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First Read is an analysis of the day's political news, from the NBC News political unit. First Read is updated throughout the day, so check back often.

Chuck Todd, NBC Political Director

Mark Murray, NBC Deputy Political Director

Domenico Montanaro, NBC Political Researcher



HRC to State? Still 'on track'

Posted: Friday, November 21, 2008 4:10 PM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
And this just over the transom from the Clinton Senate office...

"We're still in discussions, which are very much on track," writes Clinton Senior Adviser Philippe Reines. "Any reports beyond that are premature."

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"very much on track"

careful the train doesn't hit ya
As Bob Woodward said: "Being president is about control, and tell me who ever controlled Bill or Hillary Clinton? They can't control each other. ... I think it's because Warren Buffett and Paul Volcker and others have convinced Obama, 'You're going to have to focus like a laser on the economy. That's issue Number One. And give Hillary and Bill the world.' ... I think people are fantasizing or smoking something if they think Joe Biden's going to call Hillary Clinton up and say, 'This is what we want you to do.'

If you don't have a bomb shelter, now might be the time to get one.
Obama is doing his thing in putting his cabinet together.  After his inauguration, he will be able to hit the ground running.
 
Hazel Garnett, Chicago,IL


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Obama will hit the ground. But I don't think he'll be doing much running.


HRC is becoming like the Lipsticker as far as news coverage, and what she is doing! STOP Already!!!!

Enough of the speculation on every breath that she takes in regards to the nomination.  Please move on to something else.  The only thing that matters is what President Elect Obama decides.
Andrea Mitchell probably did everyone a disservice with the first leak.  However, the SoS position demands discretion, a poker face, and a leakproof staff.  It seems to me that in any of these tests - particularly rushing to a TV podium after her Chicago visit last week HRC has demonstrated that she is the last candidate Obama should even remotely consider.
Nice to see some brave liberal attempt to list some Democratic moderates in the Senate. The names that person came up with? Hillary and Jim Webb. Just trying to fathom the depth of that statement. I don't think Webb or Hillary know Republicans even exist, let alone ever having worked with Republicans on anything. Hillary voted for the war, but so did Biden, but other then that, nothing.

Whoever you are, you proved the point. There is no room for moderates in the Democratic party, at least not in the Senate.
It's a done deal.
The Clinton Team is as leaky as a sieve... so when did they start worrying about anything being leaked prematurely?
I don't think anyone knows the true story yet, and we won't know until after Thanksgiving. The "soap opera" which, is this selection for Secretary of State, will continue. The Hillary factor in the State Department will be very interesting if she is selected, and if she accepts. Time to move forward American!
She's gonna be trouble is my bet.  I wish it were going to be Bill Richardson.  Hillie Clinton is very able but she's a walking talking soap opera.  I see another Al Haig moment in our future.
Well, we finally have our proof, like we needed anymore. Obama is nothing more then a front for bringing back the Clintons. Hillary may have lost in the primaries, but now she wins, and wins big. She has all the power with little of the responsibility, perfect conditions for her. And remember - SOS is 4th in line to be President. And with the Senate Pro Tem being the old and confused Bryd, she's really #3 in line.

And how exactly does Obama ever fire her?
ON TRACK ALL THE WAY ,CLINTON AND OBAMA WILL BE A GOOD TEAMM AS WELL AS TWO PEOPLE WE NEED REALLY BAD IN THESE CHALLENGING TIMES!!! SO REPUBLICANS SAY ALL THE NEGATIVE THINGS YOU DESIRE ,BUT REMEMBER THE GRAND OLD REPUBLICAN PARTY IS NOW ON ITS WAY OUT COME 1-20-09
only the best and brightest in this cabinet to turn his country around. it takes a strong president to surround himself with the intelligent and strong people mr. obama is surrounding himself with.

george bush surrounded himself with people who said yes. he got rid of anyone that didn't agree with him and dick cheney. look where this last eight years of a weak cabinet got us.

for those of you that keep looking for a reason to hate mr. obama, mr. biden, the dem's, independents and moderate republicans that got him elected i have one question for you.

how long must you go with the country going down hill and your life getting worse before you at least become willing to try a different approach?  
I guess this will be spun by the Obama butt sniffers as a "Keeping your Enemies Close" argument. But, what threat was Hillary or Bill to Obama? Hillary wasn't even part of the Democratic leadership in the Senate. No, Obama really messed up with this pick. Now we have an inexperienced President with an inexperienced SOS. This is not a good situation.
Some advisor to Hillary says "negotiations are continuing". Negotiations?!? What Negotiations?!? Either you want the job or you don't! What's to be negotiated? Benefits? Vacation pay? Obama tells the SoS what to do, and the SoS does it!
I see where the Weather Channel is laying people off. I guess we're going have less weather now.
It would be a grave mistake for such an idiot to assume Sec State position. The deplorable past her spouse has brought this nation, his actions are never to be forgiven and she was in the middle of it all, lies and corruption are the manner which they both live. This is not what America wants. Obama must be building a Circus??
A sip is not enough. You have to drink all of the kool-aide for this to make any sense!
I thought that change was comming??? 7 Ex Clintonites in the as potential cabinet members same story different tune. Can't the Democrates get it right more entitlements more spendings, more of the same
Looks like Obama's inauguration is going to break the Million Man March's record for the largest amount of welfare recipients assembled at one time.
...and perhaps if you guys would stop reporting on every fart that leaves the room they could get this thing over with.

In other news...

Well, well, well.  Obama announces his pick for Treasury Secretary and what happens?  THE DOW JUMPS 494 POINTS!  To all of you soothsayers whining about an "Obama Recession", RECESSION THIS <raising middle finger>!

60 Days Until Inauguration Day!
http://jawillie.blog.com
I did not vote for Obama to have him re-create the Clinton era. It worked then, now its time for a 21st Century cabinet and approach. Lincoln died a long time ago, the morals that were the hallmark of that era no longer applies. Its not an all white male, gentleman's club.

The Clinton's race card tactic should have been the end of their era; a reminder that in our collective past those fear tactics might have worked. Obama did not need her to win; and he does not need her bring more drama to Bush's already waiting theater of horrors.

BTW - the whole world knows that they do not agree on foreign policy approaches. HRC did claim that he was so naive that his ideas put us at risk. you know, the Republican quote this election cycle "He just doesn't understand." Obama's picking of HRC may prove her correct afterall.
Dont you think it is about time that Obama name a
cabinet member to head up getting rid of all these illegal immigrants. 12 million jobs would be reclaimed. McCain says we can't afford 12 million
handcuffs I say we can. Former Sheriff Pendergraph would be the man for the job

President-Elect Obama is doing a fine job in picking his cabinet and econ advisors. I believe he will make a fine President!
Please please say it ain't so. Hillary stay in the senate. For Obama's sake....and mine.
Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State will ruin her identity as a thinking senator with a powerful vote. Instead she opts to be Obama's puppet, traveling the world spewing Barack's policies and platforms instead of her own.

It's bad enough that the far left are cringing at the thought of Hillary in this sacred position because they have worked hard to get Obama in and the Clintons out. Looks like Obama needs the Clintons more than he needs the far left.
Hillary as Obama's Secretary of State still on track? It's time to derail this train to nowhere.
She would be a bigger idiot than he is to accept this offer. He will give to her and a few months later fire her. That way she won't have job. Her political career is over if she takes it. Obama just wants  to keep her from running against him ! then what after a few what does she do ? retire ? No senate no chance of being pres, after obama destroys the us, no dem will ever win re election ! What a dumb ass move on her part !


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