Clinton's State Department team takes shape

Hillary Clinton's State Department team takes shape with familiar figures, seasoned diplomats

By LIZ SIDOTI Associated Press Writer | AP

Jan 8, 2009

See All

Email To A Friend

Please fill in the following information and we'll email this link.

(CHICAGO) Hillary Rodham Clinton is quietly building a new State Department team with seasoned diplomats as she prepares for her confirmation hearings next week, according to Democratic sources and officials familiar with the transition.

Clinton has settled on choices for a number of top positions, including high-profile special envoys who played prominent roles in her husband's administration for key hotspots South Asia and the Middle East, and pointmen for East Asia and Europe, they said. She will also keep at least two career foreign service officers in critical posts, they said.

The incoming secretary of state plans to name former U.N. ambassador Richard Holbrooke to be special adviser for Pakistan and Afghanistan and is almost certain to appoint former Middle East negotiator Dennis Ross to be her special adviser for the Middle East and Iran, they said.

Clinton will retain respected career diplomat William Burns in his current position as Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, the department's third-highest ranking job, and keep on Under Secretary of State for Management Patrick Kennedy, who oversees the department's far-flung worldwide operations, the sources said.

In addition, they said, Clinton will select Kurt Campbell, a former Clinton administration Pentagon official, to be assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs, and Philip Gordon, a former director for European affairs at the National Security Council, to be assistant secretary of state for European affairs.

She also intends to name Princeton University professor Anne-Marie Slaughter to be the State Department's next director of policy planning, they said.

Posted By: Lee Holmes @ 12/05/2008 11:51:12 AM

I find it curious that those who have made arguments regarding the ''trampling''of the Constitution are willing to see it violated again,this time,with the very presence of Clinton as Sec of State.
On last nights COUNTDOWN with Keith Olbermann [making damned sure we are using partisan leftwinged and liberal sources here], George Washington law professor and fierce Bush critic John Turley who followed up NEWSWEAKS Howard Fineman,stated that he was clearly ''uncomfortable'',with a prima facie violation of the Constitutions Art. 1 clauses enumerated in Section VI,that prohibit Clinton from taking this slot in the Obama administration. Known as the ''Emoluments Clause'',this states that a person who voted to give him or her self a raise ,lifting the wage boats of other government positions,may not move into that or other positions affected by the raise. It is a conflict of interest mechanism installed by this nations Founders. Clinton,while a senator,voted for such a increase affecting not only her,but the office of the Secretary of State as well.

Also see:

The Constitution of the United States Art.1. Sec. VI,Clause II.

Member Comments

Posted By: tmitch10 @ 12/05/2008 12:07:48 PM

so reset the pay to its prevous level. Its been done many times. But you knew that, didn't ya Lee?
Posted By: Lee Holmes @ 12/05/2008 11:51:12 AM

I find it curious that those who have made arguments regarding the ''trampling''of the Constitution are willing to see it violated again,this time,with the very presence of Clinton as Sec of State.
On last nights COUNTDOWN with Keith Olbermann [making damned sure we are using partisan leftwinged and liberal sources here], George Washington law professor and fierce Bush critic John Turley who followed up NEWSWEAKS Howard Fineman,stated that he was clearly ''uncomfortable'',with a prima facie violation of the Constitutions Art. 1 clauses enumerated in Section VI,that prohibit Clinton from taking this slot in the Obama administration. Known as the ''Emoluments Clause'',this states that a person who voted to give him or her self a raise ,lifting the wage boats of other government positions,may not move into that or other positions affected by the raise. It is a conflict of interest mechanism installed by this nations Founders. Clinton,while a senator,voted for such a increase affecting not only her,but the office of the Secretary of State as well.

Also see:

The Constitution of the United States Art.1. Sec. VI,Clause II.
Posted By: not-fooled-by-slick-talking-charlatans @ 11/14/2008 1:58:59 PM

Ignore tired and old. In fact, as a general rule, it is best to ignore anyone who will not express an opinion without SHOUTING. The LOUDER they type, the less they have to say (of informative value).