One week after the former primary
rivals met to discuss the idea of
Clinton becoming the nation's top
diplomat, the two sides were moving
quickly toward making it a reality.
Clinton has been mulling the post
for several days, but a transition
aide's comments suggested that
Obama's team does not feel she is
inclined to turn it down.
Some Democrats and government
insiders have questioned whether
Clinton is too independent and
politically ambitious to be an
effective secretary of state. But
President-elect Barack Obama is said
to admire her talents and
experience, as do many other
Democrats.
Clinton would have to surrender her
New York Senate seat, which she has
held for eight years, to take the
job.
Other appointments
Clinton spokesman Philippe
Reines would not comment Thursday
night, except to say that anything
about Cabinet appointments is for
Obama's transition team to address.
The president-elect also is likely
to choose Arizona Gov. Janet
Napolitano to be secretary of
homeland security, top Obama
advisers and several Democrats said
Thursday as the shape of Obama's
Cabinet begins to emerge.
The Obama advisers cautioned that no
final decision has been made on
putting Napolitano in charge of the
Homeland Security Department, the
massive agency created by Congress
after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist
attacks. But the advisers said she
was easily the top contender.
Thus far, Obama has informally
selected Washington lawyer Eric
Holder as attorney general and
former Senate Majority Leader Tom
Daschle as health secretary. The
plans could be sidetracked by
unexpected glitches in the final
vetting process, officials note.
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