The Politico is reporting some speculation that Hillary Clinton might decline Barack Obama’s offer to serve as Secretary of State:
Hillary Rodham Clinton isn’t certain she would accept the Secretary of State post even if Barack Obama offers it to her, several people close to the former first lady say.
Press reports that portray Clinton as willing to accept the job – once the Obama transition team vets Bill Clinton’s philanthropic and business ventures – are inaccurate, one Clinton insider told Politico.
“A lot of the speculation and reporting is out ahead of the facts here,” said the person, who requested anonymity. “She is still weighing this, independent of President Clinton’s work.”
Clinton, the person said, remains deeply “torn” between the possibility of serving in Obama’s cabinet and remaining in the Senate to “help pass health care and work on a broad range of domestic issues.”
That comment jibes with what others close to Clinton have been saying since the Secretary of State chatter began last week: that Clinton is conflicted and the deal far from done, despite screaming headlines in outlets including the U.K.’s Guardian newspaper claiming the offer was made and accepted
There is an interesting little kabuki dance going on here, and I think Alan Stewart Carl gets pretty close to what’s likely going on inside Hillary’s head:
I think it’s clear by this leak that Clinton wants to make this appear to be her decision, not something Obama lured her in to and not something her husband can facilitate or complicate by his oversized presence. Clinton’s not going to do anything at this point that’s not good for Clinton. If she ends up in Obama’s cabinet, you better believe it will appear to be as a favor to Obama (and duty to country). I don’t see it happening any other way.
If Hillary does want to have a political future beyond Foggy Bottom, that’s the only way she can let this appear. Otherwise, she looks like she’s capitulated to Obama.
Along the same lines, Chris Cillizza at the Post says Hillary may not be sure what to do next:
For a moment put yourself in Clinton’s shoes. Imagine if a longtime life aspiration had been foreclosed relatively suddenly; you probably would not begin immediately to plot your next move, but rather would, almost assuredly, take some time to figure out what your options were and what you really wanted to do with the rest of your life.
So it is with Clinton, according to those familiar with her thinking.
“She is definitely unsure of what to do,” said one Clinton adviser granted anonymity to speak candidly about the New York senator’s state of mind. “She was flattered by the offer and thinks Senator Obama and his team have been good to work with.”
The source added that if Clinton ultimately decides against the job, it won’t be because of the vetting process but rather because her interest in domestic policy issues — particularly health care and energy policy — ultimately trumps her desire to play a large role on the foreign stage.
Of course, if you’re a Clinton conspiracy theorist, there’s another explanation:
If you ascribe to that idea, then this push by her advisers to paint Clinton as equivocating on her desire for the position could well be part of a power struggle between her and Obama; a public show of force to make clear that just because the president-elect has asked her for something doesn’t mean she is in any rush to accede.
Only time will tell, I suppose.
