"It's really, really official: Hillary will be named Obama's Secretary of State" (update 3)

[ProSense]

DONE DEAL

It's really, really official: Hillary will be named Obama's Secretary of State tomorrow in Chicago, a person close to Hillary confirms.

Updated to add:

Officials: Obama set to introduce Clinton Monday

By BETH FOUHY, Associated Press Writer Beth Fouhy, Associated Press Writer – 23 mins ago

A deal with Bill Clinton over his post-White House work helped clear the way for Hillary Rodham Clinton to join President-elect Barack Obama's national security team as secretary of state, reshaping a once-bitter rivalry into a high-profile strategic and diplomatic union.

Obama was to be joined by the New York senator at a Chicago news conference Monday, Democratic officials said, where he also planned to announce that Defense Secretary Robert Gates would remain in his job for a year or more and that retired Marine General James M. Jones would serve as national security adviser.

The officials requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly for the transition team.

To make it possible for his wife to become the top U.S. diplomat, the officials said, former President Clinton agreed:

_to disclose the names of every contributor to his foundation since its inception in 1997 and all contributors going forward.

_to refuse donations from foreign governments to the Clinton Global Initiative, his annual charitable conference.

_to cease holding CGI meetings overseas.

_to volunteer to step away from day-to-day management of the foundation while his wife is secretary of state.

_to submit his speaking schedule to review by the State Department and White House counsel.

_to submit any new sources of income to a similar ethical review.

Bill Clinton's business deals and global charitable endeavors had been to create problems for the former first lady's nomination. But in negotiations with the Obama transition team, the former president agreed to several measures designed to bring transparency to those activities.

The former president long had refused to disclose the identities of contributors to his foundation, saying many gave money on condition that they not be identified.

Obama's choice of Hillary Clinton was an extraordinary gesture of good will after a year in which the two rivals competed for the Democratic nomination in a long, bitter primary battle.

link

Update 2:

BC HELPS CLEAR THE WAY FOR HRC....:

As for Bill Clinton's fundraising disclosures, a source familiar with the former president's work said the list "may include some embarrassing names, but nothing dramatic enough to scuttle his wife's chances to be Secretary of State. That the nomination is on track to go forward suggests that Obama sees no overly embarrassing revelations in the list either."

Update 3:

November 30, 2008, 9:36 am

Obama to Roll Out Team, Including Clinton

By Peter Baker

CHICAGO – President-elect Barack Obama will formally roll out his national security team at a news conference here on Monday morning, including his former primary rival, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, as his secretary of state, Democrats close to the process said.

Mrs. Clinton is flying to Chicago to appear beside the man who beat her for the Democratic nomination, a person close to Clinton said. Friends previously said she was prepared to join his cabinet in hopes of having more impact than she would in the Senate, but the person close to her said the decision is now official.

In addition to Mrs. Clinton, Democrats said, Mr. Obama plans to announce that he is keeping Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, who has run the Pentagon for the last two years under President Bush. And they said Mr. Obama will appoint General James L. Jones, a retired Marine commandant and NATO supreme commander, as his national security adviser.

Rounding out his national security team, Mr. Obama will also name Eric J. Holder Jr., a former deputy attorney general, as his choice for attorney general and Gov. Janet Napolitano of Arizona as secretary of homeland security, one Democrat briefed on the plan said. Mr. Obama may also announce Susan E. Rice, a former assistant secretary of state, as ambassador to the United Nations, a job that will be given cabinet rank, as was the case under President Bill Clinton.

The Obama and Clinton teams have been preparing the ground for this announcement for days. Mr. Clinton, who has extensive business and philanthropic interests around the world, agreed to a nine-point plan covering disclosure, vetting and other areas to avoid potential conflicts of interest, including for the first time the release of more than 200,000 donors to his foundation by the end of the year. That goes beyond the requirements of existing law.

The Obama team has planned for a while to unveil the national security team after the Thanksgiving holiday, but the timing took on additional urgency after the terrorist attacks in Mumbai. The attacks, which killed at least 180, including six Americans, offered a tragic reminder that for all of Mr. Obama’s focus on fixing the economy, national security can capture a president’s attention at any moment.

more

[MoonRiver]

1. How oh how will you cope when it really, really happens?

[Zombie2]

3. DLC

:nuke:

:cry:

[MoonRiver]

4. Obama has faith in her.

nuff said?

