Rumor has it that Hillary Clinton is at the top of the Obama cabinet short-list for Secretary of State. According to Politico, out of a field that includes John Kerry and Bill Richardson, Clinton:
"would be most attractive if Obama concludes that he will have to focus his early days in office on the domestic economy, and will have to essentially outsource heavy-duty foreign travel to his secretary of state."
Other gossip suggests that the sometimes acrimonious Democratic primary season is actually a mark in Clinton's favor, since Obama has made it clear that he believes in the leadership style Doris Kearns Goodwin described of Abraham Lincoln. Obama told katie Couric last January,
"[Goodwin] talks about Lincoln's capacity to bring opponents of his and people who have run against him in his cabinet. And he was confident enough to be willing to have these dissenting voices...It's a remarkable study in leadership.”
In spite of the points in Clinton's favor, there is concern among some that her husband, the former president would be too annoying a "back-seat driver" if Hillary were in the Cabinet. Then again, some say having Bill as a known quantity on the team is safer than having him lurking somewhere in the hedges outside the White House.
I think Hillary Clinton would make a terrific Secretary of State. She's tough, but also kind of charming, which seem to me like critical qualities for the job. John Kerry may or may not be tough, but I definitely don't find him charming. Who would you pick?
Related:
Morning News: Is Hillary Back?
