Clinton 'heading for secretary of state'
Saturday, 22 Nov 2008 11:48
Barack Obama looks set to appoint Hillary Clinton as secretary of state (Image licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License)
Senior aides to the US president-elect Barack Obama have given their strongest indication yet that former first lady Hillary Clinton looks set to become secretary of state.
Mrs Clinton fought Mr Obama throughout the spring for the Democrat party's nomination before backing him vigorously throughout his victorious presidential campaign.
Now she looks set to be rewarded with a senior position in Mr Obama's new administration, according to US media reports. An announcement may be made after the Thanksgiving break next week.
It is not yet clear if she will accept, however.
CNN reports the Obama team are considering giving her a leading role in the Senate if she decides to turn down the secretary of state role.
Clinton spokesperson Philippe Reines was quoted by CNN as saying: "Senator Clinton has told... Senator Kennedy, as well as [Senate] leader [Harry] Reid, that she stands ready to help President-elect Obama in any and every way she can to enact comprehensive health care reform, which she has sought for nearly two decades."
Other contenders for high-profile jobs within Mr Obama's Cabinet include former Senate majority leader Tom Daschle for health, Republican Robert Gates at defence and Arizona governor Janet Napolitano at homeland security.
Mr Obama will be inaugurated as the United States' 44th president on January 20th next year.