[Blarch]

5. why ?

he said no leaks...and all her camp does is leak. This is the latest example. She can't even control her own people.

Looks bad.

[MoonRiver]

6. Who knows who is leaking what, and why.

I suspect Obama is preparing the purists for their BIG DISAPPOINTMENT.

[Blarch]

8. The first link says...

"A PERSON CLOSE TO HILLARY CONFIRMS"

Thanks for playing.

[atimetocome]

16. ha ha. that link leads back to his post and greg does not say who. what a joke.

[Blarch]

19. Ummmm...

thats not the first link. The first link reads DONE DEAL.

Thanks for playing.

[atimetocome]

22. The first one "done deal"leads to tpm and he links to himself and

does not say who.

thank YOU for playing. bye bye


Forum Name General Discussion: Presidential
Topic subject "It's really, really official: Hillary will be named Obama's Secretary of State" (update 3)
Topic URL http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x7937951#7937951
7937951, "It's really, really official: Hillary will be named Obama's Secretary of State" (update 3)
Posted by ProSense on Sun Nov-30-08 02:52 PM

DONE DEAL
It's really, really official: Hillary will be named Obama's Secretary of State tomorrow in Chicago, a person close to Hillary confirms.


Updated to add:

Officials: Obama set to introduce Clinton Monday
By BETH FOUHY, Associated Press Writer Beth Fouhy, Associated Press Writer – 23 mins ago

A deal with Bill Clinton over his post-White House work helped clear the way for Hillary Rodham Clinton to join President-elect Barack Obama's national security team as secretary of state, reshaping a once-bitter rivalry into a high-profile strategic and diplomatic union.

Obama was to be joined by the New York senator at a Chicago news conference Monday, Democratic officials said, where he also planned to announce that Defense Secretary Robert Gates would remain in his job for a year or more and that retired Marine General James M. Jones would serve as national security adviser.

The officials requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly for the transition team.

To make it possible for his wife to become the top U.S. diplomat, the officials said, former President Clinton agreed:

_to disclose the names of every contributor to his foundation since its inception in 1997 and all contributors going forward.

_to refuse donations from foreign governments to the Clinton Global Initiative, his annual charitable conference.

_to cease holding CGI meetings overseas.

_to volunteer to step away from day-to-day management of the foundation while his wife is secretary of state.

_to submit his speaking schedule to review by the State Department and White House counsel.

_to submit any new sources of income to a similar ethical review.

Bill Clinton's business deals and global charitable endeavors had been to create problems for the former first lady's nomination. But in negotiations with the Obama transition team, the former president agreed to several measures designed to bring transparency to those activities.

The former president long had refused to disclose the identities of contributors to his foundation, saying many gave money on condition that they not be identified.

Obama's choice of Hillary Clinton was an extraordinary gesture of good will after a year in which the two rivals competed for the Democratic nomination in a long, bitter primary battle.

link


Update 2:

BC HELPS CLEAR THE WAY FOR HRC....:

As for Bill Clinton's fundraising disclosures, a source familiar with the former president's work said the list "may include some embarrassing names, but nothing dramatic enough to scuttle his wife's chances to be Secretary of State. That the nomination is on track to go forward suggests that Obama sees no overly embarrassing revelations in the list either."


Update 3:

November 30, 2008, 9:36 am
Obama to Roll Out Team, Including Clinton
By Peter Baker

CHICAGO – President-elect Barack Obama will formally roll out his national security team at a news conference here on Monday morning, including his former primary rival, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, as his secretary of state, Democrats close to the process said.

Mrs. Clinton is flying to Chicago to appear beside the man who beat her for the Democratic nomination, a person close to Clinton said. Friends previously said she was prepared to join his cabinet in hopes of having more impact than she would in the Senate, but the person close to her said the decision is now official.

In addition to Mrs. Clinton, Democrats said, Mr. Obama plans to announce that he is keeping Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, who has run the Pentagon for the last two years under President Bush. And they said Mr. Obama will appoint General James L. Jones, a retired Marine commandant and NATO supreme commander, as his national security adviser.

Rounding out his national security team, Mr. Obama will also name Eric J. Holder Jr., a former deputy attorney general, as his choice for attorney general and Gov. Janet Napolitano of Arizona as secretary of homeland security, one Democrat briefed on the plan said. Mr. Obama may also announce Susan E. Rice, a former assistant secretary of state, as ambassador to the United Nations, a job that will be given cabinet rank, as was the case under President Bill Clinton.

