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Jockeying for State Dept. Job Under Way

HIspanic groups push Richardson, but Kerry may have inside track

By Gabriel Winant,  Newser User

Posted Nov 12, 2008 10:20 AM CST
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(Newser) – As Barack Obama deliberates his Cabinet choices, the chorus of "Pick me! Pick me!" begins in earnest, with many eyes on Condoleezza Rice's chair, reports the Wall Street Journal. Hispanic groups are pushing for their own Bill Richardson, a former presidential rival who ultimately endorsed Obama. But the UN ambassador under Bill Clinton faces stiff elbows from his predecessor in that job, Richard Holbrooke, and Sens. Richard Lugar and John Kerry.

Some reports give Kerry the inside track, because he endorsed Obama at a bad time for the then-insurgent candidate, supposedly in exchange for the State slot—or so the New Republic tells it. A spokesman for Lugar, who has worked with Obama and Joe Biden on the Foreign Relations committee, says the senator isn’t interested.

In this Aug. 30, 1999, photo, U.S. Ambassador to the UN Richard Holbrooke, right, shakes hands with Sen. Joe Biden after arriving at the KFOR Pristina headquarters in the Kosovo capital.
In this Aug. 30, 1999, photo, U.S. Ambassador to the UN Richard Holbrooke, right, shakes hands with Sen. Joe Biden after arriving at the KFOR Pristina headquarters in the Kosovo capital.   (AP Photo/Visar Kryeziu)
Sen. Barack Obama D-Ill., left, smiles as New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson waves, Friday, March 21, 2008,in Portland, Ore. where Richardson announced his endorsement of Obama.
Sen. Barack Obama D-Ill., left, smiles as New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson waves, Friday, March 21, 2008,in Portland, Ore. where Richardson announced his endorsement of Obama.   (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama greets Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., on stage at the Democratic National Convention Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2008 in Denver.
Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama greets Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., on stage at the Democratic National Convention Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2008 in Denver.   (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
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Obama's real foreign policy brain
New York Times

Politics • US

 
Barack Obama • Bill Richardson • John Kerry • State Department • secretary of State • Richard Lugar • Richard Holbrooke • President Obama

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