Hillary's appointment a 'consolation prize'?

FILE PHOTO: MICHAEL A. HARRIS/THE EXAMINER

On the eve of New York junior Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton's appointment as Secretary of State, sources close to Democratic President-elect Barack Obama have told this reporter that Clinton's appointment was in part "a consolation prize," designed to help unite the Democratic Party after a bitter primary battle between the Clinton and Obama.

"Don't misunderstand me, Hillary is definitely qualified for the post," said an Obama aide, speaking on the condition of .  "But would she have been tapped for the position had it not been for her primary battle with [President-elect Obama]? Probably not."

A Democratic political consultant said Sunday night that while choosing Clinton as a running mate might not have been prudent from a political perspective, the cabinet appointment was "an appropriate role for Hillary."

"I think that in the campaign, having Joe Biden as Vice President and  the Clintons on the trail as an active outside surrogate was more prudent for Obama]," said the consultant.  "That had more electoral value, but now they have to give her something and that is why now that he's elected, you now see her gettng this cabinet post."

The consultant added, "At least the promise of consideration for a presidential appointment may well have been promised to Senator Clinton prior to her endorsement or at least the announcement of Biden as his running mate." 

A Clinton spokesperson could not immediately be reached for comment Sunday night.

President-elect Obama is expected to announce Clinton's appointment at a news conference in Chicago Monday morning.

Assuming that Clinton's nomination is confirmed by the Senate, Clinton would become only the third female Secretary of State.  Ironically, her husband, former President Bill Clinton appointed the first, Madeline K. Albright.