be a strong force in the senate so it would not be a bad thing for her to stay right where she is.

Posted by: ver | Nov 14, 2008 6:36:30 PM

Tom, of course there is no magic wand. The change I wanted was for the dems to take over the white house. It's been a long 8 years and this is the change that we need.

Posted by: annie | Nov 14, 2008 6:38:49 PM

GO HILLARY SHE WILL BE GREAT SHE IS RESPECTED THE WORLD OVER. SO ALL YOU HRC HATERS GET OVER IT AND GET USE TO THE FACT THAT SHE IS LOVED ALL OVER THE WORLD. REMEMBER 18 MILLION VOTES IS A LOT OF VOTES.

Posted by: cindySanFrancisco | Nov 14, 2008 6:39:07 PM

This would be great! and...She is so much more than "Bill Clinton's wife". Bush surrounded himself with "yes" men..and women. You go Barack!

Posted by: sheri | Nov 14, 2008 6:39:22 PM

Hillary would be a good choice, particularly considering that she's held in such high international regard. Those of you who're making snide comments about this not being reported as something concrete must have precious little familiarity with news and/or truth. This is a blog. The story has been reported as as concrete as it is, which right now is not definite. The developments have been truthfully blogged. When it's a hard news story, it'll appear as such with a headline. Get a grip.

Posted by: KellyBelle22 | Nov 14, 2008 6:39:33 PM

Great choice for State. He could stick a dagger in the heart of the GOP for a generation if he put McCain at Defense. McCain deserves it.

Posted by: Hardlabour | Nov 14, 2008 6:46:49 PM

This arrangement was agreed upon after he won the nomination and her husband went to Obama and said "if you want us to campaign for you, Hillary wants to be Sec. of State. Whats your answer? End of story. Gee Hillary I thought you really wanted to represent to stupid people of NY. New Yorkers are really dumb. She never had any real intentions of representing you clowns. You were an end to a means. Wake up..

Posted by: paul sweeney | Nov 14, 2008 6:49:21 PM

It would be smart for Hillary to stay far away from King Obama and his corruption.

Posted by: Joanne | Nov 14, 2008 6:51:25 PM

paul sweeney,
You are a sore loser!!!!

Posted by: tom | Nov 14, 2008 6:52:03 PM

Hillary Clinton was "appointed" senator from New York when a deal was made with Senator Moynahan to take his seat. Remember her famous "listening" tour? Her re-election was a farce with her opponant being Little Ricky Lazio - another joke. Hillary has been re-elected Senator because Thomas the Turkey could also be elected Senator from New York if he would be a democrat.

Posted by: Luvcat | Nov 14, 2008 6:53:51 PM

I am an Amerucan and I don't ever want to go through this again. Right Wingism has always led to war and economic turmoil.

Posted by: Hardlabour | Nov 14, 2008 6:54:21 PM

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