The Obama and Clinton teams have been preparing the ground for this announcement for days. Mr. Clinton, who has extensive business and philanthropic interests around the world, agreed to a nine-point plan covering disclosure, vetting and other areas to avoid potential conflicts of interest, including for the first time the release of more than 200,000 donors to his foundation by the end of the year. That goes beyond the requirements of existing law.

The Obama team has planned for a while to unveil the national security team after the Thanksgiving holiday, but the timing took on additional urgency after the terrorist attacks in Mumbai. The attacks, which killed at least 180, including six Americans, offered a tragic reminder that for all of Mr. Obama’s focus on fixing the economy, national security can capture a president’s attention at any moment.

more

[Mass]

24. Well, by this standard, no news of Hillary as SoS is credible, they all link to anonymous sources

None say who. So, I guess the news is utter BS, by your own standard.

Bye, Bye. So young and already on my ignore list!

[LostinVA]

46. The news TODAY quotes an anonymouse souce on OBAMA'S transition team

[wyldwolf]

7. ...where Obama got much of his domestic policy positions from...

:)

[atimetocome]

12. I am sure you have figured that out already

sadly.

[ProSense]

20. Where did you come from? You're an expert on how I'm going to "cope"?

Please, tell me...I'll wait.

[atimetocome]

25. I have not said how you will cope.

[wyldwolf]

2. it has been for a while, unless you're of the belief nothing is REAL until the papers are signed

[Evergreen Emerald]

9. Just think of the fodder for future Clinton-hate posts.

She will be here for you to kick around for years.

[patrice]

11. + the fodder for future Clinton idolators. nt

[atimetocome]

15. so sad that is true. Obama has chosen a smart hard-working loyal

person for a post that is badly in need of repair. And what happens. Hate consumes so so many that they are blinded by it.

[Evergreen Emerald]

18. We can take comfort in the fact that this board is not representative

of the democratic norm.

[musicblind]

73. Yes but their Clinton-hate posts will quickly be shut down once Hillary is officially SOS

in Obama's administration. It doesn't jive well to hate on the president-elect or his brand new administration that is going to be saving us from Bush and Company...

Like Bill Maher said. If you hate hate Hillary then that says something bad about YOU. ;)

[patrice]

10. : - (((

I expected that it was a done deal.

The question now is: How do The People make it clear that our lives, our blood, our futures are NOT Political Cannon fodder?

I KNOW there is some ambiguity as to why her IWR vote was what it was. That ambiguity does not matter, because it comes down to this: SHE is the one who happens to be in a position that has allowed us to make a political statement about the consequences of voting for (at least a 50:50 chance of) War in order to buy your way into the pResidential candidates' club, or any other political clique for that matter.

We made that statement by chosing Obama. Now that HC is back VERY MUCH in the middle of things on this particular issue, we MUST re-commit ourselves to making this clear: We are NOT War Slaves!

[Evergreen Emerald]

13. Did you say the same thing when Obama picked Biden as VP?

[patrice]

30. I was hoping for Richardson for VP. nt

[Evergreen Emerald]

69. that was not my question

[musicblind]

74. She's not going to answer your question. Their disgust only applies if the last name is Clinton n/t

[ProSense]

14. Obama to unveil national security team

Obama to unveil national security team

WASHINGTON (AFP) – President-elect Barack Obama will announce his national security team in Chicago Monday, his transition team announced, amid reports that Hillary Clinton has been tapped as the next US secretary of state.

Obama and vice president-elect Joe Biden were due to make the announcements at a press conference in Chicago, the transition team said in a statement issued Sunday.

The New York Times has reported that former US president Bill Clinton agreed to disclose names of more than 200,000 donors to his foundation to help clear up any ethical concerns as his wife, Senator Hillary Clinton, was considered for the role of top US diplomat.

[Mass]

17. Good. Hillary Clinton will be implementing President Obama's policies.

Hopefully, it is the end of her working on her own and the beginning of her behaving like a team player (meaning keeping her aides and supporters on leash). The only thing we need to hear from the cabinet is " President Obama wants.".

[ProSense]

21. Exactly.

Bill will also be on a leash.

