Will President-elect Barack Obama appoint Hillary Clinton as his Secretary of State? Or any other cabinet secretary post? There is strong speculation that he will based on reports from several news agencies. Although there are reports of other names in the political arena up for the position, it is Hillary's name that rings the loudest. The senator from New York, now on her second term, lost to Obama in a gritty battle for the Democratic Party's presidential nomination which, political observers say, divided the party. At one point, it was reported that loyal Clinton supporters were believed to be contemplating on supporting the Republican candidate due to their frustration. This was further aggravated after some Clinton supporters, hoping Obama would pick Hillary as his running mate, were again disappointed. However, any party division was avoided when Hillary Clinton, together with her husband, for President Bill Clinton, campaigned heavily for Barack Obama to secure a solid Democratic vote. Because of this,
many can't help but greet this news of Hillary Clinton's consideration for the Secretary of State position with apprehension.

Though no one is yet questioning Hillary Clinton's qualifications for the position of the country's top diplomat, it is but inevitable for the word 'payback' to be associated with this consideration. Bill Clinton especially campaigned hard for Barack Obama and this may be the Clintons' reward for their hard work and support. And even if Hillary doesn't end up with the state secretary position, political observers think Barack Obama will appoint her to another one. That's the way politics works, I guess.

Reaction in the forums and other blog posts about this news is mixed. Many are saying it is but expected in the world of politics while others have expressed their opposition to it because they "never liked Hillary", or the Clintons. Others, however, pointed to one valid reason why Hillary should not be considered for the post - a woman Secretary of State is a disadvantage in foreign relations with Arab countries where women are culturally considered inferior to their male counterparts. And at a time when the Middle East situation can best be described as volatile, this may be a valid argument.

But whatever argument anyone may have for or against the prospect of Hillary being Secretary of State, the sole decision rests President-elect Barack Obama. Appointing his cabinet is one of the privileges of the position and no one can question this prerogative.

According to Yahoo News, several other names are being considered for the Secretary of State post. They are: Sen. John Kerry, the 2004 Democratic presidential nominee; Sam Nunn, a Democrat and former Senate Armed Services Committee chairman; Sen. Chuck Hagel, an outspoken Republican member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee; and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, who was U.N. ambassador in former President Bill Clinton's administration and also sought the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination.

Hillary Clinton for Secretary of State?

Media reports about the Hillary Clinton Secretary of State rumor

NC's Andrea Mitchell:

Two Obama advisers have told NBC News that Hillary Clinton is under consideration to be secretary of state. Would she be interested? Those who know Clinton say possibly. But her office says that any decisions about the transition are up to the president-elect and his team.

Clinton was seen taking a flight to Chicago today, but an adviser says it was on personal business. It is unknown whether she had any meeting or conversation with Obama while there.

The Washington Post:

There's increasing chatter in political circles that the Obama camp is not overly happy with the usual suspects for secretary of state these days and that the field might be expanding somewhat beyond Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.), Gov. Bill Richardson (D-N.M.), Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.) and maybe former Democratic senator Sam Nunn of Georgia.

There's talk, indeed, that Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) may now be under consideration for the post. Her office referred any questions to the Obama transition; Obama spokesman Tommy Vietor declined to comment.

CNN:

One source close to Hillary Clinton tells CNN that as of early yesterday, Senator Clinton had not been contacted by the transition team about a possible cabinet appointment. This same source tells CNN that Senator Clinton would not necessarily dismiss such an offer.

A spokesman for Hillary Clinton, Philippe Reines, tells CNN "Any speculation about cabinet or other administration appointments is really for President-Elect Obama's transition team to address."

On Monday night, while walking into an awards ceremony in New York, Senator Clinton was asked if she would consider taking a post in the Obama administration. She replied, "I am happy being a Senator from New York, I love this state and this city. I am looking at the long list of things I have to catch up on and do. But I want to be a good partner and I want to do everything I can to make sure his agenda is going to be successful."

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