“I don’t consider him a particularly reliable source of information.”
- Hillary Clinton on Dick Cheney
Washington Post has more on the “Return of Hillary Clinton“
It wasn’t the most stirring defense, but a defense it was, and it served as a reminder of Clinton’s relatively low-profile in the first months of her tenure. To an extent, that [...]

Barack Obama is now turning Wednesdays into his own upscale version of Chamber of Commerce/Rotary Club mixers, serving up cocktails, Maryland crab, Wagyu beef, Nantucket scallops and citrus salad — according to a recent Associated Press review of 2009 White House parties.
I confess to not knowing what Wagyu beef is, but I do know the [...]

What a difference a day makes…
ALBANY – Gov. Paterson, defying the liberal wing of his Democratic Party, has chosen little-known, NRA-backed, upstate Congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand to succeed Hillary Rodham Clinton as New York’s junior senator, it was learned last night.
The surprising – and, for many Democrats shocking – decision to pick the conservative Gillibrand, [...]

She tried to hold fundraisers to drive down the total, but after Bill’s post-presidency fundraising was revealed recently, I can understand why she put a stop to it and just ate the remaining.
But that doesn’t mean she’s out of the woods yet…

According to fillings with the Federal Election Commission, Mrs. Clinton forgave a total of [...]

She doesn’t want to be involved in the “Stop Caroline” campaign in any way, and she’s making that crystal clear.
From Politico:

Prominent Clinton supporters, including Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y.), union leader Stuart Applebaum and fundraiser Robert Zimmerman, recently expressed skepticism about the choice, suggesting that Clinton’s supporters would see naming Kennedy — a crucial Obama backer [...]

It’s official. She wants it.
And frankly, it could be refreshing to have somebody who hasn’t been a diehard political operative in that seat.
From Politico:
Her move raises the pressure on New York Governor David Paterson either to choose her or to select someone else soon, as Kennedy’s rivals for the seat have already begun to [...]

Obama’s golden wordsmith, Jon Favreau, is the guy on the left, and while this is certainly a big nothingburger, he has still had to apologize for it.
From Wash Post:
Asked about the photos, Favreau, who was recently appointed director of speechwriting for the White House, declined comment. A transition official said that Favreau had “reached out [...]

Not that this was ever really a realistic scenario, given that he’d have to give up his jet setting lifestyle to do a thankless job…but this was speculation we just couldn’t pass up.
From CNN:
Responding to such speculation, Clinton spokesman Matt McKenna tells CNN that “it’s completely false. President Clinton is excited to expand the work [...]

With Hillary Clinton headed to Foggy Bottom in January, speculation about her successor is heating up:
The task of choosing a successor falls to David Paterson, New York’s Democratic governor. Whomever he picks would serve for two years, before a special election in November 2010 to decide who fills the last two years of Clinton’s term.
Paterson [...]

Just in case you didn’t catch it earlier…

And the team speaks…

I like all the picks, including Jones and Gates. Obama has to make sure the military understand that he’s a friend, and those two picks will do much to send that message.
The only problem? I think Obama will run into some controversy with Eric [...]

I posted about this around the time we heard whispers about Hillary becoming Secretary of State, but I can’t help but post it again…

Is it me, or was this one of those moments during the campaign where the mood and momentum started to shift in Obama’s favor? Because right after this Obama won Iowa and [...]

After all the lead up, Barack Obama has officially announced Hillary Clinton as his choice to be Secretary of State. Said Obama of Clinton:
She possesses an extraordinary intelligence and toughness, and a remarkable work ethic. … She is an American of tremendous stature who will have my complete confidence, who knows many of the world’s [...]

This was the last thing that needed to happen, and Bill agreed to it last night. But it looks as if the Obama administration will really try to keep the ex-President in check because there were more conditions. A lot more.
From NY Times:
CHICAGO — Former President Bill Clinton has agreed to disclose publicly the names [...]

10:40 a.m. ET to be exact.
We all know the names by now.
Gen. Jim Jones for National Security Adviser. Robert Gates for Defense Secretary. And Hillary Clinton for Secretary of State.
CNN has the other names…
Also, two sources close to the transition said Obama will nominate Susan Rice as United Nations ambassador, Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano as [...]

It hasn’t reached the mainstream media yet, but in the days since Hillary Clinton’s nomination to be Barack Obama’s Secretary of State became official, there’s been some discussion of a little-known provision in the Constitution that could bar Hillary Clinton from serving at Foggy Bottom:
[S]pecifically, Article One, Section Six, also known as the emoluments clause. [...]

It’s supposedly a done deal, so now the press can stop chattering about the Clintons being duplicitous and just accept the fact that Obama is genuinely forming a team of rivals.
From NY Times:
Mrs. Clinton came to her decision after additional discussion with President-elect Barack Obama about the nature of her role and his plans for [...]

Some on the following Hardball panel think it’s “crazy” and say she’s looking to 2012. But what exactly will she be doing in 2012? Not running for President?
In any event…

I think Hillary should take this spot for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is this seems to be a good stepping stone [...]

The will-she-or-won’t-she questions surrounding Hillary Clinton and the State Department took yet another turn this morning. Seems like Bill Clinton is willing to make some concessions to help his wife land the job:
Clinton has agreed to release the names of several major donors to his charitable foundation and will submit future foundation activities and paid [...]

The air-tight campaign of Barack Obama has turned into the leak-a-minute transition of president-Elect Obama. Floating names is obviously important but, if things don’t work out, it can make Obama’s team look sloppy. Is that what’s about to happen with the whole Hillary Clinton at State scenario? Apparently, she may not be interested.
Hillary Rodham Clinton [...]

Earlier today we heard that Bill Clinton is getting vetted just to make sure that nothing embarrassing comes out if Hillary says yes, and now we hear that she’s going to accept the position…so does this mean that the vetting of Bill is over or close to it?
In any event…from the Guardian…
Hillary Clinton plans to [...]