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The London Telegraph is reporting that part of Obama’s overture to Hillary Clinton to support his candidacy will include a cabinet post, likely HHS:
The former First Lady would get the chance to pilot Mr Obama’s reforms of the American healthcare system if she agrees to clear the path to his nomination as Democratic presidential candidate.
Senior figures in the Obama camp have told Democrat colleagues that the offer to Mrs Clinton of a cabinet post as health secretary or to steer new legislation through the Senate will be a central element of their peace overtures to the New York senator.
My guess here is that you don’t leave the senate for HHS. To become the first female defense secretary (if my knowledge of history is holding up), perhaps. Treasury secretary, I could see that happening too. Not HHS, however.
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You’re right. I can’t imagine her leaving the Senate to head HHS. For Defense or Attorney General: perhaps. Would she want to follow in Condi’s mincing footsteps? Does Senator Clinton own any Ferragamo pumps?
I agree….HHS is almost an insult, I’d bet she stays. I’m sure she’d take State or Defense if offered, but I doubt either of those is forthcoming.
What makes her qualified for treasury? Not saying she isn’t, but it’s the first time I’ve heard her suggested for that.
If I’m Obama, I want her in my administration. Because it’ll help heal wounds and because I think she’ll be effective. My problem is that in order to use her talents, the prestige jobs are poor choices. I’d like her in Education. I’d love to turn her lose to fix FEMA. Ambassador to Pakistan (Okay, I’m evil). All tough important jobs, but no prestige.
Boxturtle (My bet is she stays in the senate and tries to get Obama to let her control the DNC)
HHS is a great black hole of bureaucracy, so maybe this is a fitting end to her political career.
I don’t see why she would leave the Senate for a cabinet post, especially a relatively minor one like HHS. I guess it has lots of opportunities for patronage, but I think she’d be happier in the Senate where she can be her own boss.
Bosnia fantasies I think remove her from any defense post,that and AUMF, K/L
Oh, and clusterbombs
I think the main disqualifier for the key posts is that Defense and State are Obama’s weakest areas. IMO he needs to nominate STRONG people for those posts before the election. Wes Clark for defense, perhaps, and maybe Biden or BILL Clinton at State.
McBush is going to attack those weaknesses and Obama needs to be ready.
While speculating about a position for Hillary is nice, we need to keep in mind that there is a LOT of bad blood between them. Obama may not want Hillary anywhere near him and just let her go quietly back to the senate for a run in 2012.
Boxturtle (Obama’s ability to forgive is about to be tested)
I believe he will avoid nominating sitting Senators to those positions. We need all the seats we can get there to keep the Rs from playing their silly obstructionist games and blocking vital legislation.
He will avoid sitting senators who’s seat might be taken by a republican. If a Dem Governor gets to appoint or the special election is considered a lock, that senator is certainly in play.
Sen Kennedy will likely not run again regardless of the outcome of his surgery. But if it’s successful, a Cabinet position or UN ambassador might be a nice crown for his career.
Boxturtle (If not sitting senators, where’s Obama going to get the big names he needs?)