Clinton choosen as Secretary of State

[1861]

I know I,m taking great comfort in all his picks.

[imperialism2024]

Uh-oh. The McCainaanites aren't going to be very happy. Now they can't claim "left wing anti-American nutjobs", and won't be able to as easily issue dire predictions about how the Muslims will be enlisted to confiscate all guns, knives, and blunt objects on January 22nd. Now they need to switch to criticizing the relatively moderate picks. I'm sure if he picked hardcore right-wingers, there would be talk of how he's secretly plotting to destroy the Republican party (if they hadn't already destroyed themselves).

C'mon guys, pick one! Are we headed for a civil war within the first quarter of 2009? Or is it just going to be the same gradual usurpation of rights that we've had over the past 148 years?

I'm voting for the latter.

[H.E. Pennypacker]

Originally Posted by phillyd2

I'm actually taken comfort by almost every nomination so far. Could do without the Sec of State and AG but overall he is picking seasoned veterans instead of radical left wing nuts.

Tell that to the college kids who swore this guy was going to change Washington, change the country, change the world. But I agree with you - he is being surprisingly pragmatic.

[FNG19]

Originally Posted by H.E. Pennypacker

Tell that to the college kids who swore this guy was going to change Washington, change the country, change the world. But I agree with you - he is being surprisingly pragmatic.

Plus ca change...

[MTechnik]

Originally Posted by Rick Thorne

Isn't it illegal according to the Constitution for a elected official to leave office for a higher paying non-elected position? Oh well who goes by the constitution any more? Bush said it was just a piece of paper and the voters elected a non citizen. I guess nobody cares!

Originally Posted by Brick

IIRC the illegality is because she was a member of Congress when a payraise was authorized for the Sec of State job.

But as far as Hillary getting the job goes consider this: She serves at Barack's pleasure, so suppose after a year or two on the job he decides she's not cutting it and fires her. She can't go back to the Senate without being elected (again) and she's two years away from running for President again and this time she has no government position to pay the bills with, she's just a private citizen. Talk about payback!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saxbe_fix - Nixon ran into the same issue. They brought us the Saxbe fix - she'll just take the job at the old pay rate.

[Swarner793]

Another issue mentioned is that Bill Clinton has taken a load of money/donations from undisclosed individuals. Now, they either have to agree to be disclosed or it is an impediment to Hillary's appointment. That would be rather unfair to the donors.

Be safe (and proud of your donations).

Scott