A Wrinkle in the Obama-Clinton Negotiations
EmailBehind the scenes of the Obama Transition Team’s vetting of the finances of former President Bill Clinton in order for Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-NY, to be named Secretary of State, a complication has emerged.
Sources say the complication is not what Bill Clinton is willing to disclose in terms of the people who have donated to his presidential library or his charitable organizations; those names are being provided to the Obama Transition Team, led by John Podesta, who was also Bill Clinton’s White House chief of staff.
What seems more potentially problematic is not revealing what’s happened in the past — but what the Obama Team wants to do about the future.
The view from Camp Clinton is that the Obama Team would too severely restrict what Bill Clinton is able to do to simply make a living. One source says the Obama Team seems to think it can demand that the former president abide by the restrictions put on a general government official, which just isn’t tenable.
There has even been talk of the Obama White House wanting to approve every speech the former President Gives gives, or any new source of income.
And while the former President’s team says he’s willing to disclose that information ahead of time, they aren’t willing to submit each speech opportunity for approval.
George H.W. Bush had no similar restrictions when he son was President, Clinton advocates say. Why would Bill Clinton have to stop doing what former presidents do — traveling the world, giving speeches, raising money for charitable works — when his wife is a mere Cabinet official?
The view is that this is the portfolio of a former President; to eliminate it — especially when Hillary Clinton still has more than $6 million in debt from her campaign — is unreasonable.
There has been some pushback from the Clinton Team on some of the restrictions they feel are way too severe.
None of which is to say the Obama-Clinton folks won’t be able to come to some sort of agreement. Just that it’s a bit complicated as of right now.
The Obama folks would not comment.
Ambinder reported on this tonight as well HERE.
- jpt
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Obama dont turn into a control freak especially when you havent done much to eliminate Hillary’s debt. I really think team obama was betting on Hillary/Bill not giving in on this so they can say well we offered but she didnt cooperate. Bill will not restrict what he can earn.
Posted by: rachel | November 18, 2008, 9:09 pm 9:09 pm
Hillary just say no. Obama is too much drama.
Posted by: Wake Up America | November 18, 2008, 9:16 pm 9:16 pm
Does Hillary even want the job?
Posted by: Kara | November 18, 2008, 9:20 pm 9:20 pm
It is important to put everything on the table for discussions. Let us not have very short memories here. Let us remember that Bill has received money for a lecture in Colombia and he and Pen were discussing with Urube a free trade agreement when Hillary was just a candidate for primaries. The economical and political situation does not allow any disctractions and that is what Obama and Hillary understand and Bill remains an issue.
Posted by: BKMC | November 18, 2008, 9:27 pm 9:27 pm
rachel — This really has nothing to do about Slick Willies earning ability. He needs nothing more than what he already has, he’s wealthy beyond all imagination. BHO just wants to be sure that Willie doesn’t p**s in the pot and make things difficult for him.
Posted by: roscoe02 | November 18, 2008, 9:36 pm 9:36 pm
While I think Hillary would do a fantastic job as SoS, I had my reservations about her making herself dependent on Obama’s administration. This proves my reservations were founded. Way too risky. She needs to run as far away as possible from these people. They have no idea what they’re doing. HRC needs to stay independent in the Senate and let Obama’s Chicago crew’s thirst for power dig their own grave. After reading this, I hope Obama picks a spineless loser – i.e. Kerry or Richardson – and serves the world up the first major mistake of his administration.
Posted by: The Final Straw | November 18, 2008, 9:37 pm 9:37 pm
kara I beleive she would like it, but she is not gonna take it at the expense of her husband beign able speak and raise money for issues for what he beleives in. Obama wants to put a rope around bills neck and pull on it when they fill necessary. Bill wont have that and neither will Hillary, what other ex president does Obama think he can control If he is doing all this Obama didnt want her to have the job anyway. If Hillary says no fine stick in the sentate and step on Obama’s neck about his healthcare promises.
