Hillary update

Posted By Blake Hounshell Friday, November 14, 2008 - 11:20 AM Share

Turns out Hillary Clinton's "personal" trip to Chicago involves meeting personally with President-elect Barack Obama at his transition headquarters. Mike Allen:

President-elect Barack Obama met Thursday with Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) at his transition headquarters in Chicago as a growing chorus of advisers pushes her for secretary of state. [...]

A clue to the secret visit was contained in a note last night from the protective pool of journalists who follow Obama: "Several minutes before President-elect Obama's motorcade emerged from the basement garage beneath his transition headquarters, another unidentified motorcade of approximately three SUVs left the garage."

I must admit to being mystified by the Hillary choice. Yes, she campaigned hard during the general election. but she was pretty clear during the Democratic primary that she views Obama as dangerously naive, someone far too willing to negotiate with leaders of rogue states. She never fully repudiated her support for the Iraq war. There are qualified people out there -- Richard Holbrooke comes to mind -- who are far more practiced in the dark arts of diplomacy. So what does she bring to the table?

A guess: Bringing her on board neutralizes a potential rival who might use her Senate platform to undercut the president.

More here from CNN.

UPDATE: Andrew Sullivan loves it:

I think making her secretary of state is an inspired idea. [...] It's an elegant and shrewd move; both public spirited and yet coldly calculating at the same time. Pure Obama.

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DURF

12:52 PM ET

November 14, 2008

I think what she brings to

I think what she brings to the table is largely political influence & connections. It looks like a strategy to help get things done in Congress, and to tap into the "Clinton machine". And it gives the administration a little more experience. Maybe he realizes he's naieve. It'll be interesting, if she gets it, to see how much of a leash she is on.

I would agree there are more qualified candidates in terms of knowledge and experience in foreign affairs. But as far as legistlation goes, she might be able to open up some doors for him.

It also gives him a high-profile scapegoat if things don't go so well.

 

WHATYOUMUSTREAD.BLOGSPOT.COM

1:43 PM ET

November 16, 2008

Has anyone thought of the

Has anyone thought of the possibility that she might be under consideration for a job other than SecState?

WhatYouMustRead.blogspot.com

 

AMIE DREEM

4:29 PM ET

November 16, 2008

Congratulations Obama! In

Congratulations Obama! In this moment I would like to be American to have e President like you!

Hillary is a good idea! it is a good team! yeah!

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Hungarian Origin of barack Obama

 

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