tazinib1 Posted November 18, 2008 Share Posted November 18, 2008 (edited) Wow. Didn't see this coming. Hillary Clinton plans to accept the job of secretary of state offered by Barack Obama, who is reaching out to former rivals to build a broad coalition administration, the Guardian has learned. Obama's advisers have begun looking into Bill Clinton's foundation, which distributes millions of dollars to Africa to help with development, to ensure that there is no conflict of interest. But Democrats do not believe that the vetting is likely to be a problem. Clinton would be well placed to become the country's dominant voice in foreign affairs, replacing Condoleezza Rice. Since being elected senator for New York, she has specialised in foreign affairs and defence. Although she supported the war in Iraq, she and Obama basically agree on a withdrawal of American troops. Clinton, who still harbours hopes of a future presidential run, had to weigh up whether she would be better placed by staying in the Senate, which offers a platform for life, or making the more uncertain career move to the secretary of state job. As part of the coalition-building, Obama today also reached out to his defeated Republican rival, John McCain, to discuss how they could work together to roll back some of the most controversial policies of the Bush years. Putting aside the bitter words thrown about with abandon by both sides during the election campaign, McCain flew to meet Obama at his headquarters in the Kluczynski Federal Building, in downtown Chicago. Obama, speaking before the meeting, said: "We're going to have a good conversation about how we can do some work together to fix up the country." He said he also wanted to thank McCain for his service to the country. Asked by a reporter whether he would work with Obama, McCain, who has long favoured a bipartisan approach to politics, replied: "Obviously". Sources on both sides said Obama did not offer McCain a cabinet job, but focused on how the senator for Arizona could help to guide through Congress legislation that they both strongly favour. Given Obama's status as president-in-waiting, the two met in a formal setting, a room decked out with a US flag, and were accompanied by senior advisers. Obama appeared the more relaxed of the two, sitting with legs crossed, smiling broadly and waving to reporters, while McCain sat stiffly, with a seemingly fixed grin. Although the two clashed during the election campaign over tax policy and withdrawal from Iraq, they have more in common than they have differences. They both favour the closure of the Guantánamo Bay detention centre, an increase in US troops to Afghanistan, immigration reform, stem cell research and measures to tackle climate change, and oppose torture and the widespread use of wire-tapping. Although Democrats made gains in the Senate in the November 4 elections, they fell short of the 60 seats that would have allowed them to override Republican blocking tactics and will need Republican allies to get Obama's plans through. This was highlighted today when the Democratic leadership in Congress announced that a broad economic stimulus package Obama sought was not likely to be passed because of Republican opposition. Obama confirmed at the weekend that he would offer jobs to some Republicans. One of the names that crops up most often is Chuck Hagel, the former Republican senator who is a specialist in foreign affairs and a critic of the Iraq war. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/nov/1...retary-of-state Edited November 18, 2008 by tazinib1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SheikYerbuti Posted November 18, 2008 Share Posted November 18, 2008 Taking the torch of "smoking hot Sec of State" from Madeleine Albright Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pig devilz Posted November 18, 2008 Share Posted November 18, 2008 i've had my head buried in work most of the day...did he offer it to her? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Double Agent Posted November 18, 2008 Share Posted November 18, 2008 I can't stop laughing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ursa Majoris Posted November 18, 2008 Share Posted November 18, 2008 State is located at Foggy Bottom, so she won't be in the White House. Good move by Obama on many levels, assuming it pans out. Hasn't been offered yet as far as I know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riffraff Posted November 18, 2008 Share Posted November 18, 2008 Keep your friends close and... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ursa Majoris Posted November 18, 2008 Share Posted November 18, 2008 Keep your friends close and... That's one of the levels I was referring to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H8tank Posted November 18, 2008 Share Posted November 18, 2008 Hope! CHANGE!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaP'N GRuNGe Posted November 18, 2008 Share Posted November 18, 2008 I hope this doesn't come to pass. I really think Richardson would be much better suited for the position. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AtomicCEO Posted November 18, 2008 Share Posted November 18, 2008 How many people would she have to kill to become president? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaP'N GRuNGe Posted November 18, 2008 Share Posted November 18, 2008 How many people would she have to kill to become president? Two. Obama and then get Biden to appoint her VP. Then buh-bye Joe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moneymakers Posted November 18, 2008 Share Posted November 18, 2008 Bosnia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cre8tiff Posted November 18, 2008 Share Posted November 18, 2008 [LBJ] I'd rather have them inside pissing out, than outside pissing in. [/LBJ] One of my favorite quotes of any President. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Front Row Posted November 18, 2008 Share Posted November 18, 2008 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmy Neutron Posted November 18, 2008 Share Posted November 18, 2008 This is Obama's revenge against Bill. In order for Hillary to get the nod here, Bill will have to give up a lot of what he is doing. Large speaking fees, donations to his library - he'll need to forego these in Hillary's interest if she's to get the position. Just heard that on the news, anyway. If true, Bill has to be completely steamed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLIND HOMER Posted November 18, 2008 Share Posted November 18, 2008 wait till he appoints some Republicans.. the neocons will go nuts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DemonKnight Posted November 18, 2008 Share Posted November 18, 2008 Bosnia Yes, Bill did well in Bosnia but I don't think that will transfer over to Iraq. She is a bit hawkish on foreign policy for my taste. I don't think her taking this cabinet position bodes well for immediate withdraw from Iraq. I would prefer Richardson as well. I really like the guy and think he is exactly the mind we need in the office at this point in history. We need someone who can mend wounds and Richardson is that person, IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaP'N GRuNGe Posted November 18, 2008 Share Posted November 18, 2008 Yes, Bill did well in Bosnia but I don't think that will transfer over to Iraq. She is a bit hawkish on foreign policy for my taste. I don't think her taking this cabinet position bodes well for immediate withdraw from Iraq. I would prefer Richardson as well. I really like the guy and think he is exactly the mind we need in the office at this point in history. We need someone who can mend wounds and Richardson is that person, IMO. I think he's referring to her comments about dodging imaginery sniper fire. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Holy Roller Posted November 18, 2008 Share Posted November 18, 2008 But she'll be pissing out, not in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
isleseeya Posted November 18, 2008 Share Posted November 18, 2008 Good ..Clinton's inthe white house always makes it exciting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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