Hillary as Sec of State?

Fri, November 14, 2008 - 6:27 AM

This morning's buzz is whether Sen. Hillary Clinton could be the next secretary of state.

NBC News first reported last night that Clinton is "under consideration" by President-elect Barack Obama, according to unnamed sources. The Associated Press is also reporting the story. And today, everybody's talking about it.

NBC reported that Clinton traveled to Chicago, but even that hasn't been confirmed. Nobody's saying whether she met with Obama or his transition team if she did go to Chicago.

And if it's not Clinton, here are some other names that are being bandied about for the post: Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts, Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico and Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska.

The idea of Clinton as secretary of state appeals to her supporters, of course. But would it mean she has given up on being president? And how would her being secretary of state square with former President Bill Clinton's international business dealings? Could he be reined in? Her appointment also would reinforce criticism that Obama is populating his administration with Clintonites when he promised change.

-- Marsha Mercer