By Taylor Paraboschi
President-elect Barack Obama made it official on Monday: Hillary Clinton will be the next Secretary of State.
This announcement came after much speculation as to who Obama would ultimately pick as his Secretary of State, a list that included politicians such as Sen. John Kerry (Mass.) and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, who was named Secretary of Commerce-designate on Wednesday.
“I think she is an excellent choice. She has always kept herself abreast of the issues,” said Chap Lupinacci, adjunct assistant professor of political science. “She also ensures support for the Democratic Party by bringing in her supporters for Barack Obama.”
Lupinacci added that Clinton is a strong person for Obama to have on his team, citing her background knowledge and foreign contacts as keys to effectively executing the requirement of the position. “She is a strong person to have. She’s got foreign contacts and has met and negotiated with these people before.”
Richard Himelfarb, associate professor of political science, said that by choosing Clinton as his Secretary of State it shows Obama is more of a centrist than a liberal.
“Barack Obama basically has chosen a person to lead the State Department who was critical on his foreign policy during the campaign. It is an acknowledgment that he might not have meant what he said on foreign policy,” said Himelfarb.
Sophomore Jodie Abelson thinks Clinton’s work ethic is one of the reasons why she was picked for Secretary of State.
“This is the best placement for her,” said Sean Nabi, president of the college republicans. “She knows her stuff really well, and with our present situation we need someone who will be strong, not nice and naive.”
“I’m glad she isn’t president,” said sophomore Cara Aaron. “Obama seems to know what he is doing and now we are just waiting to see what happens [with Clinton].”
With Clinton’s nomination for the Secretary of State formally announced, people may be speculating as to how this will effect her chances of possibly running against Obama in 2012.
“The nomination will make it more difficult for her to run against Barack Obama in 2012,” Himelfarb said.
There are others who believe that it will give Clinton more of a political impact. “She has the ability to have a bigger impact as Secretary of State than she would as a Senator,” said Lupinacci. He added that while being Secretary of State will attribute greatly to her resume if she decides to run in 2012, it will also be a road block for her. “Being Secretary of State will make it more difficult for her to run against her boss.”
With Clinton set to take over the Secretary of State position, Gov. Paterson is left with the task of filling her seat in the Senate. “He needs to look for someone with good fund raising capabilities and the ability to be reelected in 2010,” said Lupinacci, adding that he should be looking for someone to gather support for him when he runs for reelection. “Taking into account gender and location might help him when he runs for a second term in 2012.”
Two big names that have been rumored to be on Paterson’s long list of nominees are former President Bill Clinton and New York State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo.
“Cuomo seems the most realistic,” said Nabi. “Paterson wants to take his biggest opposition for governor out of the running.” Nabi added that former President Clinton seemed like a good choice as well, because of the strides he made with welfare reform. “Former President Clinton did well with welfare reform and I would love to see it brought to New York.”
One local name that is also rumored to be on Gov. Paterson’s list of potential senators is Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi.
“Tom Suozzi is a reformer,” said Himelfarb. “He is very Obama-esque with his policies and political views. He works across the aisle.” Himelfarb added that nominating Suozzi would not only send a positive message to citizens but it would also show that the government is interested in change, not only for the U.S., but for the State of N.Y. as well.
However many benefits there may be to nominating Suozzi for the Senate, there are also obstacles that stand in the way of his nomination.
“I would find it remarkable if he got chosen,” said Eric Lane, professor of law. “While Tom Suozzi would be a very good senator, I don’t see the political benefit. His nomination could be considered too narrow of a choice.”
“Do I think he will choose Suozzi? No, I think he will choose Cuomo,” Himelfarb said. He added that if Suozzi was nominated we would have someone in the Senate who understands the people who live in the suburbs.
“People who live in the suburbs are the real swing voters in the elections and their concerns are paramount,” he said. “They care about the qualities of schools, transportation, road construction and they don’t want to have to pay high property taxes. With Suozzi in the Senate their voices will be heard.”
Tom Suozzi, Nassau County executive who has been talked about as a choice for Hillary Clinton’s replacement in the Senate, is pictured (left) with his wife and former New York City Mayor Ed Koch.