Nov 22, 2008 8:29 am US/Central
Economic Advisers To Be Announced Monday
Hillary Clinton Likely To Become Secretary Of State
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
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New York Federal Reserve President Timothy Geithner, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson and New York Sen. Hillary Clinton. (File)
CBS
President-elect Barack Obama is expected to announce his economic team on Monday, but those aren't the only positions Americans are eager to see filled. CBS 2's Dana Kozlov reports many are speculating that Hillary Clinton will be Obama's top diplomat.
It was a break from business of state for Obama as he stopped at Manny's Deli Friday - one of his favorite Chicago restaurants - for lunch.
Obama has been especially busy this past week putting his White House advising team together and meeting with potential cabinet members. Sources tell CBS 2 that Obama is ready to offer Senator Hillary Clinton the secretary of state position and the New York Times reports she's ready to take it.
Senator Clinton's lifelong friend Betsy Ebeling says it's all been news to her. But she believes a secretary of state Clinton would help heal the wounds of her supporters and friends who were bitterly disappointed she wasn't the presidential candidate.
"It would be nice to be able to cheer," Ebeling said. "It would be very much so."
Clinton's acceptance would indicate she's had a change of heart. On Election Day, she told a reporter she wouldn't take an administration job.
"I want to roll up my sleeves and be a good partner in the Senate" Clinton said.
But her campaign co-chair Kevin Conlon says a lot has changed since then.
"I think that was sincere. It's hard to say no when a president says, 'I need you,'" Conlon said.
But Clinton isn't the only cabinet nomination in the works. Sources tell CBS that Bill Richardson is now a serious commerce secretary contender. And the stock market climbed on word New York Federal Reserve President Timothy Geithner has been tapped to be the new treasury secretary.
Senator Clinton's spokesperson said Friday that they are quote "in discussions, which are very much on track. Any reports beyond that are premature."
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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