The two were fierce rivals for the Democratic presidential nomination US President-elect Barack Obama is "on track" to nominate Hillary Clinton as secretary of state within a week, according to US media reports. A Democratic Party official was quoted as saying the move would be made public after next week's Thanksgiving holiday. The two sides have worked out financial disclosure issues regarding her husband Bill Clinton's charitable activities, the party official reportedly said. The former president has offered to allow ethics reviews of his charities. Mr Clinton has an international charitable foundation with operations in dozens of countries. This latest move is seen as an attempt to address questions about whether his philanthropic activities would create conflicts of interest if his wife got the job. KEY APPOINTMENTS Chief of staff: Rahm Emanuel, a deputy chief of staff to Bill Clinton Senior advisers: David Axelrod, Valerie Jarrett, Peter Rouse and John Podesta (formerly chief of staff to Bill Clinton) Press secretary: Robert Gibbs White House counsel: Greg Craig, formerly special counsel to Bill Clinton Vice-president's chief of staff: Ron Klain, formerly chief of staff to Al Gore Staff secretary: Lisa Brown, formerly counsel to Al Gore

Obama's team so far There has been mounting speculation that Mr Obama would offer the New York senator the role of America's top diplomat since a meeting between the two a week ago was reported. Neither Mrs Clinton nor Mr Obama has confirmed the reports. But an aide to Mr Obama's transition team said the two had had substantive conversations about the job, the Associated Press news agency reports. Mrs Clinton would have to give up her Senate seat, which she has held for eight years, to take up the position. Recognition Mrs Clinton and Mr Obama fought a long and often bitter campaign to be the Democratic Party's presidential candidate. TOP CABINET CONTENDERS Secretary of state: Hillary Clinton Health secretary: Tom Daschle Attorney general: Eric Holder, deputy attorney general under Bill Clinton Homeland security: Janet Napolitano National security adviser: General James Jones

Clinton at State Department? But after losing out on the nomination, she endorsed his bid for the presidency and campaigned for his election. The BBC's Kim Ghattas in Washington says the appointment of Hillary Clinton would likely heal the rift inside the Democratic party caused by the bruising primary campaign. Mr Obama would also come across as a confident leader, not afraid to reach out to rivals and surround himself with strong personalities, our correspondent says. The economic crisis will be a priority for Mr Obama at the start of his presidency. But with the US involved in two wars, in Iraq and Afghanistan, the former first lady would be able to hit the ground running on foreign policy, our correspondent says. She would have instant international stature and recognition as secretary of state, and world leaders would welcome her, Kim Ghattas says. However, with a vice-president as well-steeped in foreign policy as Joseph Biden, careful consideration needs to go into how the two will work together, our correspondent adds. If a deal fails, other names touted for the post in the US media include Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts, who ran for president in 2004, and New Mexico's governor Bill Richardson.



Bookmark with: Delicious

Digg

reddit

Facebook

StumbleUpon What are these? E-mail this to a friend Printable version