Obama 'mulls Clinton for top job'

US President-elect Barack Obama has met former rival Hillary Clinton to discuss offering her a top job in his administration, US media reports say.

Speculation in the US is rife, with some reports suggesting Mrs Clinton could become his secretary of state.

She has refused to comment, and Mr Obama's transition team have not confirmed any of the reports.

Mr Obama is also said to be considering New Mexico governor Bill Richardson for the role of secretary of state.

As a former permanent representative to the UN under President Bill Clinton, Mr Richardson has extensive foreign policy experience.

Democratic Party officials told the Associated Press that the two men had met in Chicago on Friday to discuss the new administration.

Aides also said Mr Obama would meet his Republican rival, John McCain, on Monday to discuss working together.

Meanwhile, in an excerpt from Mr Obama's first television interview since the election, he jokes with his wife Michelle about the night he won.

As they watched the news of his victory, Mr Obama remembers: "And then she said, 'Are you going to take the girls to school in the morning?'"

The full interview will be broadcast on Sunday.

Rumours

Mrs Clinton and Mr Obama fought a long and often bitter campaign to be the Democratic Party's presidential candidate
But after losing out on the nomination, she endorsed his bid for the presidency and campaigned for his election.

Reports suggested she met Mr Obama in Chicago on Thursday.

Speaking in Albany, New York, on Friday, the former First Lady refused to comment on the rumours that she could take up a senior position when Mr Obama becomes president on 20 January.

"I'm not going to speculate or address anything about the president-elect's incoming administration," she said. "And I'm going to respect his process and any inquiries should be directed to his transition team."

Some Democrats have welcomed the possibility.

New Jersey Democratic Governor Jon Corzine told MSNBC: "She probably knows every major foreign leader. There's already a relationship where she can sit and talk directly about the problems that exist either on a bilateral or multilateral basis."

Working together

The meeting between Mr Obama and Mr McCain will be held at Mr Obama's transition headquarters in Chicago, said his spokeswoman Stephanie Cutter.

Congressman Rahm Emanuel, Mr Obama's chief-of-staff, and Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who is close to Mr McCain, would also be present, she said.

Ms Cutter said the former rivals' discussions would focus on bipartisanship.

"It's well known that they share an important belief that Americans want and deserve a more effective and efficient government, and will discuss ways to work together to make that a reality," she said.
 

Source:BBC