Posted by: rachel | November 18, 2008, 9:38 pm 9:38 pm
ok, i was always a hillary supporter and i went with obama because she said so. and voted for obama.
and because i wanted this historic moment
and i didn’t think john mccain and palin were what we needed in these times.
but enough is enough.
from this obama and crew are crazy,
you should not be trying to stop a former president from doing what former presidents do.
not fair, not fair, not fair,
so the best thing for sen. clinton to do is just say no.
the NEED for obama to need her in this postion is greater than she needs this position.
she is good where she is.
obama needs to go to his second string
and get his sos.
and stop with trying to get the clinton people anyway.
she does not need the sos.
don’t take it hillary.
forget all of this stuff of trying to get into the clinton’ business.
the people who are always critizing the clinton’ and trying to call them out on things are the ones who keep them in the spotlight.
if the clinton haters don’t want them around, leave them alone, and let them get on with doing the good they want to do.
my god, obama get your own people.
where are your people,
where are the people who helped you get elected.
hillary don’t do it.
Posted by: What? | November 18, 2008, 9:41 pm 9:41 pm
This is not Obama doing this….it is his team of protectors….making sure he has the right people watching his back.
Posted by: orangecat | November 18, 2008, 9:42 pm 9:42 pm
BKMC, that was an intelligent post. You struck the perfect cord. Bill was an embarassment to hill during the campaign. i guess thats what Obama is scared of. At the same time, there are too many leaks from the Obama transition team. I guess thats as a result of having too many new people. They cant keep a secret no longer and are messing up the discreteness of the Obama team. i think they should bring in a code of conduct. They are turning the whole process into a mess. When it was Obama, Plouffe and Axelrod, very little leaked out.
Posted by: vuzous | November 18, 2008, 9:43 pm 9:43 pm
I really don’t believe a thing obama says. he lied about ayers, he lied about wright, and now he is lying about green house gases. there is no significant man made global warming obama just a ponzi scheme set up by the politicians.
Posted by: jake | November 18, 2008, 9:44 pm 9:44 pm
rosco02, who are you to say when someone has to much money?
you don’t know anything about those people’ affairs.
obama has no right to try and do to this president what has not been done to any other president.
sen. clinton need to tell obama to
“take your job and shove it”
Posted by: What? | November 18, 2008, 9:45 pm 9:45 pm
Why would Bill Clinton have to stop doing what former presidents do — traveling the world when his wife is a mere Cabinet official?
What do you mean “mere cabinet official” … you are talking about one of the three or four most influential pesons on the relationships the US maintains with other countries. Like saying Cheney was “merely” vice president or Pelosi is “merely” speaker of the house. These are important positions that clearly impact the future wellbeing of the US and its citizens.
Of course there are conditions attached. Of course there is an expectation that a cabinet member is free from undue influence.
A little reality here would be a good thing.
Posted by: OneObservation | November 18, 2008, 9:48 pm 9:48 pm
No matter what Obama should remember that Bill Clinton is an Ex-President and still goes with that title President Bill Clinton. He should not allow the transition team to be treating Bill with disrespect. Too many leaks, please. No matter the differences, it should never be leaked to the Press. They can always sort things out.
Posted by: vuzous | November 18, 2008, 9:49 pm 9:49 pm
bkmc,
so true, and therefore, sen. clinton should just stay in the senate.
let obama get some of HIS people to be Sec. of State.
Hill does not need the Sec. of st. job.
she is good in the senate.
obama as president with HIS own SOS.
sen. clinton in the senate
and president clinton working his CGI
doing the good around the world he has been doing. that is what presidents do.
Posted by: What? | November 18, 2008, 9:50 pm 9:50 pm
oneobservation,
sen. clinton should stay in the senate
let obama pick his sos from some of his friends.
anyway,
obama promised CHANGE
now that he is trying to surround himself with all of the people sen. clinton would have been hiring anyway.
where is the change.
surely he had someone other than clinton people in mind that he wanted to bring forth.
the people bill clinton had in his campaign, and brought on board were his young up and coming people.
where are obama’ up and coming people
Posted by: What? | November 18, 2008, 9:54 pm 9:54 pm
re: Posted by: rachel | Nov 18, 2008 9:09:53 PM
Can someone explain why people think that Obama has any obligation to pay Hillary’s campaign debt? She made the conscious decision to stay in the race even after being mathematically eliminated … which probably acounts for a big chunk of that multi-million dollar debt. Had she gracefully bowed out, her campaign would have incurred significantly less in expenses.
