Nov 19 2008

Senator Clinton has a very tough personal decision to make over the next week.

Clearly, the Senator has been offered the Secretary of State position in President-elect Obama's Clinton administration. In a move straight out of Doris Kearns Goodwin's Team of Rivals, Obama is creating an amazing group of the best and the brightest. No one can doubt that Senator Clinton is qualified for this prestigious appointment. The world would be thrilled with her acceptance of the job. At the present moment, the Clinton-brand internationally is actually stronger than it is domestically. The trailblazing Senator is a logical choice and her selection would be hailed by most experts, in the field of foreign policy, as a perfect fit.

However, Senator Clinton must make a major life decision on the direction of her political career. At the end of Obama's eight years in office, she will be in her upper sixties and even more of an "establishment" figure than she was in the current election. Another presidential bid will be even more of an uphill battle.

Remaining in her Senatorial capacity until 2012, Clinton may follow the extraordinary path of leadership and principles exemplified by Senator Edward Kennedy's service. Senator Clinton might even become the first female Majority Leader of the United States Senate. In that role, she would maintain her independence and a major force in creating policy for America. But she would also have to pay attention to the business of the Senate on a daily basis. Over time, she may find that far from an exciting existence given her visible national role over the last sixteen years.

Finally, there is the money. Quite frankly since leaving the Presidency, Bill Clinton has been making huge sums of money in his ex-President capacity. Making up to $1Million per speech or traveling with large donors to his library assisting with international business deals would have to come to a screeching halt. Former President Clinton would have to reign in his corporate bookings, library work and philanthropy to avoid all appearance of conflict. Sadly, this may also curtail some of his amazing work with HIV/AIDS in Africa. This is no small matter for a family that has struggled financially all their lives until President Clinton left office. Taking the position of Secretary of State could cost the couple millions and millions of dollars over the next several years. No one would blame them if they didn't want to make such a financial sacrifice.

Taking the position of Secretary of State would add another bright mark in Senator Clinton's already shining career. She has glowingly served as First Lady for eight years, another eight years in the United States Senate and undoubtedly could be established in the role for another eight or in the new administration. (I am sure those into Numerology could have a field day with these numbers!) Few in American public life could claim such a distinguished path of service to one's nation. Senator Clinton faces a very tough choice.