[S_E_Fudd]

23. Potential to be the greatest SoS in American History...

Combination of skill, temperement, popularity around the world and the moment in history has the potential to make her one of the greatest SoS's in American history...

She has most certainly secured her place among the pantheon of those advancing women's rights in this country...

Obama has shown maturity and excellent judgment in his picks so far...

[ProSense]

26. Quick, who is the current greatest SoS in American history? n/t

[Mass]

28. Half of the people on DU cannot name Nixon and Reagan SoS, I am sure.

(or Clinton's first SoS), left alone Roosevelt SoSs , without googling.

[S_E_Fudd]

33. The power in Nixon's admin was of course Henry Kissinger...

Who was National Security advisor then SoS...

[Mass]

77. Which, during 5 of the 6 years Nixon was president, was not SoS.

This was my point. Do you remember of William P. Rogers, who was Nixon secretary of State during the previous 5 years? The point is not that Kissinger was powerful, he was. The point is that his Secretary of State for most of his presidency is now unknown (obviously, it will not be the case of Hillary Clinton, but being SoS is not necessarily that great. Biden said in 2004 he would prefer stay in the Senate as head of the SFRC than become SoS).

[RFKHumphreyObama]

84. That's not true -without googling or looking at the answers below

I can name William Rogers, Henry Kissinger, Alexander Haig, George Schultz and Warren Chistopher off the top of my head

Actually I can do better than that. Off the top of my head
Kennedy
SOS -Dean Rusk
Johnson
SOS-Dean Rusk
Nixon
SOS -William Rogers, Henry Kissinge
Ford
SOS -Henry Kissinger
Carter
SOS-Cyrus Vance, Edmund G Muskie
Reagan
SOS -George P Schultz, Alexander Haig
Bush Senior
SOS -James Baker, Lawrence Eagleburger
Clinton
SOS -Warren Christoher, Madeline Albright
Dumbya
Powell, Rice

[Mass]

86. So, you're part of the half who knows, Half do not know.

[Tom Rinaldo]

29. I would pick George Marshall. n/t

[S_E_Fudd]

32. Matter of opinion of course...

My vote would be John Quincy Adams...

Adams-Onis treaty and more importantly the primary author of the Monroe Doctrine...

[wuushew]

43. Adams is the gold standard for SoS

decades and decades of foreign service, where as Clinton has none. Even Thomas Jefferson who had irreconcilable differences with Federalism had more diplomatic experience.


Why is the United States Senate not a worthy occupation? Ted Kennedy will be sadly gone some day allowing more juniors members to rise to prominence. Why walk away from a chance to actually enact some form of universal health-care?

[S_E_Fudd]

47. Jefferson was an awful SoS...

Excellent SoS's have come from a variety of places. Experience as an ambassador or diplomat is not required..Hillary had eight years making contacts while first lady (not inconsiderable), she is highly respected abroad(a big plus) and has had eight years in the U.S. Senate...on the armed services committee where she has earned the respect and admiration of the diplomatic and defense communities...

And she is one of the most intelligent public servants I have seen in many, many years...and that includes Bill (no slouch)

I have absolutely no doubt whatsoever that she will make a top notch SoS...

[wuushew]

49. I am not arguing FOR Jefferson

After encounters with very vocal anti-federalists on DU I choose my language very carefully. I merely said Jefferson had more diplomatic experience than HRC.

[S_E_Fudd]

51. Which should show that it does not mean a person with that experience...

Would be a good SoS

Do some people actually call themselevs anti-federalists here?

[Prism]

39. Seward - And I hope there is a parallel

Lincoln's SoS was often at dangerous cross purposes with him when he was given the position and very much a political rival at the time. But Seward absorbed Lincoln's wisdom, especially in regards to staving off a war with Great Britain that would have shattered the Union had it come to pass. He grew in the office, carried out Lincoln's policies, and came to execute some of the shrewdest diplomacy in our nation's history.

Should Senator Clinton similarly grow in the office and execute President Obama's policies, I would not be displeased.

[Mass]

27. Why?

She has most certainly secured her place among the pantheon of those advancing women's rights in this country... Why?

I wished she did, but she has been working as Bill's wife, though she is a extremely bright woman. She has not run her campaign. She has implied or left people imply that if she did not become president, no women could. And, now, she will become president not because she has shown interest or talent in foreign affairs, but because half of the political establishment think that Bill is a good introduction for her with the ruling elite of the world.