Posted by: OneObservation | November 18, 2008, 9:56 pm 9:56 pm
What? I never said he has too much money, I said he has more than he knows what to do with! So, if Obama wants to hire Hillary, it should be of no concern of anyone’s if Slick Willie needs to curtail his current affairs. It certainly will not be a pesrsonal hardship on the Clintons. And if he wants to tell BHO to go screw himself—- that would be even more hillarious!
Posted by: roscoe02 | November 18, 2008, 9:57 pm 9:57 pm
What: I disagree with you. What Obama is trying to do by choosing the Clinton people, he knows that he has no knowledge of politics or foreign policy and he needs the most experienced administration. And Clinton had the best. Does he want to be a second Bill Clinton? I certainly think so. However, he asks for too much personal information and a former president has the right to make speeches where ever he wants and for whom he wants. Bill should draw the line on that. He isn’t applying for a job in Obama’s administration plus he doesn’t need one. He is a former president and he was one of the best. Obama doesn’t need a whole biography on the person to okay them. No one vetted him when he said he was campaigning for the presidency.
Posted by: Mariann Pepitone | November 18, 2008, 9:57 pm 9:57 pm
re: Posted by: What? | Nov 18, 2008 9:54:19 PM
I agree … if the terms are not acceptable, then the offeree needs to walk away from the offer.
But I don’t think the terms of the offer should be negotiable. The position is too important to have looming questions about conflicts of interest for the next four years.
Posted by: OneObservation | November 18, 2008, 10:02 pm 10:02 pm
If it’s true, then that’s a completely unnecessary, intrusive and self-inflicted complication.
When I worked on Capitol Hill, I drew very clear boundaries regarding what were acceptable and unacceptable demands of my job upon how my family and I lived our lives and conducted our personal affairs. Disclosure of financial holdings, that was okay. Dictating to my wife, who was not on the congressional payroll, what she could and could not do professionally was not.
The need to exercise control is symptomatic of a general lack of confidence on the part of a boss or supervisor. If President-elect Obama doesn’t trust Bill Clinton, then he should not offer his wife the job of Secretary of State. But just as importantly, he should also not publicly tender an offer to Hillary Clinton with unacceptable conditions attached.
Posted by: Donald from Hawaii | November 18, 2008, 10:02 pm 10:02 pm
One Observation it is a mere cabinet position one were Obama could terminate her at his will whenever he felt like and she gives up her senate seat and Obama steps on Bills neck and gets rid of hillary in 1-4 years and then what? Obama laughs? Hillary or bill are not going to let Obama have that much control over Bill. So it brings me back to I would love to see Hillary in the position but while Obama intended to leak the offer he never intended to make where Hillary woul feel comfortable accepting the terms especially when they are harser then any other person applying for a cabinet position. It’s said Hillary is very talented but she continues to be punished for being Bill’s wife.
Posted by: rachel | November 18, 2008, 10:04 pm 10:04 pm
Just like the two-faced One. To offer Hillary the position of SOS and then set the bar for getting it too high.
He doesn’t really want her to be SOS.
This is just a power-play on his part so he can say “I offered it to her, but she refused” all the while hoping to pull her supporters over for his next run.
I hope Hillary DOES tell him to stick the SOS job where the sun doesn’t shine and to go play his sick, twisted games with Kerry or Richardson.
I have no doubt if she does accept the position of SOS she will live to regret it.
She should remember, Obama never takes responsibility for things that are wrong or go wrong – ever.
The buck will never stop with Obama. Instead, it will be used to smear other people so he can remain “clean.”
We saw it all through the campaign, and by now, we all should know – Obama will not change just because he has finally reached the position that is actually above his pay grade.
Posted by: leelee.again | November 18, 2008, 10:05 pm 10:05 pm
My dear people,
why r u unloading on Obama?
For those who say Hill won’t take the job if it means too much restriction on Bill, you must be JOKING. The man cheated on her. The man pretty much messed up her chances at the presidency. What do you think she owes him?
On the other hand, Obama is trying to PROTECT her/her job from her own husband. If Bill ends up undermining her job as SoS, it will be her who will take the fall more than Obama. If he appointed someone less known, he would be the primary target of the failures of that appointee; but with Hill she is so well known that it will be her taking the fires. Remember Obama has other areas where he can make his mark. He can even have his VP do the foreign policy work if she ends up not doing a good job. But Hill only has one shot at making a success out of her job. And I’m SURE she is more than happy that Obama is vetting the life out of Bill.
