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Bill reveals files to move Hillary closer to top job
Paul Thompson in Miami20 Nov 2008
HILLARY Clinton took a step closer to being appointed US Secretary of State after her husband agreed to reveal the identities of his major cash donors.
Former president Bill Clinton had been holding back on releasing the names to Barack Obama's vetting team as they considered her for the top job.
There have been fears that some of Mr Clinton's wealthy donors could cause a conflict of interest if the president-elect appointed Hillary as his international troubleshooter but last night he agreed to present the books for scrutiny. Washington sources said Hillary had agreed to accept the position.
He also offered to step down from his day-to-day responsibilities at his foundation, inform the State Department of his public speaking timetable and reveal any new sources of income.
Mr Clinton said he would do anything asked of him for the vetting process. "Whatever they want, this is a deal between president-elect and Hillary and you should talk to them, but I'll do whatever they want," he said. "We're both committed, completely committed to his success so that's for them to work out. Whatever they do, I'll support."
A possible barrier to Mrs Clinton taking the job is that it would mean stepping down as a senator, which would mean she could not run for the presidency in 2012.
Since his presidency ended eight years ago Mr Clinton has been running his charitable foundation based in Harlem. It has raised more than £35million for health projects, in particular the fight against Aids.
Much of the income has come from overseas, which was what has been troubling the Obama transition team. Donations are reported to have come from Saudi Arabia, Morocco, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait. Mrs Clinton, if she becomes secretary of state, could be compromised by any negotiations with those countries.
Mr Clinton has insisted that all donors to his foundation are vetted. He said: "With foreign donors, but also with domestic ones, if there's any question, we do exhaustive vetting."
It emerged today that George Bush was working at top speed to dismantle at least 10 major environmental safeguards protecting America's wildlife, national parks and rivers before he steps down in January. There are just 60 days to go until Mr Bush leaves office, but the White House is working to weaken or overturn regulations against logging or mining and which force factory owners to clean up waste.
The Bush administration has until tomorrow to publish new laws for them to take effect before Mr Obama is sworn in. Otherwise, he can undo them with the stroke of a pen. Democratic leaders are looking at ways to overturn any last-minute rule changes.
CNN reported today that billionaire Chicago businesswoman Penny Pritzker was Mr Obama's choice for commerce secretary. Ms Pritzker, whose family founded the Hyatt hotel chain and who is one of America's wealthiest people, was national finance chair of Mr Obama's presidential campaign.
A rule eliminating the mandatory, independent advice of government scientists in decisions about whether dams, highways and other projects are likely to harm species looked likely to meet the deadline, leaving the only chance for a quick reversal to Congress.
Drew Hammill, a spokesman for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the House will be looking at ways to overturn the final endangered species rules and other "one-minute-to-midnight" regulations.
Reader views (1)
"A possible barrier to Mrs Clinton taking the job is that it would mean stepping down as a senator, which would mean she could not run for the presidency in 2012." - Absolute rubbish! You don't have to be a senator to run for the president. I can't believe Paul Thompson is that ignorant.
- Michael, London, UK, 20/11/2008 23:18
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