What About Bill?

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It appears that there will be nine conditions placed on Bill Clinton as part of the deal for Hillary to be Secretary of State. To wit:

The release of the names of 208,000 donors who have given to his library and his Global Initiative. These names will likely include: The Saudi royal family, the King of Morocco, a foundation linked to the United Arab Emirates, the governments of Kuwait and Qatar, and a tycoon who is the son-in-law of the former authoritarian president of Ukraine. In addition:

"Trustees" who have donated at least $1m to the foundation include the Saudi royal family, the governments of Dubai, Kuwait, Qatar, Brunei and Taiwan, Saudi businessmen, the Deputy Prime Minister of Lebanon, Issam Fares, the film director Steven Spielberg and the heir to the Wal-Mart retail empire Alice Walton.

*Sir Tom Hunter, the Scottish businessman, donates $10m a year for economic development in Africa.

* "Humanitarians" who have given between $100,000 and $500,000 include the King of Morocco, Mohammed VI, and religious groups.

The list has been turned over to the Obama-Biden Transition Team, and will be made public by the end of December. Note: before Hillary Clinton's confirmation hearing.

Speaking engagements and business activities will need to be vetted by the Obama administration, specifically by the ethics department of the State Department, and possibly by the White House counsel's office.

Remember, the last time he was asked about his wife as SoS, he was in Kuwait, earning a rumoured half a million for the speech.

The Clinton Questions

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If Hillary becomes Secretary of State, what happens to her campaign debt? She still owes about $7.6 million, and there is that little thing called the Hatch Act. That piece of legislation precludes her from soliciting any monies to pay off the campaign debt. If her campaign committee stays active, IT can raise funds, but history doesn't indicate that scenario would result in much success.

Then again, don't feel too bad: over $5 million of that debt is owed to Mark Penn.

The related question is: would this appointment really be a good idea? The thing that gets me is that for two years, the Obama machine was a lock-box where leaks were concerned. The Clinton campaign, however, was like a colander with really big holes. So, my guess is that we know from where the leaks, and the drama, is emanating. Leaks, especially where delicate intra-country negotiations are concerned, are very, very bad. **IF** the Clinton machine is trying to manipulate the Obama administration into giving State to Hillary, what does that say about her ability to tow the Obama line if ensconsed in office?

Floor is open.

The Case for Bill Richardson at Secretary of State

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As the Democrats look to build an administration composed of the best and brightest that the Party has to offer, the Obama Biden Transition Project should be considering New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson for Secretary of State.

The former presidential candidate has more high-profile international relations experience than most. He can be an imposing figure both literally and figuratively; he stands at 6' 4" and is respected in both parties and around the world. And as one of the most prominent Latinos in the country would add diversity to the upper echelon of the cabinet.

Governor Richardson's endorsement of Barack Obama came at an integral time in the primary contest: right after the Rev. Wright news broke and just before the Pennsylvania primary. It came at a time when Obama needed the boost, when support from a former primary rival and a leading member of the Hispanic community helped to deflect the Wright controversy.

Though it's feasible that Vice President-Elect Joe Biden, with his extensive experience in foreign policy, will have some influence as to who is selected for the position at State. The most prominent name mentioned recently has been 2004 Democratic Presidential Nominee John Kerry, whom Biden probably has a better relationship with. Kerry certainly has the experience to do the job.

Yet as former United Nations Ambassador, Richardson isn't just someone who has experience in foreign affairs - he has a reputation that makes him a requested commodity among leaders of other countries. He has negotiated cease fires and the release of hostages in troubled regions around the world. In 2007, he worked with the Bush administration to work with North Korea in order to receive the remains of soldiers from the Korean War.

In full disclosure: I worked on Gov. Richardson's campaign for president this year. Though that doesn't change the fact that the man is uniquely qualified to lead the nation in foreign affairs and provide significant gravitas to the United States as we seek to repair our relationships in the world.