Finally she has someone who can deal with her husband on her behalf. FINALLY. it must be o-happy days up in Hillaryland.
Posted by: Question | November 18, 2008, 10:10 pm 10:10 pm
Hope things are worked out so Hillary can assume this most important portfolia for which she is qualified and will be an excellent SOS. Obama is one cool cat! He will be the coolest president we have ever and probably will ever have. The guy is bright and brilliant and cool! he thinks and seeks advice before he makes a decision and he does not hold grudges..he lets bygones be bygones…I am amazed at how this guy just forgives and moves on..he forgave Judas Lieberman for all the nasty things he said during the campaign and also didn’t you guy noticed how cool Obama was during the debates when McSame was spewing all the lies about Ayers and socialism! My man Obama was just cool! Now, thats the kind of president we need for these times..the man is a true christian(forgiveness is biblical)..Obama is quite unlike Jesse(I’ll rip his balls off)Jackson and Al(ambulance chaser)Sharpton..these two men can learn a thing or two from Barack Obama..All my Republican friends are now telling me how amazed they are at Obama’s ability to forgive and bring people together..there are a lot of Obama republican converts..Obama loves this country and will do exceptionally well if the Republicans don’t try to give him a difficult time as I will try to do.
Posted by: Stanley | November 18, 2008, 10:10 pm 10:10 pm
One observation in regards to Hillary debt I will tell you why I personally think he has an obligation to assist her. Because he asked for her help campaigning for him and she did when all she merely had to do was concede and give a speech at the dnc she did much more. Because she helped him raise 10 million for him since June and the most important reason he gave his word he woud do his best to help her and to this date all he did was ask maybe twice and once he had to run back up to the mike because he “forgot”/,but I guess his word on helping her was as good as his word on public finance.
Posted by: rachel | November 18, 2008, 10:11 pm 10:11 pm
Sorry for the typo at the end of my last post..the last few words were really meant to read “As I know they(Republicans) will try to do” Barack is my president and I am proud of him..He’s a cool cat!
Posted by: Stanley | November 18, 2008, 10:13 pm 10:13 pm
oneobservation,
correct, and i think sen. clinton should walk away from this.
let obama get his own sos, from his own stable, if you will, of people.
sen. clinton is good in the senate.
bill is good doing what he has been doing.
obama, after having finally brought sen. clinton’ 18mil supporters on board
should have just let this stuff die down.
let sleeping…you know the saying.
but no, he had to bring this stuff up again.
i, as a supporter of sen. clinton had resigned myself to the fact that the best one did not win, and she would just go back to the senate.
for me, this is a disaster.
and now i am with the ones who think this is all some kind of chicago slick scheme, sen. clinton and bill have done enough for obama. they should stay away from him.
obama wanted in the big pond, and he got it, time for him to swim on his own.
Posted by: What? | November 18, 2008, 10:17 pm 10:17 pm
Thought this was all about CHANGE???????????Guess he does not honor his own words,.I am not happy with him right now.All he has done is pick all the GD old Clinton people,,,,
Posted by: NH voter | November 18, 2008, 10:18 pm 10:18 pm
Question despite popular belief I beleive Hillary loves Bill despite his faults and she’s not let Obama stamp on his you know what’s. You are orrect in that any failure in foreign policy would be attributed to Hillary if she was SOS and that probably one of the main reasons Obama wants her, he wont be able to keep his promises about the war and when he sends more troops to afganastan and more casualties mount there Hillary would take the fall not Obama. I think Hillary would be good at the job but only if Obama plans on keeping his promises and not making Hillary the fall girl for things he can’t get done.
Posted by: rachel | November 18, 2008, 10:19 pm 10:19 pm
Roscoe02: Good for you. I hope he tells him that too. Obama wants to dig into people’s personal life and their financial holdings, and who donated the money. Also, he wants the NRA to fill out a long application of personal history before buying their guns. I said it when he was campaigning and I still believe I am right. He wants to rule this country and the people better start waking up and think before they put him in office again. I see nothing but disaster’s ahead after he is sworn in. And if Obama wants Hillary as his Sec. of State why didn’t he choose her as his VP?
Posted by: Mariann Pepitone | November 18, 2008, 10:21 pm 10:21 pm
Question — I agree! Now she has somone she can go to and say, hey, what is my husband up to?? And they should be able to tell her!! Oh, Willies so screwed!
