Presidential Transition on the Precipice [UPDATED]

She had better get the job….

I totally agree. If they don’t give it to her, there will be hell to. There is no wrath…

Not that I am so sure she should take it, but once it was confirmed she was being considered, if it isn’t offered, it is highly offensive.

I’m stating to go with this being a great thing. I don’t trust Odrama, but I think Hillary would not accept at risk to her political career. I would feel more comfortable about Israel and our country in general.

I drank the kool aid!

go Hillary SOS!

I agree with the post and the above comments. Making Hillary secretary of state would put the best qualified person into this important position and go a long way to reunite Democrats. There are plenty of positions for Kerry and Richardson–I happen to believe that neither one comes even close to Hillary’s qualities for secretary of state.

Look, Obama lied about helping her pay off her debt. Obama lied about considering her for VP so I would assume that he’s lying once again.

He won’t offer it to her and the incompetence story line is going to stick is my prediction.

And that pretense of being an insider is what makes you so cute, Larry!

I think this is creepy — in my opinion she should stay as far away from this con artist as possible.

But then I’m not a politician.

No matter what O-zero does — he is a thief and a liar and he is a sexist jerk. So there is no way that I will ever drink the kool-aid. He is so inept and clueless that there is no one that can really “help” him.

What are all the demands to help this guy? Is he a fragile male — I have NEVER before heard so many pleas to “help” this lying traitor.

Look up “fragile male syndrome” in one of the search engines. One of the markers is BIG EARS. After I read the medical description of “fragile male syndrom” — who knows that may be why O-zero refuses to release his medical records.

Obama has so many secrets — which one will sink him?

Hillary please stay away from this crook. Stop being an abused women — you are now a poor role model for women. Hold your head up and WALK away and do not look back.

[Comment from LARRY JOHNSON--I don't like Dick Morris and he is completely full of shit in his analysis. This was not a rumor started by Clinton insiders. The notion that "The DEMOCRATIC PARTY'S TOP BRASS WANTED HILLARY," is completely delusional. In the future, you can publish snippets from Morris but spare us his full articles. He is misinformed.]

HILLARY FOR SECRETARY OF STATE - IS HE KIDDING?

By DICK MORRIS & EILEEN MCGANN

November 14, 2008

Hopefully, it’s just a rumor started by the Clintonistas, but is Barack Obama seriously considering appointing Hillary Clinton as his Secretary of State? If he pulls the trigger on that appointment, he will deserve what he gets!

Obama would do well to remember the history of Harry Truman and Jimmy Byrnes in 1944. Byrnes, known as the “assistant president” in FDR’s third term, was widely thought to be Roosevelt’s choice to replace Henry Wallace as his running mate on the 1944 ticket. At the last minute, FDR re-considered and decided Byrnes, a South Carolinian, was too conservative and went with Truman instead. But the Democratic Party establishment clearly was disappointed. While they wanted to get rid of the almost-Communist Wallace, they wanted Byrnes not Truman. (Just like the party establishment really wanted Hillary, not Obama, to be the presidential nominee).

So Truman named Byrnes to be his Secretary of State after he took office on Roosevelt’s death in 1945. Byrnes, who thought he should have been president, proceeded to make his own foreign policy. He flew to a meeting in Europe with the allied foreign ministers and barely kept President Truman posted on the deliberations. He became a loose cannon who thought he was the president. After a year of this nonsense, Truman fired him and brought in George Marshall to take the job.

If Obama nominates Hillary, he will put himself in the same position as Truman was with Byrnes and the results will be just as predictable.

All of this illustrates the fundamental problem Obama faces within his party: He was not their top choice for the job. The Democratic Party’s top brass wanted Hillary, not Obama. When Obama began winning primaries and caucuses, they fell in line and refused to make a super-delegate goal line stand for Clinton, but that does not disguise the fact that most of them backed Clinton from the outset.

Oddly, their lack of loyalty to Obama puts him in much the same position as Bill Clinton was in when he became president in 1993. He was not his party’s first choice either. New York Governor Mario Cuomo could have had the 1992 nomination for the asking, but he opted out. Faced with a choice among Clinton, cancer-stricken Paul Tsongas, and renegade former California Governor Jerry Brown, they opted for Bill. But their hearts stayed with Cuomo.

So when Clinton faced a Democratic Congress on taking office, he could not count on their support. Neither can Obama. So Clinton had to toe the liberal line in order to round up the votes he needed to pass his programs in the Congress that was nominally under his control. So will Obama. Ultimately, Clinton became the hostage of the Democratic majority in Congress and they became his jailer. He was forced so far to the left that he told me, in 1994 (after losing the Congressional elections) “I was so far to the left I didn’t recognize myself.” Neither will Obama.

Those who embrace the comforting fantasy that Obama will govern from the center and leave the left frustrated are in for a shock. We don’t know if Obama wants to move left or center. But that’s not the key question. The issue is not what he will want to do but what Congress will make him do.

The best example of how this will work is the 1994 anti-crime bill that was one of Clinton’s top legislative priorities. He originally saw it as a conservative bill providing for 100,000 extra police (about a 205 expansion of the nation’s constabulary), handgun and assault rifle controls, expansion of state and local prison construction, and a federal death penalty. But the liberals in the House, particularly the Black Caucus, were inflamed at the idea of capital punishment and demanded a stiff price for their support. Why didn’t Clinton just cross the aisle and pass the bill with Republican backing? First, the GOP wanted the gun controls dropped from the bill and second, the Democratic Congressional leadership threatened to make the president an orphan and pull their support if he sought Republican votes. So Clinton was stuck wringing every last vote out of his House majority. The bill became a Christmas tree with every kind of local pork project decorating. Midnight basketball courts, swimming pools, community centers and all manner of garbage was tacked onto the bill to win the votes, member by member, of every House Democrat. As a result, it became a left-leaning bill that Clinton had to accept. (After passage, it became the central force driving a sharp reduction in crime, but that’s another story).

Obama will face just such a situation and will be forced to the left - if he needs any forcing - just as Clinton was. And selecting Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State will just cede more of his authority.

Oh, how nice. If she’s selected the Obama campaign hopes that all the sweeties play nicey, nicey, hopey changey and shut the hell up. Not me; Not me. It won’t make me like or respect Obama any better.

BO cannot share the spotlight, not to mention Mechelle’s influence who can’t stand white women in general and was the catalyst for the race card being played against the Clintons in the primaries. The truth is BO can do anything he wants, put her name out there, take it back, laugh about it, he DOESN’T CARE. The people that bought the presidency for him don’t care either–they’ve got what they want and he could have Hillary knocked off, a video to prove it, and the media and the money men would look the other way.

Personally I think her name being floated just offers insight into what the conversations were between Hillary and Obama that night at Feinstein’s house and on Obama one enroute to Unity, New Hampshire. Also, quite likely the “details” ironed out during phone calls and meetings with Bill.

This didn’t just happen, it’s been talked about for months privately I’m sure. It certainly brings into sharper focus why Hillary and Bill campaigned for “the one”.

I wouldn’t want to do Obama’s bidding as SOS if I were Hillary. She will after all be working for him and will be expected to carry out his policies. Yes she’ll have input, but in the end he will get the final word. How much input do you really think he’ll listen to from Hillary?

One thing though, it will be interesting to see how those that were promised the position will react if it is given to Hillary.

I really don’t know about this at all.

Is the SOS spot REALLY where Senator Clinton can do the most good? The SOS is charged primarily with foreign relations. Now understand that of course I’d trust Clinton to excel no matter where she lands, but is foreign relations really her utmost forte? I feel that her expertise is better served domestically, personally.

She’d be fourth in line for the presidency, which is hardly anything to consider, really, but she’d be beneath Nancy Friggin Pelosi, which sort burns me as an insult.

On the other hand, the thought of either Kerry or Richardson as SOS makes me want to knock my head into my keyboard. I really cannot imagine either of them in the role.

Obama will pick Hillary because if the phone rings at 3AM he won’t know what to do. He needs her to answer the phone.

I am amazed every time I read some of Hillary’s so called supporters salivating at the prospect of her working under Obama. Either you people believe what you say about Obama to be true, then for her to be working for him would be an insult to the very fabric of your existance. Or you were lying when you said what you did about Obama. There is no 3rd obtion.

