So, Hil isn't a lock? Maybe no one from Congress.


Hillary Clinton, Secretary of State?


The Washington Post reports that, beyond the vetting, there may be another roadblock to Hillary Clinton's Cabinet seat: a clause in the Constitution.

It's called the Constitution of the United States, specifically, Article One, Section Six, also known as the emoluments clause. ("Emoluments" means things like salaries.) It says that no member of Congress, during the term for which he was elected, shall be named to any office "the emoluments whereof shall have been increased during his term." This applies, we're advised, whether the member actually voted on the raises or not.

In Clinton's case, during her current term in the Senate, which began in January 2007, cabinet salaries were increased from $186,600 to $191,300. This situation has arisen before, most famously in the case called "The Saxbe Fix," but it involves a controversial, somewhat tortured reading of the Sacred Document.

BIll Clinton has said he will do "whatever they want" as part of the vetting process.

Clinton insiders say that, contrary to other reports, Bill's dealings are not the only roadblock to Hillary's Cabinet post. The Senator herself is undecided:

Reports that portray Clinton as willing to accept the job - once the Obama transition team vets the Clintons - are inaccurate, one Clinton insider told Politico.


Press reports that portray Clinton as willing to accept the job - once the Obama transition team vets Bill Clinton's philanthropic and business ventures - are inaccurate, one Clinton insider told Politico.

"A lot of the speculation and reporting is out ahead of the facts here," said the person, who requested anonymity. "She is still weighing this, independent of President Clinton's work."

Clinton, the person said, remains deeply "torn" between the possibility of serving in Obama's cabinet and remaining in the Senate to "help pass health care and work on a broad range of domestic issues."

That comment jibes with what others close to Clinton have been saying since the Secretary of State chatter began last week: that Clinton is conflicted and the deal far from done, despite screaming headlines in outlets including the U.K.'s Guardian newspaper claiming the offer was made and accepted.

Hillary Clinton, Secretary of State?

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Happiness is always a by-product. It is probably a matter of temperament, and for anything I know it may be glandular. But it is not something that can be demanded from life, and if you are not happy you had better stop worrying about it and see what treasures you can pluck from your own brand of unhappiness.
- Robertson Davies