Report: Hillary To Accept Secretary Of State Gig (updated) [View All]

[ProSense]

Report: Hillary To Accept Secretary Of State Gig

By Greg Sargent - November 21, 2008, 2:46PM

Hillary will accept the job, reports The New York Times:

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 this is the first word from the Clinton camp that she has decided...

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.

More soon.

Updated to add:

Clinton Set to Be Nominated as Secretary of State (Update3)

By Kim Chipman and Julianna Goldman

Nov. 21 (Bloomberg) -- Senator Hillary Clinton is likely to be nominated for secretary of state after the Nov. 27 U.S. Thanksgiving holiday, according to an aide to President-elect Barack Obama.

Clinton told confidants she has decided to accept the post, the New York Times reported on its Web site.

Potential hurdles related to financial disclosures by Clinton’s husband, former President Bill Clinton, have been worked out, said the Obama aide, who asked not to be named.

The New York Democrat would be Obama’s highest-ranking Cabinet officer -- the secretary of state is fourth in the line of presidential succession. Backers say the popularity of both Hillary and Bill Clinton overseas would be a boon to the U.S.’s global reputation.

<...>

Another former primary rival who met with Obama in Chicago was New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson. The former energy secretary and United Nations ambassador under Bill Clinton is a contender for Commerce secretary, the Washington Post reported on its Web site today, citing an unidentified Democratic official.

link