Obama Planning to Nominate Hillary Clinton as Top Diplomat

In an unusual twist, an aide of President-elect Barack Obama revealed yesterday that Obama was definitely planning on nominating Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton as secretary of state, the nation’s top diplomatic position, after the Thanksgiving holiday. Obama and Clinton, who clashed bitterly at times during the democratic primaries earlier in the year, would appear at first glance to make an odd couple in the new president’s inner circle. Some, in fact, are questioning whether Clinton is herself too ambitious and independent to serve effectively in the position.

Despite that, assuming the position of secretary of state would be yet another milestone for Clinton, who was the first former first lady to serve in the Senate and run for the White House. The source noting some of the details of Obama’s planned nomination have requested anonymity, presumably because Obama is not ready to formally announce the nomination. Aides have told the press, however, that there have been a number of financial disclosure issues to overcome prior to the nomination, mostly related to international funding for former President Bill Clinton’s foundation, which operates in over 40 countries around the world.

While the news of Clinton’s soon to be officially announced nomination is grabbing headlines, other posts within the fledgling Obama administration are also being filled. Obama is apparently set to choose Janet Napolitano, the governor of Arizona, as the secretary of homeland security and has informally selected attorney Eric Holder as attorney general as well as Tom Daschle as health secretary. Word is that Defense Secretary Robert Gates will likely stay in that position at least temporarily until moving over for former Navy Secretary Richard Danzig.