Larry:

Sorry to disagree here but I think it would be a disaster for Hillary to accept a SecState position with Obama… a disaster for her. Hillary was an inspiring figure for many women - and even some men - in this country and they were dismayed to see her supporting Obama in the GE. She is just barely holding on to her status as an advocate for her positions and for womens’ rights in general. If she were to accept SecState she would then become absolutely subject to the Obama STFU brigade and would lose all her independence - her ability to stand up in the Senate and take a position against Obama on any issue. This is exactly what the Obamabots want: control over Hillary.

Worse, if she were to accept the SecState position she would be forced to try to carry out Obama’s ridiculous foreign policy strategy - you know, the one where he gets everyone to sit around a table and just work things out. Hillary then becomes the convenient whipping boy when his plans go down the toilet - she gets blamed for his foreign policy ineptitude.

Worst, if Hillary accepts the SecState position she will lose all credibility with her, now former, supporters. It will effectivly end her political career.

This is a very bad idea for Hillary and another in a long line of bad ideas from Obama, although I guess we should be getting used to those.

That all said, I won’t be surprised if she accepts since she has exhibited a penchant for shooting herself in the foot for the sake of the Democratic party.

If/when this happens I will be dismayed in the same way I am dismayed when I hear about a battered wife going back to her abuser, they always seem to say: “It’s OK, he promised he wouldn’t hurt me again.”

It all makes sense. Obama and Axlerod probably told a number of people that they would be at the top of the list for Secy of State in exchange for their support. It helped him roll up those endorsements when the race was allegedly still in doubt.

Well if he gives the job to Hillary, none of the others can bitch about broken promises. It also removes her from seriously considering a 2012 run unless she spends less than two years in the post and resigns which is only a possibility if the Obama administration is a complete disaster (and if it is, she’ll get blamed for a lot of it).

It gets her out of the Senate where Harry Reid would rather not deal with her and it allows David Patterson to appoint a new Senator for NY who would have 4 years to serve before having to run again in 2012. Patterson could appoint Andrew Cuomo and remove his chief competition for Governor when that seat comes up in two years.

Sure Obama said he knew foreign policy best, but then again his campaign words haven’t meant much.

But if she is not given the job, oh, oh!!

Oh oh? Oh oh, what? You won’t vote for him?

Newsflash, the election is over.

If he doesn’t give it to her, so what? She’ll continue working in the Senate doing what she does and someone else will be SOS.

Will this be a sign of healing the riff between Clinton supporters and Odumbo?

Hell no, it will be the silencing of Clinton by Odumbo and giving her the appearance of being a turncoat against all principles she stood for during the primaries as to Odumbo’s abilities!

One other bone of contention regarding Hillary leaving the Senate and taking on SOS, she is silenced in her independence and her voice on the foreign commitee will be gone as she does the “pleasures of the POTUS” should Odumbo make it to Jan 20th without qualification removals!

I hope that Hillary gets the job. Obama may be an untrustworthy sleaze, but Hillary is not a fool. I have no doubt that she knows exactly what she is dealing with, especially after not only what her fellow Democrats did to her in the primaries, but after 8 years of persecution as First Lady, and after the last 7 years in the cesspool of Bush/Cheny Washington.

The whole scene is beginning to look more and more like a big chess game. Obama may be the King with his multi-directional one move at time, but Hillary is the Queen. She can take off in any direction, clear across the board if necessary. I don’t know how many chess strategies which sacrifice the Queen are successful . I would venture to say probably not too many.

I don’t know that The Opathological Narcissist could tolerate working so very closely with someone of such high caliber. If HRC is appointed, I would not be surprised if her very presence creates such distress for The One, that he drowns her (figuratively, of course) in his reflective pool.

Larry,

This would be disasterous for Hillary. She would become the “Powell” of Obama’s regime.

Obama and Co. will use and abuse her, and dump her under the bus, her reputation will take a huge hit and then her future is toast.

My advise - DON’T TRUST OBAMA. Nothing has changed since Alice Walker.

Hillary should stay in the Senate and be the watchdog on Obama’s time.

It is my opinion that the Republicans did not want to win this election cycle. The mess that we are in and along with Obama, Pelosi and clan now owns the bailout.

The 527 did not come out blazing and McCain was setup to fail. Karl Rove indeed looked pleased with the results as they came in on election night.

The Republicans will sit tight until 2010 and go after Obama hard and recapture both the Senate and the House. I do not think anything will happen to Obama in terms of someone assassinating him or anything like that - they do not want a martyr.

Instead they will seek to discrete Obama and get him out of office before his time is up - and rightly so. This will set the stage for 2012.

Then Hillary would have a real chance of making real effectve “change”.

Hillary - please do not get swayed by the Kool Aid!

Obama is doing this for two reasons
#1. So that there is NO possible way for Hillary to run in 2012, why, because if she is Secretary of State, she can’t run against the guy who hired her, how would that look. Also, she won’t be able to run in 2016 because she would be too old. I believe she would be 69 years old, so she would be done as far as running for President
#2. He wants someone to blame if something goes wrong “Hey it’s not my fault, it’s Hillary’s fault, she answered that 3am phone call and screwed up” he needs a fall guy
If Hillary is smart she will tell Obama to shove it, he didn’t even consider her, didn’t even think about putting her on the VP ticket, now he wants to have her as Secretary of State, Obama is a joke, Hillary better not accept it

I thought that Obama was the candidate of change. If he is why is his cabinet already 75% from Bill Clinton era. He has promised so many people positions that he will be running out soon. But he can start making up some new one because he is the one.

“1. So that there is NO possible way for Hillary to run in 2012, why, because if she is Secretary of State, she can’t run against the guy who hired her, how would that look.”

How would that look? Geez. No matter what Hillary does the media laughs at her.

Who is this guy, Obama, and do people think he can really win Iowa? Oh wait, that was a year ago.

The past year DOES seem like kind of a nightmare. I must say that I think Hillary would be fabulous as Secretary of State. She has instant international credibility. But do I really trust Obama? No. Part of me sees this as Obama trying to get her out of the Senate, where she could possibly be more of a “thorn” in his side. He would have more control over her if she is serving at his pleasure as SOS.

In any event, will be interesting to see where this goes. I definitely agree with Larry - I don’t think the Obama people would let this leak and then not follow through. The Rahm-bo appointment was leaked for a few days - and then turned out to be true.

Even though I am conflicted, I also believe that Hillary Clinton is smart enough and experienced enough to make the decision that she believes will (1) best serve her country and (2) further her own political career.

I will support her in whatever decision she chooses to make.

I agree. If Hillary Clinton’s name was floated out there as a possible choice for Secretary of State only to be shot down, there will be hell to pay. If this appointment is merely a bone dangled in front of Sen Clinton and her supporters only to be yanked away, the Democratic Party will be dead in the water by 2012, while Gov Sarah Palin and the, by contrast, more progressive Repubs will prevail. For an Obama administration to choose yesterday’s news, John Kerry, or that lap dog, Bill Richardson, over Sen Clinton, would only add insult to injury. I would like to give Barack Obama more credit than that, but not so fast. He needs to know that women–and not just Hillary supporters–are looking at Gov Sarah Palin and coming away with the impression that the Democratic Party is a backward place for women, while the Republicans are starting to get it. Until Mr. Obama grasps that reality, the Dems are in deep shit.

This would be the appropriate thing to do, however when have you ever known Obama to do the appropriate thing?

I’m filing all of this under: “The only edifying thing about this whole disastrous primary and election season is sitting back now and watching it all fall apart.” I’m not worried about America: the security, military, and financial systems will still be in the hands of the bureaucratic experts, who will prevent the Great One from doing absolutely disastrous things. But the whole political edifice set up to get Obama elected was built on sand. And now I’m watchin’ the tide roll in …….

I think it is a rumor and strong innuendo. Having Hillary as SOS….how does that help you and me get help? It may save the Nation as a whole but how does it help people in need losing their jobs? We have already lost 500 jobs in the aircraft industry with more to follow. The aircraft companies contract to other industries in our area….once again How will Hillary meet her need to help the people of this country? It doesn’t if she is SOS.

I believe Obama is a one term wonder…it will take 18 months to 2 years for any real recovery of jobs or creation of jobs. Who would want to be aligned with a sinking ship?

I hope she doesn’t take the job. If she does I will lose any respect I have managed to retain for her. As a matter of fact taking the job would prove she is nothing more than a regular old politician! I always thought she was more than that! She will be the consummate professional politician!

i want to see the obot’s faces if she accepts. hell obama is bringing on board all the clinton administration. i guess hillary and bill were the the last remaining. obama wants the name in the history books and people hooing and ahhing over him.

