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Hillary, Plan B?

November 19, 2008 11:12 AM

From our Chief Capitol Hill reporter Jonathan Karl:

Just in case Hillary Clinton is NOT to be the next Secretary of State...

...Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid is working on ways to increase Mrs. Clinton's power and stature in the US Senate. He began discussing various options with Senator Clinton "about a week ago," according to a senior Democratic leadership aide.

They are discussing two options: 1) Crafting a new leadership post that would give Senator Clinton a prominent policy role; and, 2) Giving Senator Clinton an additional plum committee assignment.

Currently, Senator Clinton is, of course, a relatively junior Senator and, as such, has little formal power in an institution that is largely run by seniority. Her biggest formal title is chair of an environmental subcommittee. She made a move a couple weeks ago to become chair of a health care policy subcommittee which would/could have taken the lead on health care, but Ted Kennedy blocked the move (he'll be the lead on that, thank you very much). Senator Kennedy, however, yesterday announced that Senator Clinton will be one of three Senators with a key role in helping him craft health care legislation.

None of this is to suggest she is not going to be Secretary of State, but it is an indication that she is keeping other options open.

Also: Regarding the Secretary of State post, a key Democratic Senator who is close to Obama told me yesterday, rather emphatically, "It's not a done deal, I can tell you that."

November 19, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (6)

User Comments

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Now we are talking. Hillary can kick butt and take names and get a healthcare plan passed. This is where Hillary needs to be and can do the most good..

Posted by: Jenny Rome Ga | Nov 19, 2008 11:28:19 AM

did Mr. Karl ask when this all came up

this story is bologne...it was before she had the sit down with Obama.

why can't we get the facts straight.

Posted by: dl | Nov 19, 2008 11:31:33 AM

I totally admire Hillary Clinton's talent and brains, but for goodness sake! Please make a decision already. We've been there, done that in terms of her hanging on, and on, and on, and on, while holding up the process. Let's get on with it.

Posted by: counting crows | Nov 19, 2008 12:09:01 PM

counting crows,

Hillary Clinton can't respond to an offer that has not yet been made. Complain to Obama if you're tired of waiting.

She should stay in the Senate where she is not controlled by Obama.

Posted by: Keith | Nov 19, 2008 12:34:30 PM

What real experience does Hillary have other than being first lady at one time? She was around it, but not part of it. She's a Junior Senator, for goodness sake.
You can't cram for this job.
I'm sure Obama will run that show whoever gets the job.
Stick with being a senator, Hillary.
You will actually have more power in the senate.

Posted by: limelight Hillary | Nov 19, 2008 12:39:18 PM

Haste makes waste, counting crows. Building a cabinet for the president-elect must be a painstaking process. We've seen in the past where cabinet selections were made without careful vetting, and the new appointee-to-be is discovered to have too much conflicting baggage. I agree Hillary has talent and brains, but her baggage is Bill and all the international and national business interests he's involved in. The person who becomes Secretary of
State must have no connections which may be considered a demonstration of partiality.

Posted by: nanameow | Nov 19, 2008 12:40:41 PM

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