It's Official

It's official: New York Senator Hillary Clinton has been nominated to be the next secretary of State, and there is no reason to believe that the Senate -- where the Democrats will have at least an 8-seat majority come January -- will confirm her. Twelve, nine, six, even three months ago, a move like this would have been seen as impossible. But alas, here we are. Go figure. I think that Sen. Clinton is up to the challenge, and with the vast range of national security and international issues facing the incoming administration, President-Elect Obama needs all input he can get.

It's official: Sen. Clinton will be resigning her seat in the United States Senate in order to assume the duties as secretary of State. Therefore, the responsibility to fill her seat will fall on the shoulders of New York Governor David Patterson, and there are a number of names being floated. One name, however, is particularly intriguing: Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand, who represents the local 22nd congressional district. She may be young (she just got elected to her second term in the House of Representatives), but she is a woman and from upstate, which are two qualities that Gov. Patterson is reportedly considering.

It's official: Defense Secretary Robert Gates will retain his position in the Cabinet under the Obama Administration. I think that this is a smart move. I have always been very impressed by Robert Gates, from the moment that he was nominated by President Bush to fill the slot being vacated by Donald Rumsfeld, and he was a much needed improvement. Continuity, especially in a time of such conflicts and challenged, will be important and helpful.

Updated:

It's official: The United States is in a recession, and we have been for the past 12 months. Go figure. In fact, it is a world-wide recession (which I don't really understand, I mean the money doesn't just disappear, does it?). In the past, world-wide recessions have lasted between 12-16 months, so we may be well over halfway through. But on the other hand, the challenges that the country is facing are, to a certain extent, unprecedented, so who is to say?