Media Deathwatch: McClatchy Media Stock Near Zero

Suicide by bias.

http://patriotroom.com/media-deathwatch-mcclatchy-media-stock-near-zero/

I am getting the feeling that this indeed is a chess game, but one that everyone in-the-know already knows the conclusion of.

If Obama cannot take the oath Jan. 20th, the next in line are Biden, Pelosi, then who? Isn’t it Secretary of State?

I think they have all already agreed that Hillary would be placed into Obama’s slot with Biden as VP. I think it’s all part of the original plan, a much bigger plan than we are all really aware of.

By the way, no one has said this yet. I believe the REAL reason why Obama won’t attend the big conference of world leaders this weekend is because he is AFRAID he’ll appear childish and stupid.

I agree with everything you said, Larry. Hillary deserves to be SOS after everything she did to get Obama elected after her concession. She could have easily stayed away from the campaign trail and given her supporters reason to stay away from voting for Obama. He owes his win to her and I want Hillary to represent me around the world!

Dennis Kucinich and Darrell Issa go after Kashkari in angry hearing today.

Read and watch:

http://www.prisonplanet.com/kashkari-accused-of-bailout-bait-and-switch-during-angry-hearing.html

As a disenfranchised voter from Michigan I really don’t think Obama gives a hoot about I feel or think relative to putting out a teaser that Hillary may be considered for SOS or anything else.

It will also be interesting to see what Hillary does. Her actions since giving up the nomination have been disappointing. If Hillary cares what people like me think about her she will reject the position and stay put in the US Senate.

I worked my ass off for Senator Clinton. When she did not win the nomination, I did not support Obama; I did not vote for him. But this is the reality:

Obama will be our president for four years and then the DNC will support him for another run (unless he implodes in some way before 2012). That is why it was so heartbreaking when he won - I knew that he would be in for eight years and that Senator Clinton’s chance of running in 2012 had evaporated.

However…as SOS she could then run with ENORMOUS experience and public exposure under her belt in 2016. No, she won’t be too old… she has spunk and vitality the way many female politicians do (e.g. Thatcher).

Its not unusual for a candidate (or their organization) to offer the same job to different pols in order to gain endorsements. The question might be: why so many people associated with the name Clinton now part of the Obama transition? Emanuel, Summers, Podesta now in the rumor mill, Hillary herself.

My thinking is this is just another head fake, but I, like the multitude, am not privy to deals being made and am not making any predictions or placing any bets.

One point I’ll add, if Hillary should by some chance come to a cabinet position, this would be another slap in the face for the left who spent the last 1 1/2 years claiming that the election of Obama was the end of the Clinton “machine” [sic].

I can’t believe you’re saying this is a good idea Larry. You who have been investigating this man for a year now. Knowing what we know about him and how he treats people, how could you possibly think it would be to Hillary’s benefit to put her career, what’s left of it, her reputation, even her life in that man’s hands?!?!
He hates the Clintons! He wouldn’t come to her defense when she was being smeared as a racist, even accused of plotting to kill him or all the sexist attacks. Or lift a finger, even now to retire her debt. He wouldn’t even consider her as vp. though she got more votes thus more supporters than he did. And everyone tied to Obama wants to get the Clintons out of the party and DC for good. So yeah, give up her seat and hand over her fate to him. Smart move there!

Not to mention the reports of the absolute invasive vetting his camp is doing to anyone who he’s even considering for a position, from his vp. down to the new puppy’s pooper scooper. They were talking about the ridiculous amounts of info he wants on people. Basically from moment of conception onward. And that’s JUST to be considered, no guarantee you’ll even get the job. So EVERYTHING in your life can and will be used against you by Obama whenever he chooses and once more you’re at HIS mercy….of which he has none!

Shame on you Larry and anyone who thinks this is a good idea!

I’m on the side that says it’s purely political, and has more with the old ‘keep your friends close and your enemies closer’ ideology than anything else.

She’s a proven Senate workhorse and a powerhouse. She can obviously be a political center. However, putting her in the SOS chair is an end game, in more ways than one, as far as she’s concerned. One - SOS is one of those ‘last stops on the way out to pasture’ positions. Two - It WILL be a fall-guy position for O’s mis-steps. Three - in Hillary’s case, it’s about legislative capital, or rather, keeping her from showing him up.

That’s what I’m thinking are the political reasons behind such an idea. And now that it’s been floated, it’s a lose-lose for Hillary. If there’s a way she can refuse (if indeed actually asked) gracefully and by doing so not lose political capital in Congress, as well as public support, she can come out of this with her career intact. But that’s going to be tricky, especially with the megaphones of the MSM speculating for at least 72 hours that a refusal is tantamount to a blatant show of disrespect or lack of confidence. (With the second of those two reasons very likely plausible.)

How funny. In the primary season he sued to have her calendar as First Lady opened up to reveal how little “experience” she really had. Then he belittled her world travels as First Lady, making an issue of her trips as just “teas at embassies.” And now, after trashing her real experience, he’s saying he wants to entrust her with the office of Secretary of State? Maybe this is what she and Obama chatted about in Diane’s living room? Maybe this is what he and Bill talked about in New York as they lunched on the anniversary of 9-11? Or maybe Obama realizes he’s in over his head and needs both Clinton brains to navigate/negotiate with world leaders? Or maybe he’s just trying to open up a NY Senate Seat for one of his pals? Whatever the reason, it’s to benefit him, him, him. As usual. Barack Obama. Country Last.

I would love for Senator Clinton to get the job. It would round off a beautiful day if it was announced today too! To coincide with our first female four star general getting promoted today. I hope this is a serious consideration though and not some bullcrap. It’s bad enough she didnt get to head up the health care reform but if this is just some kind of “gotcha” moment and another attempt to be shitty towards her, it might get ugly. No one can’t be that stupid to put her name out there and give it to someone else. At least I hope not.

And now that it’s been floated, it’s a lose-lose for Hillary.

Agreed.

It is very sad that Obama has nothing on his own - he is turning to the former Clinton white house staff + the Clintons.

Change. He put Hillary down, accused Bill of racism, never gave Bill any credit for being a good President - now it is all about the Clintons.
I can’t stand how Obama operates - can’t stand it!!!

As much as I would like to see Hillary get a good position - it drives me nuts how she has been treated.

This is a comment from tbs on the pat dollard site.
It is a fabulous piece so I decided to pass it on.

Friends,

Will you please take the time to read this, and if you think it worthwhile, pass it along to your email list, and ask them to read it? Even if they voted, with all good intentions, for Mr. Obama?

I am a student of history. Professionally. I have written 15 books in six languages, and have studied it all my life. I think there is something monumentally large afoot, and I do not believe it is just a banking crisis, or a mortgage crisis, or a credit crisis. Yes these exist, but they are merely single facets on a very large gemstone that is only now coming into a sharper focus.

Something of historic proportions is happening. I can sense it because I know how it feels, smells, what it looks like, and how people react to it. Yes, a perfect storm may be brewing, but there is something happening within our country that has been evolving for about ten - fifteen years. The pace has dramatically quickened in the past two.

We demand and then codify into law the requirement that our banks make massive loans to people we know they can never pay back? Why?

We learn just days ago that the Federal Reserve, which has little or no real oversight by anyone, has “loaned” two trillion dollars (that is $2,000,000,000,000) over the past few months, but will not tell us to whom or why or disclose the terms. That is our money. Yours and mine. And that is three times the 700B we all argued about so strenuously just this past September. Who has this money? Why do they have it? Why are the terms unavailable to us? Who asked for it? Who authorized it? I thought this was a government of “we the people,” who loaned our powers to our elected leaders. Apparently not.

We have spent two or more decades intentionally de-industrializing our economy. Why?

We have intentionally dumbed down our schools, ignored our history, and no longer teach our founding documents, why we are exceptional, and why we are worth preserving. Students by and large cannot write, think critically, read, or articulate. Parents are not revolting, teachers are not picketing, school boards continue to back mediocrity. Why?

We have now established the precedent of protesting every close election (now violently in California over a proposition that is so controversial that it wants marriage to remain between one man and one woman. Did you ever think such a thing possible just a decade ago?). We have corrupted our sacred political process by allowing unelected judges to write laws that radically change our way of life, and then mainstream Marxist groups like ACORN and others to turn our voting system into a banana republic. To what purpose?

