NYT: Hillary Clinton To Accept Secretary of State

by Todd Beeton, Fri Nov 21, 2008 at 09:53:16 AM EST

After more than a week of back and forth -- will he offer it, will she accept it, we now know not only that Barack will officially offer Hillary Clinton secretary of state, but now The New York Times is reporting that Hillary Clinton will indeed accept the job.

Hillary Rodham Clinton has decided to give up her Senate seat and accept the position of secretary of state, making her the public face around the world for the administration of the man who beat her for the Democratic presidential nomination, two confidants said Friday.
Mrs. Clinton came to her decision after additional discussion with President-elect Barack Obama about the nature of her role and his plans for foreign policy, said one of the confidants, who insisted on anonymity to discuss the situation. Mr. Obama's office told reporters Thursday that the nomination is "on track" but Clinton associates only confirmed Friday afternoon that she has decided.
"She's ready," said the confidant. Mrs. Clinton was reassured after talking again with Mr. Obama because their first meeting in Chicago last week "was so general," the confidant said. The purpose of the follow-up talk, he added, was not to extract particular concessions but "just getting comfortable" with the idea of working together.
A second Clinton associate confirmed that her camp believes they have a done deal. Senior Obama advisers said Friday morning that the offer had not been formally accepted and no announcement will be made until after Thanksgiving. But they said they were convinced that the nascent alliance was now ready to be sealed.

Update [2008-11-21 15:7:18 by Todd Beeton]:Some context on all the back and forth from Ben Smith:

A Democrat close to Hillary says that the reported ambivalence about taking State was real.
She "said 'no' then 'yes,'" I'm told.

Tags: Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, secretary of state (all tags)

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Re: NYT: Hillary Clinton To Accept SOS

Jan 20 can't come fast enough! I can't wait to see his team in action!

by viperlmw 2008-11-21 10:01AM | 0 recs

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Her Replacement?

Do we know how Senators are replaced in NY? Appointment? Special election?

by Dreorg 2008-11-21 10:04AM | 0 recs

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Re: Her Replacement?

Paterson will have to appoint someone. The in 2010 there will be a special election and another election in 2012 (when the seat is up) for a full term.

by RJEvans 2008-11-21 10:18AM | 0 recs

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Re: Her Replacement?

Thanks!

by Dreorg 2008-11-21 10:55AM | 0 recs

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Has Broder Had a Brain Transplant?

I'm shocked:

What Obama needs in the person running the State Department is a diplomat who will carry out his foreign policy. He does not need someone who will tell him how to approach the world or be his mentor in international relations. One of the principal reasons he was elected was that, relying on his instincts, he came to the correct conclusion that war with Iraq was not in America's interest. He was more right about that than most of us in Washington, including Hillary Clinton.

He's right about something for once!

Obama was right about the war and Hillary was wrong and it cost her the nomination, because she refused to admit it and apologize for it.

Hillary would be better off remaining in the Senate and using her influence to shape health care policy. She doesn't seem interested in that though.

I'm not opposed to the pick, because it will at least put Bill Clinton to some useful end.

As Lyndon Johnson said: "It's better to have him inside the tent pissing out, than outside pissing in."

by Cugel 2008-11-21 05:07PM | 0 recs

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Re: Has Broder Had a Brain Transplant?

You're very cynical aren't you?

by RJEvans 2008-11-21 09:20PM | 0 recs

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On planet Jupiter, Josh Marshall's head exploded

by ann0nymous 2008-11-21 10:07AM | 0 recs

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Tom Harkin raised an interesting point

According to the Des Moines Register:

[Harkin] also said Obama naming her would be a demonstration of unity to the world. Sen. Clinton and Obama waged an intense, six-month campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination this year.

"I think it would send a good signal to the world if Hillary Clinton were secretary of state," Harkin said. "The signal it sends to the world is we can have big fights politically here in the United States and yet after the election's over, we pull together."

by desmoinesdem 2008-11-21 10:15AM | 0 recs

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Re: Tom Harkin raised an interesting point

Thanks for the quote from Harkin. This is a good metaphor for how allies and rivals can disagree but ultimately work together.

Our allies already love/admire/respect Hillary and are excited about Barack. My friends overseas favored Hillary early on in particular for her strength in foreign policy.

We have already regained the respect of so many. And the "bad guys" won't be able to hide behind opposition to W and all the rotten things he's done anymore. Our confrontations are cast in a totally different light.

It's no longer the hypocritical bully versus the downtrodden thugs. From now on it's the fair minded, forward-looking, reasonable power that the world looks up to against the troublemakers who just can't manage to get along.

To think it was that way just 7 years ago, until... well, you all know how W screwed up everything.

by nintendofanboy 2008-11-21 11:17AM | 0 recs

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OT: I seem to have lost rec/rate

I posted in Jerome's thread about polls, but not in any disparaging way about Jerome.

May someone please look into this?