There are a lot of women who broke glass ceiling in the last century. Hillary Clinton is none of them (except as first first lady becoming senator, candidate to the Democratic nomination, and SoS).

[S_E_Fudd]

34. Stunning...

You mean she isn't perfect...way to shatter my illusions!!!

:sarcasm:

Extraordinarily effective first lady, first first lady elected to public office in her own right, by far the most successful run for the Presidency of any woman in history, about to become the Secretary of State...and if you truly believe she has shown no talant in foreign affairs I suggest you more carefully review her record...

That she has secured her place is virtually indisputable...

[Mass]

76. no surprise, you are a man.

Or Madeleine Albright and Condie Rice have gained this place too, given that they have been the 1rst and 2nd women Secretary of State, and all that without being wife or husband of a famous man (and it is not an endorsement of their political and foreign policy positions, far from it).

My disappointment with Hillary is that she chose to use her husband's reputation more than her own skills for her own accomplishment, and, for a feminist woman, it is probably more disappointing than for a male.

[S_E_Fudd]

79. Ridiculous...

Your conclusion only holds water if you ignore everything she has done before she was nominated for SoS...

And to make the ridiculous claim she has simply been sliding by on her husbands reputation is not only ignorant, but is insulting...

[Upton]

31. As long as she doesn't get hit by sniper fire she might be servicable

other than that your post is complete speculation with no real basis in fact.

[S_E_Fudd]

35. If one could not have an opinion unless it was already fact...

DU would be an awfully boring place...

Based on her record, which is a matter of factual record I (and apparently Barack Obama) believe she will be exceptional in that position...

[ProSense]

36. Video: Obama to Name Clinton Secretary of State on Mon.

Obama to Name Clinton Secretary of State on Mon.

[Afikpo Chic]

63. I have simply accepted what is coming..

Hillary did some really horrible things during the primaries but almost anyone in her position will resort to her tactics when something you were so sure was in the bag for you was being taken away by a better prepared unknown. We must please forgive her and give her the chance to serve as SOS. My fear has been that she will do something to jeopadize Obama's presidency but I don't think Hillary is stupid. She cannot compromise America's security just to spite Obama. So guys, relax and accept the situation as is.

[Erin Elizabeth]

71. Interesting comment on that video:

I.. erm. Eh. Hm.

I really don't know what to say about this one. Why State? Why would he put her in charge of the one and only department whose issues (foreign policy) they truly, deeply disagree on?

I don't... get it.

[ProSense]

37. "'entirely likely' that the former president could be dispatched to India and Pakistan "

Democratic Sen. Jack Reed (R.I.), who also appeared on the program, said Obama is about to name “a superb group of people.”

Lugar said he would vote to confirm Clinton, even though he acknowledged that questions could be raised about the dealings of her husband, former President Bill Clinton.

“I think that the wide-ranging activities of President Clinton are very substantial on this earth. They will continue to be,” Lugar stated, adding, “I don’t know how, given all of our ethics standards now, anyone quite measures up to this who has such cosmic ties. But I think the Obama campaign people have done a good job in trying to pin down the most important elements, and at this point hopefully this team of rivals will work.”

Reed said that he expects both Clintons “will be very judicious in what they take on.”

Both senators agreed that Bill Clinton could still serve as a mediator or U.S. emissary in the international arena.

Reed said that it is “entirely likely” that the former president could be dispatched to India and Pakistan to smooth over tensions there following the terrorist attack in Mumbai. Clinton has garnered a lot of good will in the area after leaving office because of his work there following the devastating tsunami.

Lugar added that Bill Clinton “could do a great job there,” adding, “And for that matter, in lots of places.”

link

Wow, Hillary gets the title, Bill gets the job?

Edited to add transcript:

REED: Well, I think this arrangement sets up a framework of transparency and disclosure. And I think that’s a significant and important aspect of the confirmation process for Mrs. Clinton, Senator Clinton.

As it goes forward, I think, though, I think the presumption will be that both the Secretary of State Clinton and president, former President Clinton will be very judicious in what they take on, because there’s a new dimension here. The secretary of state and the former president are married, and I think that’s going to set the standard.

But I think they’ve put up a good framework. This disclosure, this transparency is the right way to go.