Now our mortgage industry is collapsing, housing prices are in free fall, major industries are failing, our banking system is on the verge of collapse, social security is nearly bankrupt, as is medicare and our entire government, our education system is worse than a joke (I teach college and know precisely what I am talking about)–the list is staggering in its length, breadth, and depth. It is potentially 1929 x ten. And we are at war with an enemy we cannot name for fear of offending people of the same religion, who cannot wait to slit the throats of your children if they have the opportunity to do so.

And now we have elected a man no one knows anything about, who has never run so much as a Dairy Queen, let alone a town as big as Wasilla, Alaska. All of his associations and alliances are with real radicals in their chosen fields of employment, and everything we learn about him, drip by drip, is unsettling if not downright scary (Surely you have heard him speak about his idea to create and fund a mandatory civilian defense force stronger than our military for use inside our borders? No? Oh of course. The media would never play that for you over and over and then demand he answer it. Sarah Palin’s pregnant daughter and $150,000 wardrobe is more imporant.)

Mr. Obama’s winning platform can be boiled down to one word: change.

Why?

I have never been so afraid for my country and for my children as I am now.

This man campaigned on bringing people together, something he has never, ever done in his professional life. In my assessment, Obama will divide us along philosophical lines, push us apart, and then try to realign the pieces into a new and different power structure. Change is indeed coming. And when it comes, you will never see the same nation again.

And that is only the beginning.

And I thought I would never be able to experience what the ordinary, moral German felt in the mid-1930s. In those times, the savior was a former smooth-talking rabble-rouser from the streets, about whom the average German knew next to nothing. What they did know was that he was associated with groups that shouted, shoved, and pushed around people with whom they disagreed; he edged his way onto the political stage through great oratory and promises. Economic times were tough, people were losing jobs, and he was a great speaker. And he smiled and waved a lot. And people, even newspapers, were afraid to speak out for fear that his “brown shirts” would bully them into submission. And then, he was duly elected to office, a full-throttled economic crisis at hand [the Great Depression]. Slowly but surely he seized the controls of government power, department by department, person by person, bureaucracy by bureaucracy. The kids joined a Youth Movement in his name, where they were taught what to think. How did he get the people on his side? He did it promising jobs to the jobless, money to the moneyless, and goodies for the military-industrial complex. He did it by indoctrinating the children, advocating gun control, health care for all, better wages, better jobs, and promising to re-instill pride once again in the country, across Europe, and across the world.

He did it with a compliant media–did you know that? And he did this all in the name of justice and . . . change. And the people surely got what they voted for.

(Look it up if you think I am exaggerating.)

Read your history books. Many people objected in 1933 and were shouted down, called names, laughed at, and made fun of. When Winston Churchill pointed out the obvious in the late 1930s while seated in the House of Lords in England (he was not yet Prime Minister), he was booed into his seat and called a crazy troublemaker. He was right, though.

Don’t forget that Germany was the most educated, cultured country in Europe. It was full of music, art, museums, hospitals, laboratories, and universities. And in less than six years–a shorter time span than just two terms of the U. S. presidency–it was rounding up its own citizens, killing others, abrogating its laws, turning children against parents, and neighbors against neighbors. All with the best of intentions, of course. The road to Hell is paved with them.

As a practical thinker, one not overly prone to emotional decisions, I have a choice: I can either believe what the objective pieces of evidence tell me (even if they make me cringe with disgust); I can believe what history is shouting to me from across the chasm of seven decades; or I can hope I am wrong by closing my eyes, having another latte, and ignoring what is transpiring around me.

Some people scoff at me, others laugh, or think I am foolish, naive, or both. Perhaps I am. But I have never been afraid to look people in the eye and tell them exactly what I believe–and why I believe it.

I pray I am wrong. I do not think I am.

Best regards

tps

I hope she stays in the Senate. We need her there.

Who really cares at this point? Michelle? YAWNNNNN

hope that o is indicted before 1-20-09

This has nothing to do with what Hillary deserves, this has to do with people signing off on obama, period. No one with any sense should sign off on this little sociopaths taking office, exspecially an individual that was smeared and lied on by his campaign staff. there is no way to justify such an all out support of a man reacts so hatefully to women, and thinks the american people are stupid as hell. I”m sorry but i can not let the ayers thing go. This man lies to us because he thinks we especially the democrats are stupid. If hillary excepts a job from this man she officially signs off as being ok with this. I support hillary not because i’m a democrat or a woman because i liked her but because it thought she was the best person for the job. If she takes this job from obama, then i was dead wrong. We have an entire party supporting a man who is laughing in our faces that we are a stupid group of sheeple sorry. I cant get over it. Like i said if Hillary excepts his job then my intial anger with her for supporting the war for her career was right. I’m not looking for anyone to save america. these silly little people need to grow the hell up, let them live with the consequences of their actions.They wanted Obama let them have him, if hillary is smart she will stay out of the way.

I am a dissenter on this one.

I think Obama only wants her out of the senate. Hillary IS qualified for secretary, but her strengths have always been domestic. If she is secretary of state, she cannot voice opposition to his domestic agenda, as that is not in the job description.

Personally, I think it’s another opportunity to throw her under the bus. Get her out of the senate, blame her for anything that may go wrong on the foreign affairs front, then promptly replace her and smear her at the same time. She is then political ashes. Once replaced in the senate (by someone who Obama would of course work behind the scenes to get that he approves of) she may find it difficult, if not impossible to regain her seat in the next election.

Obama doesn’t like her, and he is not above doing whatever he can to get rid of any opposition.

For the country, Hillary is the best choice. But for Hillary herself, its political suicide, and the end of her political career. Where will she go at the end of this hopefully one term administration? Back to the Senate after she gave it up to be SOS? She won’t be able to run against Barsky in 2012 if she is the SOS, so what then? No, she needs to stay away from him, and this toxic, sorry, cheap imitation of the Clinton admin.

Let me say this — especially to all the Obama-staff workers.

I am an adamant political junkie, so is my husband. Traditionally loyal, centrist Democrats over 30 years, Obama lost our protest votes.

The operative phase is PROTEST VOTES.

Protest votes against Dean-the-scream and the DNC for so blatantly trying to destroy the Clintons who have a high approval rating throughout the world.

If Obama has the COJONES to go against Dean-the-scream; Kerry-the-windbag; Richardson the lightweight opportunist who is incapable of being a true statesperson…

If Obama has the COJONES to go aganist various useless pundits like Dick Morris, Olblabberman and others who just have a bug up their asses when it comes to Bill & Hill …

If Obama has the strength of character to choose Hillary for Sec. of State,
a person more repspected throughout the world than Ricahrdson or Kerry will ever be…

My family, and many loyal Clintonistas I’m sure, will work our asses off to assure he’s a two-term president by a freaking landslide in 2012.

I would do this because Obama’s selection of Hillary would PROVE to me he’s not just a puppet of the Dean/Kennedy/Kerry New England camp who couldn’t ever win an election on their own.

At the moment, I do deeply suspect the Obama presidency could be a Kennedy/Kerry proxy presidency.

I’m hoping I’m wrong.

Please prove me wrong, president-elect Obama.

Select Hillary and I will be there for you in 2012.

Oh - and did I mention I’m in FL?

Florida as a squeaker Obama win because some Born-again republicans stayed home to punish the GOP. As a result, FL is not an Obama lock in 2012.

You’ll need Clintonistas like me in 2012 to count on FL.

Pick Hillary for S.O.S., and I will finally believe you are not under the thumb of the likes of Reid and Pelosi.

Not sure it would get much change of opinion from me on Obama. It is too late. He should have made her the first female Vice President. Women have been
Secretary of State so there is no glass ceiling to break there. It also seems like Obama’s following his hero Abe Lincoln and his favorite book Team of Rivals. He probably figures that in this job he can keep an eye on her and most likely she wouldn’t run against him in 4 years. The only good side for Hillary is that she needs a lot more seniority in the Senate to get one of the top jobs and with Kennedy saying no to her on heading the
Health Insurance Sub-Committee, she would have a more
challenging and interesting job here. Still don’t want her future tied to Obama. He is always too quick to blame the other person and not take responsibility for himself.

Yes, my reasoning may be deemed selfish but we are stuck with Obama. Knowing everything I know and knowing no one acts or seems to care or question anything about him. Yes, I would like Clinton in the position. It scares me shitless he is even the president elect. But nothing can be done. I mean when I read they were not going to even QUESTION any of those donations from all of those third world countries with names that didn’t even attempt to even sound legit. I got a lesson in politics that I wish to god now I never knew.

