WASHINGTON – We may soon be calling Hillary Rodham Clinton “Madame Secretary.”
President-elect Barack Obama is considering the New York senator and former first lady for secretary of state – an appointment that would go a long way toward healing the wounds left by their bruising Democratic primary.
Two Democratic officials confirmed that Clinton – long rumored to be a contender for the job – is under serious consideration.
Adding to the intrigue, Obama and Clinton met yesterday in Chicago, according to a Democratic official who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to release the information.
Clinton’s motorcade was seen leaving Obama’s office complex shortly before he left for the day.
“Any speculation about Cabinet or other administration appointments is really for President-elect Obama’s transition team to address,” said Clinton adviser Philippe Reines. The Obama campaign declined to discuss any of the administration positions that haven’t been announced.
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Other Democrats believed to be in the running for secretary of state are New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson and Sen. John Kerry, the party’s 2004 nominee for president. Another widely discussed contender is former Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle, who is close to Obama and has many ties to his staff.
But Hillary has a “better than average Rolodex,” noted political strategist Michael McKenna. And she has “the ability to leverage Bill and the residual good will toward him.”
The notion of Hillary Clinton as secretary of state was floated earlier in the year, when Democrats were trying to think of ways to lure her out of the bruising race against Obama.
Since the election, the buzz over Hillary has been building.
“The pick of the former presidential contender and Senate Armed Services Committee member would go a long way toward healing any remaining divisions within the Democratic Party after the divisive primaries,” DC gossip writer Al Kamen blogged for The Washington Post.
The speculation gained momentum after Clinton accepted an award at the Glamour Women of the Year ceremony Monday.
“Whether it’s standing up for women who have been denied their rights or being the secretary of state and carrying the burden of that office, there are so many ways each of us can make a difference,” she said. Clinton was referring to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who got a Glamour Award, but it was enough to stir up Beltway gossip mongers.
It’s unclear whether Clinton would even want the position. And some wondered if the Obama camp – which is very disciplined about unwanted leaks – is simply trying to compliment her by suggesting she’s in the running.
With AP