STEPHANOPOULOS: How about in the question of the mediation? Does -- if, for example, and President-elect Obama did talk about this in the campaign -- having perhaps President Clinton serve as a mediator between India and Pakistan over Kashmir. There would not necessarily be a conflict there if he chose to have President Clinton do that. But you’re smiling. You don’t thing it is likely anymore?

REED: No, I think it’s entirely likely. And I don’t think there will be a conflict. And I think also, in terms of specific assignment, that, to your question, George, what more can be done? Well, in that context, there might be some arrangements that should be disclosed, some additional self-imposed restrictions that the president would take. But in the context of a specific mission from President Obama, I think that’s where these judgments could be made.

I think he would be a superb addition to our international diplomacy.

STEPHANOPOULOS: Do you agree with that on India and Pakistan, as a mediator, President Clinton?

LUGAR: Yes, I think he could do a great job there. And for that matter, in lots of places.

But, as I say, this is an unprecedented situation historically.

link

[TahitiNut]

44. Giving Bill Clinton a 'portfolio' while he also pursues his own income-generating activities ...

... would be a serious error. It would exacerbate the confusion regarding questions of representation. Think about it: Just how much did Poppy Bush represent the Cheney/Bush administration?? How was he used? (Not much.)

I'd be far more comfortable if it were Jimmy Carter ... even with the Carter Center posing a potential conflict.

[ProSense]

56. I think that's why the reported concessions involving Bill. Still, it's sticky

As for Clinton, some observers have raised concerns about her husband, former President Bill Clinton, and suggested that his international business dealings, global foundation and penchant for going off script could present a significant obstacle for the incoming commander-in-chief.

"These are issues that I'm sure are being discussed, and they will have to be worked out, and it's legitimate to ask these questions," said James Carville, a former aide to the Clintons and CNN contributor.

Obama's transition team was given access to Bill Clinton's finances and post-presidential dealings, sources said. As part of the early vetting process, the team looked for any negative information that could jeopardize the prospect of Hillary Clinton as secretary of state.

A particular issue of concern, observers said, was the donor list of Bill Clinton's global foundation, which might show connections to international figures who push policies that could conflict with those of the new Obama administration.

Since exiting the Oval Office eight years ago, Clinton has reportedly raised more than $500 million for the foundation, a significant portion of which financed the construction of his presidential library. The foundation has also doled out millions for AIDS relief in Africa and other charitable causes around the world.

Amid repeated criticism from Sen. Clinton's primary opponents, Bill Clinton would not reveal the extent of the foundation's donor list earlier this year. But The New York Times has reported the list includes some foreign governments, including members of the Saudi royal family, the king of Morocco, a fund connected to the United Arab Emirates, and the governments of Kuwait and Qatar.

The former president has also reportedly solicited funds from international business figures connected to human rights abuses that his wife has criticized, including the governments of Kazakhstan and China.

During the New York senator's White House bid, critics repeatedly said that foreign governments and business executives could try to exert influence through donations to the foundation, which prompted a pledge from the former president to publicly disclose all future donors.

link

[babylonsister]

38. Good. Time to move on. Who will be named education secretary? nt

[ProSense]

40. Have there been any names leaked?

CNN’s Short List: Who will be Obama's education secretary?

[babylonsister]

42. CNN aside, there hasn't afaik. Kind of odd. I wish this would get more

attention.

[Kitsune]

41. Bleh.

[jenmito]

45. The thing that bothers ME is the media keeps focusing on HER, making it seem like SHE'S the

most important person in Obama's cabinet when they're EQUALLY important. I'm afraid they'll be focusing on her, Bill, and the relationship between them and Obama (and Biden) to the point of it becoming a circus.

[Grateful for Hope]

48. If Hillary supports Obama in her role as SoS

as she did post-primaries, the media will not have anything to focus on (besides the actual policies that will be implemented) except the excellent cohesion within the Obama administration.

During the Democratic convention, the media was very disappointed that all they could report on was the considerable support that Hillary displayed toward Obama in her excellent speech. Meanwhile, the hype leading up to the convention was all about the drama they hoped to see at that convention.
How let down they were (and, how exciting it must have been for them to be given Sarah Palin as the new talking point) when Hillary disappointed them!

I have such respect for Obama that I am sure he has firmly indicated to his potential and actual nominees that he will tolerate nothing less than cohesion within his cabinet -- much like his campaign was run. And, post-primary, Hillary amply demonstrated that she has the ability to be an excellent team player.

