Hillary Clinton Secretary of State

Barack Obama officially nominated Hillary Clinton to the position of secretary of state on Monday, December 1, 2008, during a press conference.¹ He said she is an "American of tremendous stature who will have my complete confidence."²

Clinton was reportedly first offered the post in the Obama administration at a November 13, 2008, meeting.^{3 4}

Fast Facts

1. Obama announced that Clinton was his choice for secretary of state at a press conference on December 1, 2008
2. Clinton ran against Obama for the Democratic presidential nomination during the 2008 elections
3. An anonymous source within the Democratic Party said Clinton met with Obama on November 13, 2008, in Chicago to discuss the post⁵
4. Clinton's motorcade was seen leaving Obama's Chicago office on November 13, 2008⁵

Emoluments Clause

A Constitutional clause titled the "Emoluments Clause" prohibits members of Congress from taking a civil position when that position's salary had been increased while the congressperson was in office. Since the salary for the secretary of state position had been increased for Condoleezza Rice while Clinton served on the Senate, the Emoluments Clause could have kept Clinton from the position if the salary had not been altered. On December 11, 2008, Congress lowered the position's salary by about $4,700, which would allow Clinton to take the job.⁶

Quotes

"Hillary's appointment is a sign to friend and foe of the seriousness of my commitment to renew American diplomacy and restore our alliances. I have no doubt that Hillary Clinton is the right person to lead our State Department and to work with me in tackling this ambitious foreign policy agenda."—Barack Obama²

"I think so. What would you rather do, be senator or secretary of state?"—former Bill Clinton administration official on whether Hillary Clinton would take the position were it offered⁷

"Hillary would make a fine secretary of state—a very important and powerful job. Moreover, making a clear commitment to choose her for this position would add much to Obama's appeal, given that his experience in foreign policy is particularly short."—Amitai Etzioni, Huffington Post⁸

"To appoint a very strong personality with an independent constituency into a Cabinet position requires a lot of courage."—Henry Kissinger, former secretary of state to Presidents Gerald Ford and Richard Nixon⁹

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