Posted by: roscoe02 | November 18, 2008, 10:22 pm 10:22 pm
question,
sen. clinton does not need obama to deal with her husband,
nor does she need the sos position.
let him get his own people.
what is between sen. clinton and her husband is their business.
obama has his own marriage to tend to.
michelle as much as called him a lie
on sixty minutes when talking about washing dishes.
once again obama needs sen. clinton more than she needs him.
Posted by: What? | November 18, 2008, 10:33 pm 10:33 pm
Did Obama choose Hillary so that he could control Bill? It is starting to sound like it.
What better way to stop an internationally popular former President from publicly disagreeing with you?
Posted by: MayBee | November 18, 2008, 10:40 pm 10:40 pm
Mr Obama is an appeaser.
He putting it our for Hillary just to appease and make out like he is the good guy.
By making Godly demands that someone can not do What every other President has done in the past. Is just making a reason, for an excuse not to give the position to Hillary.
The Obama way, so he can say I tried, it is not my fault.
That should not surpise anyone at all.
Posted by: seah | November 18, 2008, 10:47 pm 10:47 pm
What?— I`m really not sure that you’re right on this one. No one knew what slick Willie was up to in the Oval Office until it all came out in the wash (the Blue Dress). So, I’m sure Hillary would appreciate all the help she can get. Beyond that, I doubt that BHO needs all of this drama. He’s better off finding someone who can bring real change to the administration. We don’t need more of the same!
Posted by: roscoe02 | November 18, 2008, 10:49 pm 10:49 pm
MayBee—————No one will ever be able to control Slick Willie! His wife can’t control him! It will never happen!
Posted by: roscoe02 | November 18, 2008, 10:56 pm 10:56 pm
roscoe02,
i am in agreement with you on your last two statements.
obama needs to pick a sos from some of his own people.
richardson, i think is owed something from obama for his support of him
let obama go ahead and give it to richardson.
what is up with all the drama around this?
sen. clinton has a job,
bill has his work
obama has his job.
let him find some of HIS loyalist to fill the sos positon.
leave the clinton’ along.
and if this is some kind of chicago style political move,
and he thinks he is yanking sen. clinton around and her husband around,
it will only come back to bite him.
the clinton’ are smart.
obama and co. outsmarted her with the campaigning.
but i think if he keeps up with this stuff with the clinton’ esp. sen. clinton.
he will only be seen as some slick himself.
obama, leave the clinton’ alone.
Posted by: What? | November 18, 2008, 10:59 pm 10:59 pm
If Hillary is smart, she’ll realize this is nothing more than a stunt Obama is using to neutralize her in 2012. Her best move would be to politely turn him down and start a whispering campaign telling people she refused the position because she feels his foreign policy positions are naive and dangerous. Obama is going to be a one term President and she needs to start positioning herself now for the 2012 election.
Posted by: Sarah Evans | November 19, 2008, 12:12 am 12:12 am
The bottom line is that Bill Clinton is not willing to step back in favor of his wife’s career. After all she’s done for him, that makes him a louse.
Posted by: Dema | November 19, 2008, 12:42 am 12:42 am
dema,
you don’t know the clinton’ bottom line.
you don’t know what who has done for who.
you should just say if you were in this type of situation this is what you would do.
and whoever you are having to do it to,
would be your louse.
folks should stop projecting what they feel and would do, onto the clintons’
you give the clinton’ way more power than they really deserve. they are good public servants, both,
but please, stop making them “all that”
in your life.
Posted by: What? | November 19, 2008, 1:29 am 1:29 am
Bill promised Hillary it was her time. She stuck by his side when he was a cheating jerk. It is her turn.
Posted by: Julie | November 19, 2008, 1:30 am 1:30 am
Simply solution. It’s time for Hilary to divoice Bill. Problem solved.
Posted by: MM | November 19, 2008, 1:33 am 1:33 am
sarah evans,
sen.clinton is smart, and i pray she will turn him down.
and let him find his own people.
but i cannot go with you on the whisper campaign.
why should sen.clinton have to resort to doing such a devious thing?
that would signal that she did not think she could win on her own merit.
and we all know she could.
she does not need to resort to such.
i chose to believe such is beneath her.
you have your opinion. that is just my opinion-she does not need to do such,
she can win outright, without underhanded crutches.