[jenmito]

52. Good points...

I just hope the media doesn't spend their time LOOKING for ANYTHING to make into a big deal-and if they can't find anything about Hillary, they might look to BILL.

[ProSense]

53. The Republicans will look to Bill.

Lugar: 'There Will Be Questions Raised' About Bill Clinton's Foreign Work

November 30, 2008 10:16 AM

Sen. Richard Lugar, R-Ind., the top Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee told me today that while he believes he will vote to confirm Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., as President-elect Barack Obama's Secretary of State, questions linger about former President Bill Clinton's foreign work.

As part of a deal worked out between lawyers for the former president and Obama's transition team looking to clear obstacles to Hillary Clinton's nomination as Secretary of State, Bill Clinton has agreed to a number of concessions, including disclosing all contributors to his foundation, separating his Clinton Global Initiative from his foundation, and end any Clinton Global Initiative meetings outside of the United States, and submit any future speeches, projects and contracts to the State Department ethics czar for approval.

"I think it's a big step," but, Lugar said, "I think the wide-ranging activities of President Clinton are very substantial on this earth, they will continue to be."

Lugar said it's been suggested that Bill Clinton could be a diplomatic emissary to India and Pakistan to try to work out their dispute over Kashmir.

"I don't know how given all of our ethics standards now, anyone quite measures up to this who has such cosmic ties," Lugar said. "But I think the Obama campaign people have done a good job in trying to pin down the most important elements."

When I pressed Sen. Lugar on whether the package of restrictions on the former president was sufficient for him to vote for Clinton for Secretary of State, he said, "I would vote in favor of Sen. Clinton knowing what we have here on this program today."

"I suspect, however, that I'm not alone in suggesting there will be questions raised and will probably be legitimate," Lugar said.

Given all of the ties, all of the influence that he has, all of the relationships, that he is a major player in foreign policy," Lugar said. "Now Mrs. Clinton is going to be the Secretary of State. They are married."

Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and top adviser to Obama said on "This Week," "I think this arrangement sets up a framework of transparency and disclosure."

"As it goes forward I think that the presumption will be that both Secretary of State and the former president will be very judicious about what they take on because of the new dimension here," Reed said.

[jenmito]

57. Why am I not surprised?

And THAT'S just Richard Lugar. Can you imagine how people like Rush and Hannity are going to be covering BOTH Clintons day after day after day? They're probably the happiest people in the country right now besides the Clintons themselves.

[Grateful for Hope]

61. True

but, I think (and hope) that they will be sorely disappointed. From what I have seen of Obama, he runs a tight ship!

[jenmito]

67. I hope so, too...

and I hope Obama is able to KEEP running a tight ship.

[atimetocome]

50. She will be the face of US foreign policy. It is indeed a

huge responsibility for her.

[jenmito]

54. But the media shouldn't always seperate HER from the rest of the appointments

as if she's the only person that matters. It's not about HER. It's about OBAMA and his choices.

[atimetocome]

70. Indeed. And from what I see --it is about Obama's choices--and the

smart one he made by choosing Hillary---at least that is the tone.

[Erin Elizabeth]

72. AMEN.

Exactly.

[PBS Poll-435]

55. This whole thing is so weird. Obama seems to be announcing his people in "phases"

It is like we might have a functional government again.

[bread_and_roses]

58. I'm THRILLED. How perfect a choice for our glorious new dawn of change!

Who could be more perfect than Cluster-Bomb Clinton? Add her to Gates and Biden and who better to re-think American hegemony, Imperialism, and the Pentagon budget? Change we can believe in, indeed!

[PeaceNikki]

59. kewl

:thumbsup:

[starroute]

60. I think this goes to a larger question about Obama's governing style

In the Bush administration, you had a few powerful behind-the-scenes decision makers, like Cheney and Rumsfeld -- but the public faces of the administration were relatively weak figures, like Condi Rice, and Bush himself was kind of a figurehead.

Obama, I think, has been working on how to turn that inside out. In an Obama administration, he himself will set the guiding policies, and his public emissaries will be strong figures like Hillary Clinton. To all appearances, there will be *no* place for covert decision makers.

Everything that Obama has done so far seems designed to send a message that this is how things will be. Whether Clinton, or any of his other appointees, will meet the high expectations he has for them remains to be seen -- though I have a strong suspicion that most of them are prepared to push their own limits in order to measure up.