People dont even realize we have given a man the highest job our country has to offer without having to answer ONE question or be accountable for even ONE of his past associations. It’s unprecedented. A president that has not had to answer one thing, ONE THING about ANY of his life. The impact of this election made me realize that we are so vurnerable its literally outrageous.

It has proved that you can make it to the top by using one phrase: “Your racist” and all doors are open to you. Good god you have Ayers who bombed shit up on shows like Good Morning America!

This scenario is a example of how f’d up things are: If I was a terrorist with a name like Hussein Mohamed or something and was plotting some shit. I could make the accusation “there racist” or some sob story saying how I was treated badly because of my name and you would have all of these newspapers and media stations like CNN spinning the story about how a “Obama supporter” was discriminated against because of there name. And like magic everyone would turn the other way.

The point is this: so many people now don’t want to be considered “racist” with a new black president that now they will not be as diligent in there jobs to keep there faces off of CNN. Now they may become more lenient in checking for proper documentation and taking the “word” of these individuals.

Our very own MSM has contributed in lessing our security by back to back episodes over a year portraying anyone who dares question a AA is racist.

1. Of course she’d be good at whatever job.
2. Of course O. would be a fool not to use her.
3. Of course, O has broken every promise so far so she’d be a fool to believe anything he said about the future, and I don’t think she’s a fool.

She would surely understand how she would be at his mercy. I wouldn’t go there myself, I’d stay in the Senate. Teddy will soon be gone. Deval can appoint a toady, but he/she will have less seniority. I would bet on Hillary in a fight with Reid, any day. If she wants to be a power, it would be a surer thing in the Senate than taking the SOS job even though the latter would burnish her foreign relations creds. After all, she could just make sure her activities get press and preempt lack of experience claims. Although as SOS it would seem that O would have to put up with her until 2011 to preempt her from running for Pres after he disses and fires her, he hasn’t shown himself capable of rising above pettiness, and I don’t think he’d contain himself that long. Then she would be quite justified in running against him. Why not, Teddy ran against his own president.
4. Of course, there will be a shocking switcheroo by next Tuesday

I disagree with this statement:

“Conversely, giving Hillary that job would be seen by most Hillary supporters as a great peace offering and the kind of gesture that many believe should have been extended when she suspended her campaign.”

Too late. Most Hillary supporters who did not vote for Obama, did it for many reasons none of them had to do with Hillary. Obama’s offer is viewed mostly with suspicion, and the recognition that carrying Obama’s water as SoS diminishes her. If Obama wants a ‘yes’ man, he has Powell who is already an expert as a lying, water carrier.

I see the secretary of state offer as a way to get Hillary out of the senate where she’d be trouble. She could work with other senators to make changes that Obama does not want, imo.

Hillary is smart and I hope she reads the cards she’s been handed and send them back to the dealer for new ones.

If Obama chooses Kerry over Clinton…Well, that’s just poor judgment on Obama’s part.

Trotting her name out like this and then not giving her the job will be viewed as one more insult of a woman who has been the consummate team player.

True!

It’s not Attorney General, but I wonder what this might mean in terms of investigations…

Good analysis, Larry.

What do you think it would mean for VP Biden? Is he — with all his foreign relations credentials — expecting to put major fingerprints on Obama’s foreign policy?

And if hillary takes that position it means she sings off on the notion. It also means she signs off on what he did to governor palin. Honestly I think most people are sick of fighting and looking for a silver lining, I how ever ran out of those before i graduated from high school. SO i have no tolerance for certain things. I could defend John McCain because I know from personal experiecne people act odd when trying to process large information. But there is no reason for Hillary Clinton to sign off on this bafoon and be secretary of state. just like bush did powell obama will stuff her behind in the state department and will not listen to her. Powell never expressed true interest in the presidency and never was a true enemy to Bush, so how do you think obama will act towards clinton. I’m i the only one who remembers michelle obama’s face while clinton gave her speach? Sorry boys and girls but you can forget about obama listening to her.

I’m sorry but wrong is wrong, if hillary takes this job, it says a whole lot more unflattering things about her than it does obama. It says she is so power hungry she will sign off on living life in political cage.

just consider this…

Berg’s lawsuit. What would make it go away? A possible extension of the olive branch to Hillary supporters, like Berg?

I think it’s a ruse.

Of course, Hillary would make a great SOS, but it would be the end of her career not the beginning. Serving under a BO administration really wouldn’t allow her to run against him or be an effective Dem counter in the future.

LJ:

Thanks for writing this very thoughtful post. I trust you and I appreciate it.

I have one question: I know HRC and Biden have a close relationship. And Biden thinks of himself as “the foreign relations” expert. Now I don’t like many of his ideas but I wonder what do you think his influence will be on HRC were she be SoS ? Would Biden act on behalf of BO to oversee HRC? As a HRC brake so to speak? What’s your take about “the Biden factor” on this arrangement?

Like everyone else here I have mixed feelings about it. Sure the anger at what they did to her and to all of us is hard to overcome yet…I feel some trepedetion about HRC being blamed for all what BO “promised to do but knew he cannot” ie. what people will soon see as failures of his (grandiose) promises being pinned to HRC, etc etc.
But, for the good of this country, I am all for HRC at the helm in State. No matter what I want, nothing will now change what happened and the fact that HRC is not Madame President Elect. So, I will focus in NO KERRY for State and even less that clown named Richardson.

I would pay to be able to see moron Kerry & judas Richardon’s faces if HRC is named and accepts SoS

Funny that BO is thinking of HRC as … SOS: help please help!!! LOL.

Perhaps the plan is this: offer HC the SOS job with the tacit understanding that she will reject it. Result, PUMAs are mollified, and BO is then free to appoint Kerry or whomever he wants without being reproached by PUMAs. Would Hillary be complicit in such a deal? I don’t know.

Lets’ all face the facts, the Obama team is Clintonian already. I see so many faces of the old Clinton years that, at first I was pissed, but as of now it speaks volumes for the Clintons really.

And thinking back on these eight years and all the mess, wars and economic subterfuge for the 1% of this country, it IS only fitting that an overwhelming Democratic and House and Senate be in place as redemption for those/these dreadful, catastrophic years of Republican rule.

Obama just wants the title and is desparately looking for handlers to make him look good. Its one of his strong suits so to speak.

It smells like a trap. Obama could fire her in 6 months and politically neuter her for his sake as well as Reid and Pelosi.

Hillary has a better shot at 2012 by not being a member of an administration that’s doomed for failure.

I ask this question in all seriousness and sincerity:

What exactly are the “core values” of Hillary Clinton?

Just wondering why Emperor Bonaparte would want to hire a “racist” to be SOC?

This was a done deal for months. Thus, her untiring campaigning for O. That’s how it works. Always has, always will.

You get ‘em Hillary, you’ll be the best SOS ever!

The Prez-Elect cannot do it without a Clinton (nor their ex-staff, apparently). End of story.

Obama dissed her once. He’ll do it again.

I’m glad to hear it put Washington into an “uproar”.

YOU GO GIRL!

right now on cnn they are saying the job is absolutely hers if she wants it- “she did not give Barack an answer… ”

interesting- I love it!

I just heard an update on MSNBC from Andrea Mitchell.

Hillary’s hands are tied in the Senate.
Ted Kennedy has a stranglehold on healthcare along with Dodd. Kennedy says he’s staying.

She will never be allowed to work on healthcare.

Hillary heads up ZERO committees and is not likely to get any thanks to party hacks like Reid and Pelosi.

The Dems have essentially a filibuster proof Senate now. How much “power” will Hillary have their for her pet bills?

Nada.

S.O.S. is a perfect placement for her.

And it shows the DNC hacks that Obama is not their puppet because you know DAMN SURE they all want Kerry to get it.

If Obama chooses Hillary it sends a big sign to the DNC hacks that they can’t push him around to play same-old-same-old politics.

And you know they want to.

as far as this being a “leak”, let’s remember she apparently was seen (by media?) and clearly getting on a plane, heading to a trip to chicago for a private meeting.

the senate doesn’t want to lose a Dem seat but NY is def one place they can be sure that if she gives up her seat, it will be filled by a Dem-

so far media seems to be positive in their comments about the topic saying the clintons are stars around the world and hillary DOES know many world leaders that would be a benefit to us-

“Conversely, giving Hillary that job would be seen by most Hillary supporters as a great peace offering and the kind of gesture that many believe should have been extended when she suspended her campaign. It would go a long way in healing the rift among many of the Hillary backers who voted for McCain.”