Posted by: What? | November 19, 2008, 1:34 am 1:34 am
MM,
clearly this is what YOU would do.
but just maybe, sen. clinton has her own mind.
i think she is a decent person.
with a good upbringing, she is way to high-classed to do such.
but wouldn’t the MSM think they had struck gold, if she did?
if sen. clinton left her husband of 30+years for a job with obama,
the msm will be so on that story,
until we will all be saying obama who?
because it will be wall to wall clinton.
all the time.
and MM, just think of how liberating it would be for bill and hill daugther Chelsea. And her mother, Mrs. Rodham.
the clinton’ marriage is still their business, a lot of people have affairs, and stay together, why do the clintons need to break-up.
obama can get his own sos, from his group of friends and his associates.
I know people should want to serve when the president ask them to, but
hill having to break-up her family, to work for obama? that is a bit much.
who else would do such?
I think hill should stay in senate,
and obama give us some change, as he
promised.
of all of the people he is associated with, surely he can find one person, to take a chance on saying this person is capable also?
Posted by: What? | November 19, 2008, 1:43 am 1:43 am
Ok, these stories are starting to contradict one another. How about we don’t write anything until you know something concrete.
Posted by: Jwench | November 19, 2008, 7:49 am 7:49 am
Simply solution. It’s time for Hilary to divoice Bill. Problem solved.
Posted by: MM | Nov 19, 2008 1:33:31 AM
I was thinking that…lol. Seems to me he is getting to be more of a hinderance to her career. I like them both, but Bill can be off the wall sometimes with his mouth!
Posted by: Jwench | November 19, 2008, 7:55 am 7:55 am
I initially thought this was a good idea. Now I think Obama should pull it back. There’s too much drama already…the Clintons simply can’t help themselves.
Posted by: Brooklyn Democrat | November 19, 2008, 8:52 am 8:52 am
it is not the clinton’ fault,
obama should have left sen. clintn alone.
she had gone back to her day job in the senate, and everyone was resigned to that.
and he does have many people associated withe the clinton’ and many voters did
think when he said change it did mean
competence from the bush adm.
but i thought he had a group of smart up and comers like himself. bright minds from his era, just waiting for their chance. never would i have thought after he dissed president clinton time in office, would he ever bring anyone closely associated with the clinton white house, it was a smart move, i thought he only would have needed one or two people to add to his own.
and this mess about president clinton would have to stop doing what he has been doing, as all presidents have done, is wrong.
and for people to comment here that the clinton’ marriage should break up,after 30+ years so she can have a job in the obama white house, is just un-christian.
and for obama to ask sen. clinton to be his sos, and then say but the president has to stop doing his work, is poor judgement. and wrong on obama’ part.
andrea mitchell did not break a story,
andrea mitchell has started a mess.
she is envious of sen. clinton, and only wants to cause trouble.
mitchell is a poor excuse for a news person, she should be running a gossip col. in dc. because that is all she is good for doing.
andrea mitchell’ show on msnbc, is the lames of all.
let sen. clinton stay in the senate
and run for POTUS next time.
and let obama get his own sos, from his group.
obama owes the sos to bill richardson.
for richardson supporting him.
Posted by: What? | November 19, 2008, 9:14 am 9:14 am
Hillary would be great for this position. She actually LOVES America, has EXPERIENCE, and will not NEGOTIATE with our terrorist enemies. When the Obamas try to have ahkmadenijead to the white house for dinner and a movie, Hillary will them “Hell NO!”. The Obama’s and their “associations” are dangerous to this country. Hillary will be a great asset for this country to make sure the obama’s don’t try to appt bill ayers to a cabinet position, or make rev wright press secretary.
Posted by: dave | November 19, 2008, 9:18 am 9:18 am
i thought rahm is supposed to be the guy who is so smart, and i still believe he is. but he should not have let this happen.
and he worked for president clinton,
he should have known better than to think sen. clinton should be sos, but tell the president clinton not to keep working.
it is foolishness.
and it is just wrong for the people on here who say the clinton home should break up, over this.
do you folks know people who break up their homes so easy?
let obama find himself a sos from among his own group.
Posted by: What? | November 19, 2008, 9:22 am 9:22 am
Let BO choose who he really wants….
