Obama Meets Clinton This Week, McCain Next Week

by Rob Walker | November 14, 2008 at 11:23 am

39 views | 0 Recommendations | 0 comments

President-Elect Barack Obama met with Senator Hillary Clinton in Chicago on Thursday, while rumours abound that she might be offered the Secretary of State position when he takes power in January.

According to a Democratic official, the two former presidential rivals met and spoke for a short time, although the nature of their conversation has remained private.

President-elect Barack Obama has met in Chicago with Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, who is under consideration for a top post such as secretary of state.

A Democratic official says the two former presidential rivals met Thursday afternoon in Obama's downtown office. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to release the information.

Obama will be meeting with defeated Republican candidate Sen. John McCain on Monday, Obama's camp announced Friday afternoon.

Obama also will meet with the man he defeated in the general election, Republican Sen. John McCain, on Monday, the Obama transition team announced Friday.

On Friday, Clinton responded to the latest rumors at a transit policy speech in Albany, New York.

"I'm very happy there is so much press attention and interest in transit," Clinton said to laughs.

Could Hillary Clinton be the next Secretary of State? She wouldn't be the first person offered a position from her husband's former team:

Come back, Clintons, all is forgiven. This seems to be Barack Obama's message as he draws up appointments for his administration — two thirds of which come from Bill Clinton's.

In a development unimaginable at the height of the primary battle, 31 of the 47 people so far appointed to the President-elect’s transition and White House teams have ties to the Clinton administration.

Others said to be under consideration for secretary of state include Massachusetts Senator John Kerry, Republican Senator Chuck Hagel of Nebraska, and New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson.

There are lots of people speculating on why Barack Obama would make Clinton Secretary of State. One of the main reasons could be to keep her from making a run at him in 2012 during the next presidential election:

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton? That’s what reports are saying. According to officials, Obama has narrowed the possibilities for Secretary of State, and Senator Hillary Clinton is among those being strongly considered. Some officials even call her the favorite. President-elect Barack Obama offering Sen. Clinton the position of Secretary of State exemplifies the notion of keeping your friends close and your enemies closer. The last thing Barack Obama wants is a supercharged Hillary Clinton potentially causing trouble in the Senate.

NowPublic member Sanjay Jha posted about it when the story broke earlier:

After failing to get Vice Presidential nomination from President elect Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton could be made the new secretary of state in the new administration.

0 See all footage | View Slideshow

Share: email story | add to any | | facebook | stumbleupon