Jeebus this sounds like the propaganda coming out of the campaign about how Clinton supporters reeeeaaalllly wanted her to accept as vp. No question but you’ve “turned” repuglican, Mr. Johnson.

It’s hard to imagine this was ever a pro-Clinton site if it’s now posting such bullsh#t articles as this.
Why in freaking h#ll would you suggest that the position would be a good one, when she could be fired at whim?
Tell it to Condoleeza Rice, or Colin Powell how well Secy of State is as a means of improving foreign relations. Just as they had no ability to influence Bush (if, indeed they wished it) Clinton would not have any influence over BHO. But she’d be ever so handy to blame for all BHO’s failures. Hey, and she’d have such great company under the bus!

She has a great reputation as a senator. She could well become Senate Majority/Minority leader in time. She serves on 4 separate Senate committees, but you want her to throw that away for BHO? WTF is the matter with you?

Let’s make a comparison. This:
Senator of New York
Senate Armed Services Committee:
Subcommittees:
Airland
Emerging Threats and Capabilities
Readiness and Management Support
Senate Committee on Environment & Public Works
Subcommittees:
Subcommittee on Superfund and Environmental Health (Chair)
Subcommittee Clean Air and Nuclear Safety
Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure
Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & PensionsSubcommittees:
Children and Families
Employment & Workplace Safety
Senate Special Committee on Aging
vs.
6 months kissing BHO’s a$$

Hillary retains her independence by remaining in the Senate. That is where I prefer to see her. As Secretary of State she can be fired at any time. She would be a convenient scapegoat for his screw-ups.

Also my understanding is that Michelle hates the Clintons and Bill in particular. Isn’t Michelle the only living person that Barack said he would seek advice from? (Typical white person granny was the other one he said he would consult. But unless Barack does decide to hold seances after all, he won’t be consulting granny now.)

Didn’t Michelle say she wanted to scratch Bill’s eyes out? Isn’t her “whitey” tape rant supposedly brought on by her hatred of Bill Clinton? Would Hillary tell Bill to stay home from White House events she must attend so he won’t upset Michelle? Just picture Bill upstaging Obama at every event the Clintons attend at the White House.

This might shed some light on the process:

http://narcosphere.narconews.com/thefield/freak-show-behind-clinton-secretary-state-rumors

Larry,
I didn’t see this article referenced in any of the messages and it is something to consider…

I’m very torn about what she should do. She won’t have very much power in the Senate as long as Nancy is The Speaker. If Harry leaves, the remaining old war horses will big foot her right out of the line. Several days ago there was a blog on NQ about Teddy refusing Hillary to have a subcommittee formed on health care for her to chair.

From The Daily Beast
More on the Hillary-Obama Meeting

Marc Ambinder has more details on the much-discussed Obama-Clinton meeting this morning. The meeting was private, without Rahm Emanuel in the room, and was not a formal interview. Its purpose was to discuss “ways they can work together.” The rumors originated with New York Democrats, who are already angling for their preferred candidates to replace her as senator. In Washington, people are saying Obama wants Clinton in his cabinet more than Hillary wants to be in it—by accepting the post, she gives up her power base, loses her seat forever, and loses her voice on domestic policy. Why might Obama want Hillary? According to MSNBC’s Chuck Todd, “to get her out of the Senate. Just ask George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and Jimmy Carter what it was like to have a once or future presidential rival in the Senate serving as a one-person Roman tribunal.”

Secrets, secrets, secrets!

“The Obama campaign did not immediately return a request for comment on whose motorcade preceded Obama’s out of the underground garage beneath the Kluczynski Federal Building Thursday evening”

“….Obama returned to his Transition headquarters at 4:15 p.m., when he could have had the meeting with Clinton or whoever else was in the motorcade.”

Chicago-Sun Times

(other media tv sources said earlier today)

“Hillary came away believing the job is hers if she wants it”

(of course we have to take media reports like that with a grain of salt)

finger’s crossed X here

Hillary has no shot at 2012. This apparently was a sealed deal or it appears so.

We could not have a sharper or more capable Sec’y as Hillary knows the world and its leaders. Her strength and smarts will be put to great use as head of State.

Kerry is not likeable, and too self centered & diffident. Richardson just isn’t up to this. Next to Hillary he’s a lightweight. This is a job that clearly demands intellect, guts,& hard work along with the unique experience Hillary brings with her knowledge of the players and the stakes. She’s met them all and knows what she’s doing. She also knows the valuable players from Albright and could create a great State Dept.

A business man in Berlin once told me:
“In politics and business You find the best people always in the second row. The people at the top have a certain character structure, that stands in the way of being a morally, professional and human being”
seems to be true once again.

Foreign press say the rest the world is THRILLED by Hillary as SOS.

Polls show she is the most famous senate politician in the world with a high approval rating.

They don’t want to listen to Kerry drone on.

And Richardson — he OWES his career to Bill Clinton and Bubba should have never chosen this lightweight.

Richardson is an opportunist with no talent.

If she’s SOS we can kiss universal health care good-bye. Better for her to stay in Senate than to have Obama as her boss.

Larry - As always I very much enjoy your posts - Can’t help but smile at your writers elbows. With all that we are going to face over the next 4 years due to the economic mess we are in, I truly wish HRC was going to be president but in State she may well have the bigger job since this economic mess is global it will take a knowledgable savy respected person of her calibre to negotiate those difficult foreign waters. And if the grumblings from the political class in Europe and Asia that have been cropping up in the papers are any indication, those foreign water may not be as warm and welcoming for Barack as our media would like to project.

Even the “first read” people at MSNBC see this as a way to get her out of the senate where she could pose a serious threat to Oblamo’s way out there policies, and the same thing goes for McCain, who they report he is meeting with on Monday. Of course they say he’s not offering him a position, but the Obama camp isn’t saying WHO they are offering anything to.

Obama wants them both out of the senate, is my take, and I see them as teaming up IN the senate to protect Americas best interests.
————

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/11/14/1674694.aspx

Richardson reminds me of a guy in my area who owns a franchise of six Subway Sandwich Stores and walks around gladhanding everyone.

Yet, engage him a conversationa nd his lack of knowedge is painfully obvious.

Richardson with a beard looks like this guy too.

…Conversely, giving Hillary that job would be seen by most Hillary supporters as a great peace offering and the kind of gesture that many believe should have been extended when she suspended her campaign…

Sorry Larry; not me. Those posting at other sites are leaning ‘no’ as well.

I think most of you are wrong. Hillary is very agressive and she will not follow the “bid” of the President. The sec of state abides by the rules of the President, and I cannot see her not pushing in her agenda as she visits other countries. I believe Michelle Obama and Barrack is aware of the arguments that might arise from choosing her. To me it is a step down , I believe Speaker of the House is more powerful and also can be flexable in basing their own opinions. I guess it would be a slap now that the Hillary camp is leaking this “not yet” offered position. How hard up can the camp get? I guess they didn’t think he would win, remember, she said he was unelectable, and now are faced with his reign. Hillary in my opinion made the biggest error in her life, she threw the dice and lost. All the dirt out there could have helped her, now she will not have a chance in 2012. I heard from a good source that Lt Gov Steel will win and his intentions concerning getting the republican party to clean up fraud, and bringing back conservatives will be his goal to shape up the 2012 election. I, for one, still believe that Sarah Palin will be the first woman President. I wished it was Hillary, but, she threw the dice in the wrong direction and now is seen by many as a person who betrayed her country. Obama is doing everything even now to make sure Palin is not competing with him. I thank G-d for Steel being the first African American that will represent the moderates, and conservative republicans, independents and even ex-hillary supporters.

I don’t know if this was a deliberate leak or not but the entire affair is disgusting, and does not say much for our politics and the people it surrounds.

What the hell is this wheeling and dealing power play by all of them, this country has enough problems and its time they start to work to fix it, not jockey each other to see who can get the highest ranking post, my god no wonder we are in a mess, how can anyone support people like that.

All they are doing is thinking of what politics has for them and not really the dam country.