In Star Trek terms, I expect this to be a "make it so" administration.

And if Obama does carry it off, there will be another benefit besides restoring a degree of transparency to the executive branch. Many of the problems we've been having lately, both domestically and abroad, are tied in with the fact that our system of representative democracy just doesn't scale very well to the needs of a superpower.

In that sense, the conservatives are right when they say that the larger government gets the more inefficient it gets. But the solution is not to shrink government or privatize it -- because the needs are there to be met, and nobody else is prepared to do it. Instead, I think Obama is going to be challenged to reinvent government so that it will do what he wants it to do.

Right now, our government is kind of a mess. Congress is riddled with corruption and special interest lobbyists. Funds that should be allocated through informed decision-making are grabbed off instead as earmarks. The executive branch is a tangle of federal departments and agencies which -- even when they are not actively dysfunctional, like DHS -- siphon far too much power away from democratic accountability and make possible the government-by-executive-order that we have seen under Bush.

I don't think Obama knows yet what can be done about this. But I believe he's thinking about it. And I think that putting high-profile people in cabinet positions so that he can be free to focus on the overall relationship of the parts is the beginning of that process.

[Starry Messenger]

62. Awesome post!

:thumbsup: I wish I could rec it.

[ProSense]

64. That's an excellent point

Obama, I think, has been working on how to turn that inside out. In an Obama administration, he himself will set the guiding policies, and his public emissaries will be strong figures like Hillary Clinton. To all appearances, there will be *no* place for covert decision makers....And if Obama does carry it off, there will be another benefit besides restoring a degree of transparency to the executive branch. Many of the problems we've been having lately, both domestically and abroad, are tied in with the fact that our system of representative democracy just doesn't scale very well to the needs of a superpower.

I completely agree that this is an effort by Obama to make transparency a cornerstone of his administration. It has been mentioned before, and again by Senator Reed today:

REED: Well, I think this arrangement sets up a framework of transparency and disclosure. And I think that’s a significant and important aspect of the confirmation process for Mrs. Clinton, Senator Clinton.

As it goes forward, I think, though, I think the presumption will be that both the Secretary of State Clinton and president, former President Clinton will be very judicious in what they take on, because there’s a new dimension here. The secretary of state and the former president are married, and I think that’s going to set the standard.

But I think they’ve put up a good framework. This disclosure, this transparency is the right way to go.

here

[AtomicKitten]

65. Excellent post.

:fistbump:

[L0oniX]

66. Yes but are you sure it's real?

[IndianaJohn]

68. good!

:-)

[11 Bravo]

75. Rexall drug stores are having a sale on hemlock (for those who feel the need).

[TankLV]

78. HA! This must really chap your butt!!!

[Starry Messenger]

82. Why? What an odd post. n/t

[Top Cat]

80. Barack has not let us down yet.... He knows what he's doing so I trust his decision

[ProSense]

81. Hillary Rodham Clinton biography

Hillary Rodham Clinton biography

By The Associated Press The Associated Press

Play Video Video: Obama & the Clintons FOX News Play Video Video: Obama Names Security Team ABC News NAME — Hillary Rodham Clinton.

AGE-BIRTH DATE-LOCATION — 61; Oct. 26, 1947; Chicago, Ill.

EXPERIENCE — U.S. senator for New York, 2001-present; first lady of the United States, 1993-2001; partner, Rose Law Firm, Little Rock, Ark. 1979-1992; associate, Rose Law Firm, 1976-1979; faculty, University of Arkansas Law School, Fayetteville, Ark., 1975; staff attorney, presidential impeachment inquiry, U.S. House Judiciary Committee, 1974; staff attorney, Children's Defense Fund, 1973.

EDUCATION — B.A., political science, Wellesley College, 1969; J.D., Yale Law School, 1973.

FAMILY — Husband, former President Bill Clinton; one child.

[joshcryer]

83. It's good to see that you're at the acceptance stage so quickly.

I figured there would have at least been more denials up to and until after he announced his choice, all the way up until the confirmation hearings were over.

[davidpdx]

85. I wasn't thrilled about it in the beginning, but I think this will be good

The safeguards in the agreement to make sure there are no conflicts of interest seem sufficent. I hope they find a strong person to replace her in the US Senate.