Star Spangled Staggers

US politics from outside the beltway

Clinton to stand down in 2012

The Secretary of State's decision to leave front-line politics poses a challenge for her boss.

By James Maxwell Published 13 October 2011 13:37

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has confirmed she will not serve in Barack Obama's administration if he is re-elected as President next year. In an interview with ABC News on Tuesday she said she would remain in her post after the November election for a short time in order to ensure a "seamless transition" to her successor. She added that she was "confident" Obama would win a second term.

The news will not be welcomed by Obama's campaign team. Clinton commands a huge amount of support among Democratic voters and could have been the perfect running mate for the beleaguered incumbent in his efforts to unify the party's disgruntled activist base. Further, her traditional status as the Republicans favourite liberal hate-figure - a huge factor in her failure to win the Democratic nomination in 2008 - has all but vanished over the last four years as a result of what is widely perceived as a competent and effective performance at the State Department.

Obama will have to think seriously about whether or not he wants Joe Biden, his gaffe-prone Vice President, to join him on the 2012 Democratic ticket. One possible alternative is the highly rated Kathleen Sebelius, the former Governor of Kansas and current Secretary of Health and Human Services.

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Tags: Hilary Clinton

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6 comments

Thu, 2011-10-13 15:21 — swatantra

She certainly looks way over the hill and very jaded. Her SoS has not been a huge success.
But why is Gates(a Republican) still at Defence? And Biden definitely has to go.
Now I come to think of it, I can't remember the name of a single Cabinet Member or personality in the Democratic Party. All I can recall are Kerry and Gen. Wesley and Nancy Pelosi and Jesse Jackson. So maybe there will be something for them.

Thu, 2011-10-13 16:13 — Laura (not verified)

She should be at the top of the ticket and Obama has to step down, he's a failure.She's the only one ready to lead this country.HILLARY 2012!

Thu, 2011-10-13 17:37 — Tom (not verified)

The Democrats have Obama set up perfectly. No opposition. Working on one billion in campaign funds. No debates to worry about. It's the perfect ad campaign.

Now, you seriously believe that Hillary will leave the State Dept. and muck all that up for them? And then just piss off the entire party? If she does, that's beyond arrogance to believe that she'd actually have any chance at all of getting the nomination. Yes, it would make the MSM's day and they could fill endless hours on-air and space online endlessly "analyzing" every single daily detail.

What would she base her campaign on? What has she accomplished as Sec. of State (other than being a frontperson for Obama)? Nothing. Therefore, a campaign won't happen.