So let’s see we for the last few months we have railed against Barack obama, to the point of voting republicans just so roll over and be all happy with up raised glasses of Koolaid, just because he hints he is nominating hilary? Have we forgotten that even though Hillary Campaigned for this man his campaign strung up sarah palin and gutted her. Do you really think Clinton will able to protect us from obama’s stupidity. think about it! obama was capable of turning feminist into a bunch of rabid Palin hater. i know i have a tendency to be contrary, and go against the grain, but are people in this country that easily bought? I know people are scared, but wake the heck up, it this same mentality that has us caught up an war we never should have been in. Bush was able to scare people in line. Now you are allowing you respect for hillary override a neccesary fear of obama’s treturous nature. iwould also like to point out that Hillary as Sec of State only deals with things out side of the country, who’s gonna stop obama when he tries to bankrupt the coal industry and to increase energy prices to CHANGE OUR BEHAVIOR. this man is crazy, but hey it will all be great if clinton gets SOS. This is a shameless ploy by obama to cover up what was done to palin. One of my coworkers who disliked obama, voted for him because she thought obama would give clinton a high position, she also thought palin was stupid, and was willing to over look what a mysogonist and friends was cause she thinks clinton will get thrown a bone. Obama’s ex defense adivsor called clinton a monster, his wife insulted clintons ability to take care of home. why does know one see that if clinton excepts this position it means that the future is actually more dismal than they thought it was. Cause what is says is that even hillary and most ravenous supporters can be bought. Sorry guys can’t sell myself respect to obama.

I have really conflicted feelings about this possibility. Would HRC make a fabulous SOS. Absolutely. And how ironic that the press is admitting that she’s familiar with so many of the world’s leaders and has traveled to all corners of the world.

Remember during the primary, she was laughingly referred to as “‘just’ a First Lady.”

In one way, I’d like to think there would be at least one member of the cabinet I personally could feel confortable with. In another way, I don’t want her in any way attached to this administration.

Something that caught my eye in someone’s post was a comment about the Democratic Party Brass who all wanted Hillary as the nominee. Really?? It sure didn’t look that way to me. In fact, I saw the reverse–a steamroller crushing the whole lily-livered bunch, bowing down down to a faux-prince because they were all so terribly afraid of hearing the one word, a word I’ve heard repeatedly and been called over this past year: racist.

Never in my life have been so ashamed, so appalled by the Democratic Party.

The only person that gives me hope is Hillary Clinton. If she takes the job, I know she’ll be spectacular. And if they try to destroy her? Well, then it’s time for one of Jefferson’s suggested revolutions.

As I said, I’m terribly conflicted at this point. Maybe that’s why I went out and bought a new gun this morning.

Pretty grim.

BTW: the gun stores are doing a hell of a business right now. What does that tell you?

I’m not thrilled about the idea, (I won’t be able to bash his administration as much) but I think Hillary will do the right thing for herself and the country, if asked.

Great article Larry.

Hillary may just yet save American hegemony for another hundred years.

For anyone interested, the way that world leadership generally trades hands is in roughly hundred year cycles…..

we got the 20th—the question is whether we’ll get the 21st.

Hillary as SOS makes that MUCH MORE LIKELY, and accordingly, makes MUCH MORE LIKELY less deaths worldwide from armed conflict of any kind.

You know Judas gets a bad rap, don’t get me wrong sellling someone isn’t cool, but if you want to know what stung like a bitch, that was when Peter, Jesus’s friend denied even knowing him. You expect you accountant to screw you but not your firends. Luckly i don’t take friendships seriously, but i do have a very good concept of right and wrong and if clinton aligns herself with obama i will hope for her failure just like i hope for his. Obama’s gotta go in 2012 and he will take his trash with him when he leaves.

Larry what are your thoughts on BO’s birth certificate issues? Do you think any of these lawsuits will stop him before he is sworn in?

Hillary should be Secretary of State. She’d be awesome and she’d be the next president. She deserves this and John Kerry would be a disaster! Bill Richardson would be a total disaster.

Then RFK, Jr. for Secretary of the Interior and there would be two good people in the administration. Two great Democrats readying for future president.

You know one thing i must say for obama, he knows everyone has a price, and it took him a while but he has definately found most of yours. maybe i’m just irritable and need more sleep so can go to work, but the idea that at least half of the people on this board are getting in the kooliad line is a bit annoying for me. Let me go to sleep maybe i will wake up refreshed and less annoyed by those jumping on the obama bullsh*t express. night all, i love you dearly but after almost 40 hours of understanding my crazy co worker with another eight hours to go taxes my apathy tank. So i’m probably caring more about this than i should. Night all hope to return later tomorrow or sunday with a better attitude.

Obama sure knows the trick of the game of politics, throw the masses a bone, give Hillary a big posting then all of a sudden sit back and watch all his minions eating out of his hands.

Brilliant it will he hard for Hillary supporters to say one word against him now after he was so kind to Hillary lol

I’m pretty fed up with all the political Nostradamus’ here who claim Hillary “has no shot at 2012″.

Really? Obama could very well be indicted before his first term is over or fail so miserably at the presidency (in all likelihood) that he’s forced to do an LBJ and not run for re-election.

Couldn’t disagree more with you on this one, Larry. Joseph Cannon has it right and I’ve already written Hillary via the links at this Hillbuzz post to warn her off!

Conversely, giving Hillary that job would be seen by most Hillary supporters as a great peace offering and the kind of gesture that many believe should have been extended when she suspended her campaign. It would go a long way in healing the rift among many of the Hillary backers who voted for McCain.

Bullsh*t. I don’t see it as a peace offering, and it goes NO way to healing any rift. Hillary would be crazy to accept the job. She’s just about the only sane voice in the Senate and she’s needed to keep The Pretender and his minions under control. Take her out of the Senate and you open the door for chaos.

I hope he doesn’t offer it to her, and if he does I hope she doesn’t accept.

And the hilarity continues. Larry clearly thinks Hilary would be a great choice — and I don’t disagree — but he can’t saying nasty things about Obama in the process. By this point, the No Quarter response is Pavlovian.

I think Hillary should not be secState. As someone who donated the max and campaigned for her, I do not want her to be part of the Obama administration. Obama is a fake, an affirmative action candidate and president elect.
Hillary should have been elected President, she is the best candidate for the job.
Race trumps gender but race is not about all races, only the blacks. Certainly nothing about Asians — always wondered why Asians are not a minority: by numbers they are and by the way they started from the bottom up. So, go figure…

Maybe a silver lining is that affirmative action may be gone forever??

I just moved from Michigan to Texas — I can see affirmative action in full force, much more so than in Michigan.

If you have a black in charge of a department, you will see more blacks hired into that department;

if you have a hispance in charge, you see hispancis hired.

I object to this type of practice, plain and simple.

Kgirl 1028, I agree with you 100%.

>>> Powell was and is the quintessential butt snorkeler…

An artful turn of phrasing.

I don’t know where everyone is buying the MSM pablum that HRC could never run against a sitting POTUS. It happens nearly once a decade!

Bobby Kennedy (D) VS. Johnson (D)
Ted Kennedy (D) VS. Carter (D)
Pat Buchanan (R) VS. George Bush I (R)

And so on…

If the sitting POTUS is unpopular they usually have a challenger from their party. Why?

Because IF enough people in the party believes the sitting POTUS will LOSE to the opposing party they will support a challenger to keep the White House.

Bobby Kennedy would have won had he not been assassinated. Ted Kennedy probably would have won had the Iran Hostage situation not cropped up.

It’s nonsense to say that HRC wouldn’t run in 2012 if Obama’s approval rating was horrible and the country was worse off and felt fooled by all his promises.

HRC could resign as SOS and mount a run. She could also announce from the Senate. It all depends on how Obama does as POTUS.

Obama: I know that I cheated during the primaries, and I don’t think it is a good idea for you to be my vice president but I think that you should take it as an honor that I am offering to you the Secretary of State post.

Clinton: Oh thank you, your highness!

Obama: Remember Hillary, it is part of your job to make me look good so whatever bird-brained idea I come up with you have to sell to the public.

Clinton: Absolutely, your eminence. You can also make me as your scapegoat when things go awry. I’m all yours.

IS THIS HOW WE WANT THIS TO GO?

Run away from this backstabbing, corrupt fraud as fast as you can, Hillary! He’ll use you and then fire you in a year. You won’t have the power of the people who elected you to the Senate, where you can do the most good for NY and America. BO wants you OUT of the Senate so he can cheat again and put one of his fascist cohorts in your place.

Reject him, Hillary!!!

Larry again you get it only half right. The dynamic duo of Hillary and Bill Clinton would be a real blessing at State. Hillary could do the heavy lifting while Bill does the glad-handing.

