HILLARY TO DEFENSE? – AT 9:05 A.M. ET:  This speculation was inevitable.  From Politics Daily:

Speculation is bubbling at the prospect of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton becoming Secretary of Defense upon Robert Gates's retirement in 2011.

Gates, the only Republican holdover from the Bush Administration, recently told "Foreign Policy" magazine that he planned to step down next year.

Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell said in an e-mail to reporters, "This is not Secretary Gates announcing his retirement. This is the secretary musing about when it would make sense for him to finally bow out. He has long said he would not serve the whole term and now he has told Foreign Policy that he thinks it best to leave with enough time on the administration's clock for his successor to be effective."

Still, it was enough to set off a name game of possible replacements, including Clinton. If Clinton accepted the position, she would be the first woman to hold it – another milestone in a historic political career.

Hmm.  Interesting, and possible.  On the positive side, Clinton could see Defense as another ticket punched, another qualification for the presidency:  First lady, senator, secretary of defense, secretary of state.  She could also polish her "patriotic" credentials, not bad in an era when the country seems to be moving to the right.  There's Hillary on the carrier, in the cockpit, with the troops in Afghanistan.

Negative:  She'd be stuck holding the bag for Obama's failures, especially if he demands premature withdrawal from Iraq and Afghanistan.  Why go down with a sinking ship?

Clinton would certainly be preferable to some of the names thrown about, especially the unspeakable Republican turncoat Chuck Hagel.  And she'd be acceptable to both parties, avoiding a bloody confirmation battle in the Senate. 

Stand by.  I have no doubt the speculation will grow if it looks like Gates is really departing.

August 18, 2010