Obama team vetting Bill Clinton, sources say

@spalladino (17891)
United States
November 17, 2008 4:11pm CST
It looks like Hillary Clinton is a serious contendor for Secretary of State. The Clintons have filed financial disclosures every year since Bill left office so I don't think there will be a problem. Any thoughts? CHICAGO (CNN) – Two Obama transition officials confirm they have begun taking a look at former President Bill Clinton’s finances and post-presidential dealings as part of the early vetting process into whether or not there’s any negative information to wave President-elect Barack Obama off from consideration of Sen. Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State. The officials said the transition team is seeking unspecified records from the former president to get a better handle on issues related to his foundation work and presidential library to try and deal with potential conflicts of interest if Sen. Clinton is nominated for the post. While the officials refused to say how quickly the information is being turned over, they are refuting a Politico report suggesting transition officials are exasperated by slow cooperation from the Clintons. “That is just not true,” said one of the Obama transition officials.
2 people like this
8 responses
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
17 Nov 08
I wonder if Obama will make Hillary or Bill fill out one of those questionaires we've been hearing about. lol
2 people like this
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
18 Nov 08
Well, Hillary IS the applicant. I hope she has enough #2 pencils.
1 person likes this
@jonesy123 (3948)
• United States
17 Nov 08
The problem is that Bill Clinton's foundation does a lot of charity work in Africa to fight AIDS, malaria, and such. He not only seeks funds for his foundation here in the states but also in other countries, even in those where he distributes the aid. He even asks the affected country's government to contribute in some form or fashion to help the charity do good in that country. If Bill goes and asks a government to give money or other aid, and here comes Hillary and wants to negotiate some other deal for the US, what does that look like? What conditions would be made? How would that impact her work? Through the financial disclosure of the charity foundation they would be able to see how much involvement there really is from Bill in collecting money in foreign countries either from influential people or even the governments. If the involvement and contributions are significant, she can forget about the job. That's all there is to it.
1 person likes this
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
18 Nov 08
I've heard a little bit more about it since I got home and that's what they've been focusing on in the news...Bill's direct involvement. I guess we'll just have to wait and see. I hate waiting.....
1 person likes this
@cvrmom (181)
• United States
17 Nov 08
I doubt that all of Bill Clinton's information will ever come out. He has been in countries that we have on our no-no list. It could be a confilt of interest for Hillary to have Bill all over the globe getting money for speeches. Especially if he is in a no-no country.
@cvrmom (181)
• United States
17 Nov 08
I only sort of heard it on the news this morning, but the countries were in Africa. I know that some of the middle east countries were kind of borderline. He earned money from speeches that was in the news during Hillary's campaign that was supposed to be from a country and was a problem to her for a while in the news.
@ZephyrSun (7381)
• United States
18 Nov 08
I think both of them serving in the Obama Administration would be a great idea. Everyone keeps complaining of the selection of all the Clinton people in Obama's team but most of them have been through these rough economic times already. They have worked to balance the budget and turn our huge debt into a surplus. A business surely doesn't hire a secretary to run the accounting department, why should the government be any different? lol
@ZephyrSun (7381)
• United States
28 Dec 08
Thanks for the best response.
• United States
18 Nov 08
Well I can see where there might be some conflicts. Bill Clinton has had business dealing with a lot countries for his charity. So it might be conflict if we are taking a hard line against any of those countries, but Bil is cozy with them because they give money to his charity. Those countries may exspect "favors" because they are contributers to his charity or want "special consideration" due to their friendship with the Clintons. I do not see it as something that will stop her from getting the post. SHe just has to let it be known that she is representing the country, not the charity, and that no special consideration will be given.
1 person likes this
• Philippines
21 Nov 08
I actually dont know what to say. I am just commenting coz you post on mine. I am sorry. I dont know about politics.And it just not one of my interest. But I'm hoping you would enjoy. Thanks for posting on the disscussion I've made.
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
18 Nov 08
I don't think there will be any problem either but I'm sure there will be plenty of people hoping there is! The confirmation hearings are sure to be interesting to say the least. Annie
@dozhou (326)
• United States
19 Nov 08
Good news. The Clinton family knows how to deal with economy. Their works may help us out of the financial crisis. Good luck Hillary Clinton, good luck America.