Bill Ayers, Rev Wright or Rashid Khalidi.
Posted by: nick | November 19, 2008, 9:24 am 9:24 am
after reading this article by jpt.
Sen. clinton should say “thanks, but no thanks to obama’ offer of sos.”
she does not need it
let him find his own sos, from his own group.
seems it is time for obama to leave the clinton’ alone.
Posted by: What? | November 19, 2008, 9:25 am 9:25 am
The smartest people in the room see the move to put Hillary in State as a way Obama to remove a rival. Once installed in Foggy Bottom she will be marginalized, as foreign policy is run by the White House. Eventually, Obama will find a way to stab her in the back, as Bush did to Powell.
Hillary should stay far away from SoS. She should stay in the Senat where she can tend to her own agenda and be ready to pick up the pieces in 2012 after Obama self destructs.
Posted by: David H | November 19, 2008, 9:31 am 9:31 am
Though Hillary would be a great asset to our country as SOS, this manipulation by Obama makes it clear that she should say “thanks but no thanks” and remain in the Senate.
Obama’s inexperience and inability to accept responsibility will not bode well for those who serve under him. Hillary should not agree to serve in his administration in any capacity.
Posted by: marylou | November 19, 2008, 10:03 am 10:03 am
Hillary has the stature and the experience to push major healthcare reform through Congress. Nobody else comes close. Hillary has more credibility on healthcare than anyone. Her contribution to the country in getting healthcare passed will far outweight anything she can do at State; especially since the only reason Obama has for putting her at State is to emasculate her.
Posted by: David H | November 19, 2008, 11:06 am 11:06 am
David H -
I’m having a good laugh trying to envision how Obama could “emasculate” a woman. Senator Clinton would certainly have a part in health care reform but she’s a Junior Senator.
Senators Kennedy and Baucus are going to be the main movers on this. I think Kennedy will be looking to make this his legacy as he’s been an advocate for health care reform since he first came to the Senate in the 1960′s.
Posted by: Brooklyn Democrat | November 19, 2008, 11:19 am 11:19 am
I couldn’t for the life of me understand why the Democrats nominated Obama, now it is becoming very clear.
They are all still in love with Bill Clinton!
An objective look at Obama begs to wonder why the Democtrats picked a no-body who only has one outstanding fact of record, his obedience to the Party with his vote.
As Obama picks person after person from the Clinton Administration to build “his” Administration it is clear that Obama truly is just a Party Puppet! Still obedient, that’s a good BOY…
So much for fresh new CHANGE…
Posted by: Average American | November 19, 2008, 12:02 pm 12:02 pm
if kennedy knew how to get us to universal healthcare, he would have done it by now.
I really believe sen. clinton is the only one who knows how to get us to universal healthcare. she tried once before, she has learned even more now.
if it is left to kennedy or anyone other than clinton.
we will not have universal healthcare.
Posted by: u-n-i-t-y=UNITY | November 19, 2008, 12:11 pm 12:11 pm
oh, wait,
i know sen. kennedy can say “I am going to be the one who gives this country universal healthcare”
Secretary “get me sen. clinton on the phone”
“Hillary this is ted, hillary i am going to be the one who get universal healthcare for this country,now if you want to be shown to be a team player,
and a patriot. send me everything in your plan to get universal healthcare,
if this is what you really want for this country, you will give that plan to me, the country will have it, but you will just not be credited for doing it”
Posted by: u-n-i-t-y=UNITY | November 19, 2008, 12:14 pm 12:14 pm
I am begging Senator Clinton not to join the Obama team in any capacity.
They are trying to humilate her and her husband Bill a former President by making all these unreasonable demands on them just for a mere cabinet seat! No it is not worth it.
The Obama are just trying to pile vindictiveness on crime all in the name of “Team of Rivals” Hillary and Bill are too smart and I am sure they are aware that Obama is out to get them just to settle the old scrore – get it?
Please Senator Clinton, let Obama steer his own ship so that if it sinks he should not blame the Clintons – they are very enthusiastic in letting you down – don’t let them. PLEASE!
Also, yourhusband as a former President does not need to be humiliated by a rookie President from “Noman’s Land”
Nobody knows where he is coming from – all we know is that he dodges votes – a reflection of a indecisive mind – sorry President and Mrs. Clinton I know you love politics but this time around just sit this one out for the sake of your personal freedom and dignity. Since when has a rookie president invadedthe privacy of a former president and demand to know everything he is going to say and subject a former President to unnecessary humiliating actions?