But you forget that more than Daily KOS has it in for the lady in the pants-suite. There is a huge right wing noise machine that still despises the Clintons and will do anything to sabotage Bill and Hillary.

Being totally cynical I can see the rabid right, the rabid left and very secretly both Kerry and Richardson joining together to nix Hillary’s elevation. Being even more cynical I see Obama using the fact of such a cabal to eliminate both Kerry and Richardson from consideration. Kerry stays grumpily in the Senate whilst Richardson dejectedly polishes his resumes in the knowledge that he is completely toxic as part of any national political team. Obama pulls off a nifty if very nasty triple play and the three base runners trudge off the field and into political irrelevance. That’s politics Chicago style.

But then Kerry and Richardson are both players so they are fully aware of such an outcome. If Hillary’s nomination becomes official they will have to plaster on happy faces and look for other positions in the Obama administration. Interior for Kerry perhaps? He can definitely open up opportunities for his fellow wind-surfers from there. And for Richardson perhaps HHS or Homeland Security?

State is open for Hillary if she wants it. Does she want it? Or is she going to play vulture and wait for the “lion of the Senate” to finally lay down in the soft grass? How much of a voice in health care is Ted Kennedy willing to give Hillary? It’s Teddy’ last great performance, he might not want others on the stage for his final bow. Hillary wants a big part in her signature issue, but Teddy might be a bear about that.

As SOS Hillary could make a huge difference. She has spent years on the Armed Services committee and that make her the perfect person to demilitarize our foreign policy. She knows exactly where the low hanging fruit is. She knows the jobs that the military wants State to take back.

Let us not forget Hillary’s other great strength, she is a policy wonk extraordinaire. Exactly the type of person who can submerge themselves in the tedious nit-picking required at State. N.Q. denizen will be surprised how neatly their pant-suited hawk aligns with the President-elect. For you ex-military types Hillary will play X.O. to Barack’s C.O. Barack will be the velvet glove while Hillary will be the mailed fist. This alliance, if it happens ,will go way beyond Israel and the Middle East. Obama and Bill Clinton can play nice-nice while Hillary plays mother superior with the 36 inch steel ruler. “Mr Kim Jong il, show me your hands! Mr. Ahmadinejad stop squirming back there if you know what’s good for you!”

And let us be even more blunt, if she gets this chance it is a way she can covertly erase her support of the Iraq war. She can be the person who brings sanity into Mesopotamia and extracts the U.S. from the quick sand of W’s Mission unaccomplished. Very few people get a second chance to correct such a error. Bonus points in the fact that she does not even have to even admit the error.

For Obama Hillary’s elevation also covers a multitude of sins. He knows that Hillary will lead the charge for women all over the world. He knows she will carry that banner high. And he gets to bask in the reflective glow of Hillary’s other core issue. It’s win-win if both of them have the smarts to make it work.

The large economy-sized fly in the ointment are the Hillary haters. The gaggle at the Big Orange Satan is not much of an issue. They can be sold on the idea of keeping your friends close but your enemies closer. Some MoveOn types might blow a gasket but they don’t have much sway. The folks that can scuttle this have R’s by their name. They have the means (the Fox News/ right-wing radio noise machine) and the motivation ( hurt a Democratic President elect, make him a lame duck before he even gets sworn in.)

Larry, this is a fine how-do-you-do for you and your readers. You and your readers are the best firewall against a right-wing smear attack against the nomination of HRC to SOS. To get “your” gal who is “ready from day one” into her “rightful office”, to really make it happen, you might have to come to Obama’s defense. Isn’t that a kick in the crotch?

Is she a good enough liar to be SOS? Even Condi gave it away -her eyes would wander -when she was telling big porkies.

I do not think Obama would want HRC out there thousands of miles from his control.

In the breach is where you find souls like Senator Clinton.

Joe Biden and Hillary see things eye to eye more so than BO and it is an admission of inexperience on BO’s part, but as a choice it would be a good one.

At a minimum Hillary’s counsel would eliminate any possibilty of BO blaming his lack of judgement on anyone else.

“Scary smart” is how Mr. Johnson described Senator clinton. We saw this first hand as she campaigned.

I really want her nominated to the SUPREME COURT.

The one person who stood up to Obama the most would insulate him from tunnel vision and rose colored analysis. If all he wanted was a$$ kissing he’d probably have named Kerry already.

This is probably the usual symbolic attempt to claim cover off of Clinton’s successful track record. The Democratics have done that before. Use them to bolster the party, then discard them pluasibly.

The news alone could bolster some market uncertainty, but that item is trending to a long recession.

Having a bigger name around to blame when some of this stuff hits the fan, that would be a consideration to reflect upon as well.

Also, the rumored consideration totally disarms his suppoed piety about war votes and what the world would think. Obama needs someone to blame for the war’s continuation.

We’ll be greeted as occupiers.

Forget SOS. Hillary for President!

This new Calif. lawsuit is worth reading. In addition to questions about BO eligibility based on birth, there are numerous other citizenship (eligibility) questions:

http://americamustknow.com/Documents/Final%20writ%20Keyes%20v%20Bowen.pdf

It just needs to be filed in the other 49 states — especially those that Obama carried that have Republican Secretaries of State.

Ultimately it’s all about whomever the Electors choose in mid-December, whether the person was on the ballot or not.

We can all agree that BO has a huge ego. I believe that he wants to go down in history as being a great man, a man of “change”. Yet, you see him selecting many of the people who were connected to the Clinton administation, so, so much for change. Does he really want to get rid of the Clintons more than his desire for greatness? I think his ego and desire to go down in history as one of the greatest Presidents, will make him to turn to the Clintons more and more. I believe he realizes he is in way over his head, and needs help. Who better to help him than someone from a Presidency that was truly successful. I’m not sure if this is the best thing for Hillary, but BO would be smart to have her in his cabinet. I would trust Hillary with the SOS, and I would feel better about America’s future with her in that position.

Nominating Hillary would be the first smart thing Bobo has done. And the prospect of slapping down Kerry and Richardson fills me with glee!

Well i have woken up and am at work, and refreashed, I’m not siging off on this. Long ago i set my price at 6.42 billion dollars and I seriously doubt obama can afford me. However i can give those hopping on the BS Express hugs, kisses, flowers and wish you and hillary Bon Voyage. But this chick is sticking with her standards and her expensive price tag. I can not wish you luck but i can wish you well. For obama on the other hand, the third digit on both my hands are raised high, i don’t want him to think i’m scratching my nose. I’m flipping the little snit off not once but twice. One for hillary and the other for sarah palin.

Larry, I agree with you. As much as I can’t stand anything Barky, I think this provides an opportunity for Hillary to create a lasting positive legacy for herself in history. She would be an outstanding Sec. of State because she has the knowledge, intellect, and wisdom for the job. I don’t think she wants to run again for President and there are too many uncontrollable political forces in the Senate. I did want Kerry to be tapped only to get him the hell out of my state but Hillary would be a much better choice!

Hmmm…after reading the 300+ comments on this, I have to agree with those who say that this is Obama’s way of “getting her out of the way while keeping an eye on here”. I don’t WANT her to get out of his way, I WANT her to GET IN HIS FACE…the same way he told his effing Obamatrons to get in peoples’ faces.

There is no doubt that Hillary would be awesome at the SOS position. No doubt whatsoever. But when you think about it, Hillary could be hired as White House groundskeeper and she’d still make the position eclipse Obama’s ineptitude as president.

I say stay in the Senate and hedge your bets, Hillary. You’re too good to become Obama’s Colin Powell.

As a Republican, I find this fascinating. Of course, like Larry, I assume this is a “keep your friends close, keep your enemies closer move” by Obama.

Here’s the key: this can only mean one thing-Bob Gates won’t be around Defense for long. However, watch Obama go out and find some ruthless, ambitious sumbitch who could both match Clinton as a strong SECDEF and also tie her up in knots in the Cabinet.

So, I hear Dick Cheney is out of a job come Jan 20th. No, but seriously, a Sam Nunn or, perish the thought, James A. Baker III figure who could hold his ground against Hillary in the Cabinet. Couple that with a strong national security advisor (not Susan Rice or Samantha Power) and you’ve got Hillary boxed in at Foggy Bottom.

Meantime, you buy off Bill Clinton with the ambassadorship to the Court of St. James.

Watch and see if things don’t play out like I think they will. Obama is maneuvering to neuter Hillary Clinton so she doesn’t become Senate Majority Leader.