What do you think? Keep your friends close... and your enemies closer?

[sonnytook]

Officials: Obama Offered Clinton Secretary Of State

President-elect Barack Obama offered Sen. Hillary Clinton the position of Secretary of State during their meeting Thursday in Chicago, according to two senior Democratic officials. She requested time to consider the offer, the officials said.

Multiple reports have indicated that Clinton was under serious considerationfor the nation's top diplomatic post, in addition to Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry and Chuck Hagel, the Republican Senator from Nebraska.

A longtime aide to the New York Senator argued to the Huffington Post that there are strong reasons why Obama would be inclined to make the post worth Clinton's time.

"She is a beloved figure around the world. She has visited over 80 countries, as first lady and senator together," the aide told the Huffington Post. Noting the fact that Clinton learned as first lady how to be effective as a "backdoor diplomat," the former White House assistant said Clinton mastered "a lot of the intricacies of these issues before ever joining the Senate's Armed Services committee. She's tough; she had meetings with some Prime Ministers and Presidents where she had to deliver some blunt messages for us."

The offer shows that the Obama team is, in fact, serious about bringing all types of political officials -- former foes included -- into its governing tent. During the Democratic primary, Clinton was often accused by aides to Obama of inflating or over-dramatizing her foreign policy experience.

As for Clinton, the Secretary of State post offers her tremendous responsibilities as well as a national platform from which, theoretically, she could launch a second White House run. But it also takes her away from the domestic issues, like health care reform, that she seemed poised to tackle as one of the Senate's leading Democrats.

Please note,

There could be many genuine reasons for this.. I have no doubt she will do a fine job.  However... Obama doesn't just do things on a whim.  Everything he does.. he has already foreseen 3 or 5 moves ahead.  Hmmmm?... oh and just so you know, it is unpresedented and actually... impossible for a member of a cabinet to challenge his or her President for a White House run.  IMPOSSIBLE!  And guess what... if she turns it down.. no skin off his back, he can show her supportes he DID offer her the job. 

 

 

[Jeangenie]

Nov. 15, 2008 at 11:52 AM Isn't this what Lincoln did? Not show contempt for his opposition and actually hired them for his cabinet? I think it's a brilliant move honestly. It breaks down barriers and shows that we all CAN work together for a better future.

[RNsteph]

Nov. 15, 2008 at 12:28 PM

For the first time since I was old enough to vote, I feel hopeful for our country.