And thinking about it, isn't she better where she is?

SoS is prestigious, but our focus has shifted to domestic policy.

We need her there.

There are a number of reasons why I think she should say no if offered:

- I personally don't think this is her strong suit. I like her much better on domestic policy than foreign policy.

- I said it after the end of the primaries, but I think she has so much clout and represents a distinct side of the party that she'd effectively lose all that if co-opted by the administration. She'd be better at remaining a force within the party instead of carrying water for the Obama administration. She'd take all of the blame for policy blunders, and get none of the rewards for successes.

In my eyes, this would be a step down for her, and I really hope she realizes how much she's got to lose in the party by trying to merge her wing with Obama's. The merger is good for neither of them.

BTW, this has been all over the news for two days or so. There are enough networks reporting this that we don't have to take our que from Huffington Post. Try this one or any other one for that matter. Thanks in advance.

called her office today, to ask her to stay and to remind her she said she would be there to fight for us. Reached her NYC office, but got all busiesy signals in DC.

Just Say No, Hillary! Pleeeeeeze.

And, please, anyone who can, call her offices:

List of offices and telephone numbers.

I know it's normal to wait until much later to announce big cabinet positions, but since we're in the midst of Bushian clusterfucks isn't it odd that Obama, at least, announced his Treasury Secretary or be more forthright about other cabinet spots? What is he waiting for?

With regards to Secretary of State: for the sake of the country, I hope she takes it. Considering the scope of the problems abroad and how Obama will be preoccupied with the economy, I don't see how Kerry or Richardson would be good choices, let alone better than her.

However, I don't see this benefiting her politically. Unless she has more autonomy than previous Secretaries (A possibility, however remote, considering Obama will be knee-deep in dealing with the financial crisis). I fear Obama will use her as a scapegoat at the drop of a hat if push comes to shove.

At this particular post, what would be so wrong with Richardson?

The more I think about it, the more I like it.

It requires a bit of counter-intuitive thinking, but Davidson is on to it with the observation that Obama will be preoccupied with the economy.

Thought exercise: What two people in the world can convey the seriousness of the White House's interest in a given negotiation merely by who they are? Who has the stature to sit and speak decisively with a head of state? Anglachel

I see zero reasons why either one would be particularly suitable for this job.

On the other hand, I can see many reasons why Hillary Clinton would be an excellent choice for SOS.

But would she accept?

Maybe.

Way better job than VEEP.

Arguably way better than being just another Senator. More opportunities to effect um change. (Did I really say that? Yikes.)

Anyhow, in essence, it works for me.

She can be the leader of a significant branch of the Party. Taking a temporary cabint job forfeits that. Few secs of state stay the entire 8 years so Hillary gives up a seat of influence for perhaps four years of state work. The Clinton Dem wing of the Party has no more leader if Hillary gives up her power.

Richardson has the gravitas to sit with heads of state just as much as Hillary. Or even Wes Clark.

Nothing less. The good of the country we should be discussing; bugger the Party, and all of its branches.

Yeah, she says she doesn't want it, but it hasn't been offered yet. There will be at least two seats, maybe three for Obama to fill. I think Hillary Clinton as a Supreme Court Justice, in office for 20 years or more, would be an absolutely glorious and just turn of events. Think of the wonderfulness of the confirmation process; no holds, that would be dastardly, because the President and his nominee IIRC deserve an up-or-down vote.

I'm heartened that Obama took this out of the speculation mode, since good things are already coming of it. For example, a person who said the following in the comments here:

I'm sorry, this just makes me want to puke.

We've been living in a country defined by the Bush and Clinton clans for over twenty years. We've had their drama and moral decay spewed at us non-stop, and I'm sick of it. I'm sick of hearing about them, thinking about them, listening to them and enabling them.

Says the following downthread when it is revealed this wasn't just positioning by Clinton operatives:

My reaction is that the bubble of interest I have in Barack Obama just popped, and I suddenly feel like he's just another politician. And I'm honestly surprised by that. But also in some way relieved.

In a very weird way I feel like I can stop caring and hoping now, and that actually feels good.

These kinds of developments are 'hopeful', they show that like kryptonite kills Superman or salt kills a slug, the Clintons (among other things?) can actually drive the koolaid right out of an OFBer.

So it isn't at all like being bitten by a zombie this Obama koolaid drinking thing: there's a cure!

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Around these parts we call cucumber slices circle bites

senator with national standing and huge following. Progs/libs lose clout in the US Senate.

2) Hillary is removed from real political discourse, since Secty of State is a creature of the administration and by tradition does not get involved in domestic politics.

3) The Democratic Party loses a strong, well-known voice. Well, two of them, as Bill would need to stay more in the background and would need to be less vocal.

4) The Democratic Party loses one -- or two -- of its strongest fundraisers. I vaguely recall Condi raised hackels and concern by holding fundraisers. Were Hillary to that, the MCM would flay her.

5) Downticket Dems would lose two great campaigners and fundraisers. Perhaps this would lead to further weakening of the progressive wing in the Democratic Party. And make a takeover easier?

6) Hillary loses her senate seat, likely ending her political career. Sectys of State rarely last more than one term, if that.

7) Hillary as Secty of State becomes a lightning rod for the MCM--sparing Obama. And Sectys of State do only what the president and his team want done, unless they can work internally to get their ideas through to the prez and his team. Not impossible, but actions for Secty of St are limited.

Now, why has this leaked? Given the secrecy of the Obama camp, why is this one out there? What does it accomplish for the Obama team? What don't they want the public and more perceptive members of the press paying attention to? Was the Palin coverage losing its power to be the magician's beautiful partner? What is the magician doing he wants to keep hidden?

Cute MCM footnote: Remember when Hillary's claim to international experience was shot down by the MCM, with the MCMers saying she basically went to teas and such when overseas? Well, now, suddenly, she has the experience and connections to foreign leaders to be Secty of State. Cute, huh?

I agree totally that we need Hillary in the Senate. But Bill! International rock star there, and the job would save him from the low company he's been keeping -- I never want to see him with George H.W. Bush again.