Sorry the Clintons have worked very hard and we know where they are coming from – they don’t need to be told what to do and what to say when – by someone with a ZERO record. If you have any selfrespect – stay out of the Obama administration and enjoy your current selfrespect, selfesteem, authority and above all Freedom!!!!!
ENV
Posted by: etheldredah voyi | November 19, 2008, 12:30 pm 12:30 pm
Just say no Hillary. You are too classy for Obama.
Posted by: Wake Up America | November 19, 2008, 12:47 pm 12:47 pm
Change you can Xerox…………
From the Clinton Presidency.
Posted by: Anon | November 19, 2008, 1:44 pm 1:44 pm
Barry building himself a sinking ship and the crew will not throw him a life jacket!
Posted by: nick | November 19, 2008, 2:11 pm 2:11 pm
I really don’t understand why Obama wanted to bother with the Clintons’ endless drama as there are many far more qualified, experienced individuals for SOS than Senator Clinton.
He still can use her talents in appointing her to ‘Special’ roles without having to deal with the Bill issue. (No matter what Bill promises, we know no one can control him.)
Senator Clinton could retain her Senate seat and pay off her debt legally within the next four years.
Obama has helped her as much as he is legally allowed.
I might mention that the Clintons are as rich as Romney who has paid his own debt.
Posted by: susan | November 20, 2008, 4:59 am 4:59 am
I think Obama needs clinton to have a controversy. He keeps her on a short leash and she controls her husband. Obama would rather have her in his cabinet where she has no power compared to the senate where she can cause waves.
The old saying of keep your friends close and enemy even closer. That is what he is doing.
Posted by: Pam | November 20, 2008, 9:40 am 9:40 am
Obama is such a weak candidate/man he already needs to kneecap a former President’s good works.
Ridiculous….Obama only cares for himself.
Posted by: Caligirl | November 20, 2008, 11:03 am 11:03 am
Obama is just using this to distract attention from all the lawsuits filed in so many states challenging his qualifications to be President under the Constitution. Keep the attention on Hillary Clinton and try to find sympathetic judges who will continue to say that a “mere” U.S. citizen has no “status” to ask a Presidential wanna be to show his real “vault” birth certificate. So far it seems to be working. Meanwhile, in addition to using Hillary Clinton, Obama is also eroding Bill Clinton’s very legitimate way of making a living. Hillary Clinton should reject this SOS offer, resign from the Senate, and join Bill’s foundation full time to make speeches and alleviate some world plagues like AIDS in Africa. Now that’s real, positive, effective foreign policy.
Posted by: Mandelay3 | November 20, 2008, 11:40 am 11:40 am
One thing is obvious- if Obama is offering something to Hillary, it’s going to be in HIS best interest and most likely will be insulting to Hillary. That is what recent history tells us. That man is a snake.
Posted by: Oboner | November 20, 2008, 1:07 pm 1:07 pm
It’s obvious that Obama knows he is no equal to Bill Clinton. He is terrified this guy might just be better and outshine him. The guy is so pathetic it’s just shameful… honestly, who does he think he is?? It’s not like Obama has done really anything amazing, or worth mentioning, but Bill has saved millions of lives with his charities and now that is a problem??? OMG it is simply shocking. Obama doesn’t compare to Bill CLinton, he is so much less and it shows. I think the Clintons should give the guy the finger and move on.
Posted by: Radarmel | November 20, 2008, 1:24 pm 1:24 pm
Obama copied Hillary’s ideas throughout his candidacy. Now he needs her close to tell him what to do. Obama is the one person who knows better than anyone, HE IS IN OVER HIS HEAD. He needs Smart, even Brilliant people like Hillary Clinton who wake up in the morning and know how to begin their day. Obama has gone through life copying copying cutting and pasting others’ ideas and taking credit. He is so easily seen-through I am still aghast that people I consider intelligent have not done so. Having Hillary AND BILL close by, he can bend their ears morning noon and night and find out what to do. I guess all this talk about the FUTURE is just the Clintons reincarnated.
Posted by: Susan B. | November 20, 2008, 3:16 pm 3:16 pm