Sure, I have been known to harangue freeper and puma trolls, but I have written several diaries, some of which have made it on to the rec list.

by iohs2008 2008-11-21 10:17AM | 0 recs

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Re: OT: I seem to have lost rec/rate

Let me know if you figure it out.

I have received nothing but positive ratings and feedback from everything I've posted, yet I've lost ability to rate:-(

I think I hide rated the wrong person and that was it.

Anyway, I look to my own list of 2.0 ratings and positive responses as proof that I am not trolling or flaming anyone...

by nintendofanboy 2008-11-21 11:20AM | 0 recs

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Re: OT: I seem to have lost rec/rate

I have hidden/TR'd people, but only those who are, well, trolling. That is what it's there for?

I find this unusual, because I have actually been a defender of Jerome, and I have written a handful of diaries that all received positive feedback.

by iohs2008 2008-11-21 11:50AM | 0 recs

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Whats the point of posting first?

The New York times might be involved in a little deal where the Senator from New York wants an aura of inevitability.

When the Obama team announces it, then it will be final. The whole exercise of someone being able to break this story before anyone else doesn't add to the process.

I still think Bill Richardson is a better guy for the job.

by Trey Rentz 2008-11-21 10:28AM | 0 recs

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Re: Whats the point of posting first?

Ask yourself this, who was the last major Obama appointment that was announced FIRST by Obama? No one. Every appointment has been leaked to the press first.

by RJEvans 2008-11-21 10:38AM | 0 recs

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Re: Whats the point of posting first?

In other news, Tim Geithner is being leaked to MSNBC as Obama's choice for Treasury.

Do you think there's a little deal between MSNBC and ... geez, I don't know?

Once again, if it's about Hillary, it's gotta be slimy. Am I reading you correctly?

by Sieglinde 2008-11-21 10:40AM | 0 recs

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Hillary at State

I think she is going to be magnificent, both in pressing those issues that have always been meaningful to her, privately, and publicly carrying out the foreign policy of this administration.

I admire the sacrifice she is making, because I do believe it is one, of her Senate seat for the uncertainty (career uncertainty) involved in taking a Cabinet post. I believe she has put the interests of the country above her own.

by mady 2008-11-21 10:47AM | 0 recs

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Re: Hillary at State

Well said. She is taking a risk careerwise, but I'm glad she is willing to do it. She really does bring the "total package" to this administration.

She bolsters our standing in the world as Sec of State just as much as Barack bolsters our standing by his election to the WH. She fills in those few things that Obama was lacking in terms of experience and continuity.

Not that Obama is naive or easily pushed around, but Hillary clears the table of all of that BS so we can get down to business, dare I say it, on day one;-)

by nintendofanboy 2008-11-21 11:39AM | 0 recs

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Re: Hillary at State

No actually I think Obama clears that table, and I don't think it's a good idea because she fills his lacks. I simply don't see that he lacks anything she has. That was not my perspective.

She simply is very good, very smart, very able to communicate what she needs to, and with a terrific sense of priorities.

by mady 2008-11-21 01:59PM | 0 recs

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Re: Hillary at State

She can always run as Governor of a state once she is done with this.

by Pravin 2008-11-21 02:23PM | 0 recs

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Good to Get it Over With

With the nation facing it's greatest economic crisis since the Great Depression, Obama had to get this Secretary of State story behind us. The world is beginning to lose patience over the Secretary of Treasury nomination. Any more delays and people will begin to lose confidence that Obama has the skill to deal with the economy. It's good that he apparently has chosen a Secretary of Treasurer.

by Zzyzzy 2008-11-21 10:51AM | 0 recs

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Re: NYT: Hillary Clinton To Accept Secretary of St

I guess the message to Israel and Palestine is if Obama and Clinton can resolve this then two thousand years of regional enmity shouldn't prove an obstacle to a peaceful, enduring 'two state' solution. This is a potentially brilliant gamble by all concerned. I will be watching the reaction in the Israeli press with great interest. Any bets on Bibi winning the next election? This could be very interesting.

by Shaun Appleby 2008-11-21 11:32AM | 0 recs

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Re: NYT: Hillary Clinton To Accept Secretary of St

Maybe the message to them should be if the US can overcome its racial and cultural biases and elect a black guy, then you should be able to set your own aside and act like grownups.

by nintendofanboy 2008-11-21 12:56PM | 0 recs

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Not my first choice, but it's a good move

See this is where I can live with Obama doing things for slightly political purposes because unlike the Lieberman case, here, we have a candidate, who may not be my dream candidate for SEc of State, will still do a fine job as Sec of State.

This is one appointment I have no problems with.

by Pravin 2008-11-21 02:22PM | 0 recs

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CLinton senior advisor denies

Philippe Raines, Clinton senior advisor, issued a statement contradicting this report today a little after six PM

by lojasmo 2008-11-21 03:16PM | 0 recs