Report: Hillary Clinton next Secretary of State

Posted by LCraven November 21, 2008 15:38PM

WASHINGTON -- Hillary Rodham Clinton has decided to give up her Senate seat and accept the position of secretary of state, making her the public face around the world for the administration of the man who beat her for the Democratic presidential nomination, two confidants told The New York Times today.

The apparent accord between perhaps the two leading figures in the Democratic Party climaxed a week-long drama that riveted the nation's capital.

Clinton came to her decision after additional discussion with President-elect Barack Obama about the nature of her role and his plans for foreign policy, said one of the confidants, who insisted on anonymity to discuss the situation.

Obama's office told reporters on Thursday that the nomination is "on track" but this is the first word from the Clinton camp that she has decided.

"She's ready," the confidant reportedly said, adding that Mrs. Clinton was reassured after talking again with Obama because their first meeting in Chicago last week "was so general." The purpose of the follow-up talk, he noted, was not to extract particular concessions but "just getting comfortable" with the idea of working together.