Clinton's Chances: Associates Say "The Job Is Hers If She Wants It"

CHICAGO — Former President Bill Clinton has agreed to publicly disclose the names of most donors to his presidential foundation and library, a significant concession aimed at helping smooth the path for his wife to become the next secretary of state.

Hillary Rodham Clinton, meanwhile, was expected to decide soon whether to take the job, which associates said she believes is hers if she wants it. Transition officials for President-elect Barack Obama said the former first lady had not formally been offered the job and other candidates have been vetted. But several Clinton associates said Obama has told her she is his top pick.

Bill Clinton's decision to open up his donor list for scrutiny was the former president's latest effort to lift concerns about any potential conflicts of interest for his wife.

Officials with knowledge of the vetting said the former president would agree to make public the names of all donors who had given at least $250 to the foundation. He has long insisted on keeping the names private, a decision that created controversy for his wife during her run for the Democratic nomination.

Advisers said they were still trying to figure out what to do about donors who had contributed to the foundation on the condition they would remain anonymous. Breaking that agreement with donors could hurt the foundation's fundraising.

Bill Clinton has also agreed to several other concessions, such as submitting his speeches and public speaking schedule for the State Department to review during the time his wife serves and alerting officials there about any new sources of income. He also has indicated he would step away from day-to-day management of his foundation, where he has raised millions from foreign governments and companies to help fight poverty and AIDS in the developing world.

Bill Clinton briefly addressed questions about the vetting process in New York on Wednesday.

"I'll do whatever they want," the former president said at a ceremony renaming the Triborough Bridge for the late Sen. Robert F. Kennedy.

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Bill Clinton's post-presidential ventures around the globe were heavily scrutinized this week during two days of intense negotiations in Washington between transition officials and a team of lawyers representing the former first couple.

Transition head John Podesta led the talks, along with Obama adviser Todd Stern and Tom Perrelli, a classmate of the president-elect from Harvard Law School. The Clintons were represented by longtime advisers Cheryl Mills, Doug Band and Bruce Lindsey.

The face-to-face meetings ended Tuesday, but aides to the president-elect said some final vetting is still under way.

Nonetheless, several Clinton friends said that she continues to be conflicted about the prospect of giving up her Senate seat from New York and that questions about her husband's business ventures would not be the deciding factor. She has been eager to work on expanding health care, a goal potentially made more attainable by the prospect of a new Democratic administration and several new Democrats joining the Senate.

"The issue for her is simply whether she wants to do it," said an associate not authorized to speak publicly for Clinton. "She's 61 years old, and it's been a very hard fought few years. Would it be good for the Senate, the country, the world for her to take it? Those are the things she's considering."

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Associated Press writer Nedra Pickler in Washington contributed to this report.

Comments

[harriscrl3]

Well she better hurry up because I heard that they are saying now that Richardson is a strong contender for this job that the Media is blowing the HIlary part ouf ot proportion and no offer was ever made.

Carol

[grumpygranny66]

I was wondering about that, I have not heard anything from the Obama camp saying an offer was made to her for the position.

[hopefulinpa]

What's this?? Bill is willing to reveal most donors. MOST???? Give me a break. Why bother to ask for the names for transparency sake if you aren't going to get the ones that are questionable??? Games again with the Clintons. Please, please pick Richardson for SOS. I do not think the Clintons are the powerhouse they once were. Hillary is only a junior senetor and now Barack is head of the party and well respected and liked. Just say no to Hillary.

[campgranata]

yes, most and we're supposed to be delighted to get even those. The Clintons are
what is wrong with Washington (government): cut them loose.

[Shannon2008]

NYP questioned on "Page Six" whether Bill would want to go to the Senate. That's a small power play. A bigger power play would send Chelsee to the Senate and Bill to the Supreme Court.

[Shannon2008]

NYP questioned on "Page Six" whether Bill would want to go to the Senate. That's a small power play. A bigger power play would send Chelsea to the Senate and Bill to the Supreme Court.

[Ronversation]

Please, not Hillary!!
Gov. Bill Richardson is the obvious pick for Sec. of State. He has the experience in international diplomacy, executive leadership, and the kind of personality that will get us off the hate list in most countries of the world. He has spoken highly of Mr. Obama during the campaign and I think he'll be aligned with the ideals of the Obama presidency. Not a "yes-man" —but Gov. Richardson seems to know how to work with people. (And, we can keep all the Dem. senators in their current roles)

[tiredofwaiting]

she's a smart woman and i support her choices. i believe she'd be fabulous at SOS but eqully fab in the senate as majority leader. i just wish the clinton haters would get over it already! just look at obama's admin for heavn's sake! it's clinton term 3!