New York, Nov. 19 : Several longtime associates of the Clintons said former president Bill Clinton would be an asset to his wife Hillary Clinton if she were appointed the next secretary of state.

In such a scenario, the Obama administration “would be able to use Bill Clinton as the ultimate special envoy inside the tent,” one longtime associate said.

Over the weekend, Bill Clinton enthusiastically endorsed the prospect of Hillary becoming secretary of state in the Obama administration.

New York, Nov. 19 : Supporters of US President-elect Barack Obama don’t seem to be too happy over the prospect of a Cabinet post being offered to former US First Lady and now New York Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton.

According to Politico, there''s a sense of ambivalence about giving a top political plum to a woman they spent 18 months hammering as the compromised standard-bearer of an era that deserves to be forgotten.

New York, Nov. 19 : New York Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton reportedly isn’t certain she would accept the post of US Secretary of State even if Barack Obama offers it to her.

Politico quoted several people close to the former First Lady, as saying that “She is still weighing this, independent of President Clinton''s work.”

Clinton, one 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.”

Washington, Nov. 18: Former Democratic presidential contender and New York’s junior Senator Hillary Clinton is reportedly planning to accept the job of US Secretary of State offered by Presidential-elect Barack Obama, the Guardian has learned.

Obama's advisers have begun looking into Bill Clinton''s foundation, which distributes millions of dollars to Africa to help with development, to ensure there is no conflict of interest. But Democrats believe the vetting will be straightforward.

Washington, Nov. 17: A senior Republican leader has said naming Hillary Rodham Clinton as the next U. S. Secretary of State would be a good choice.

"It seems to me she''s got the experience. She''s got the temperament for it. I think she would be well received around the world," Fox News quoted Arizona Senator Jon Kyl, the U. S. Senate''s second-ranking Republican, as saying on Sunday.

"So my own initial reaction is it would be a very good selection," he added.

According to Times staff writers, President-elect Barack Obama met New York Senator Hillary Clinton in his office in downtown Chicago, to discuss what role she might play in his administration. It is rumored that Obama may ask Clinton - his rival for the Democratic presidential nomination - to be his secretary of State.

Though neither Obama nor Clinton has spoken publicly about the meeting, unidentified aides have told media outlets like CNN that Obama has offered Clinton the aforesaid role.