Obama chooses Hillary as VP and wins: who becomes SoS?

How would Obama's presidency have evolved to this point if an Obama/Hillary ticket won the White House last November? Keep in mind that Hillary could not have become Secretary of State ITTL (at least I wouldn't think she could have held both the Vice Presidency and Secretary of State at the same time).

ACG
 
I read back in 2008 before Hillary was chosen, that John Kerry wanted to be secretary of State. I'm not sure if thats true, of if Obama really ever seriously considerd him.

Other than him, maybe Joe Biden or Bill Richardson. I can see both of them being Secretary of State. Maybe David Petreus?
 
Actually, legally she could hold a simultaneous cabinet position, but no POTUS ever tried it. Obama's problem would be that she'd resemble far too closely a Parliamentary DPM/ Deputy Leader, with all the accompanying ups and downs.
 
Joe Biden.

If not for being selected by Obama as his running mate, he would be selected. Joe always had an overwhelming desire to become Secretary of State and would have jumped at the opportunity if Hillary was selected as Obama's running mate. Bill Richardson would also have been touted but his alleged activities would have prevented his nomination from occurring.
 
Joe Biden. He's got the cred from his position within the Senate, not to mention his wife has seemed to drop a few hints about the idea. IIRC, she mentioned something about Biden being offered 'either the VP position or SoS', and they obviously chose the Veepship.
 
I would say Biden or Kerry are most likely I think Biden would probably be considered first but his chances might be hurt because of his reputation for being a bit of a rambler. Richardson is out even if were to be tapped his legal troubles would eventually kill his nomination.
 
As said, the rumour was that Biden was given a choice between being VP or being Secretary of State - he would be the obvious choice.

Biden has the experience, he has the cred in Washington. Obama needed to display he had someone on his team that had that - in OTL he chose to display it during the campaign rather than during the transition.

I can't see it going to Kerry. If Biden doesn't get it, then Richard Holbrooke is probaby a more likely second choice. Richardson is also too close to the Clintons and has his obvious OTL difficulties which killed his Commerce nomination.
 
So I get the impression that Biden and Clinton would both be happier if they switched offices. Interesting.
 
So I get the impression that Biden and Clinton would both be happier if they switched offices. Interesting.

I don't think Clinton could play second-banana. You know the Clintons. Wherever they go, drama (real or not) is sure to follow.
 
Fix it by having her serve simultaneously as SoS and Veep, which though legal has never been done. Although as I said, I doubt whether Obama could handle the closest the US could get to a DPM. Hasn't been done in nearly a half century. Particularly when you're not the closest of friends. ;)
 
I don't think Clinton could play second-banana. You know the Clintons. Wherever they go, drama (real or not) is sure to follow.

Quite right, I could be wrong but I can't really see Hilary being content to play second fiddle on the domestic front. The perception I have over here is that she has been granted a level of autonomy over Foreign Policy that she simply would not be able to enjoy as VPOTUS.
 
Usually having a runner-up as #2 doesn't end well. As the 36th POTUS found out *very* painfully, portfolio titles mean nothing. Or as Mrs. T put it: "He gets to sit on my right at the Cabinet table, but that's about it." Somehow it just seems wrong that Geoffrey Howe is on the right of Margaret Thatcher, BTW.
 
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