Clinton weighing job offer, possible loss of her independence

NEW YORK — For years, Hillary Rodham Clinton set aside her own considerable ambition to promote her husband's political career.

Now, as President-elect Barack Obama's choice to be secretary of state, the former first lady faces the prospect of subsuming her political identity yet again — this time on behalf of the man who dashed her hopes of returning to the White House in her own right.

Friends said the potential loss of her independence, hard won by her election to the Senate from New York in 2000, caused Clinton to waver last week as she considered Obama's offer.

But advisers said the discussions got back on track after he promised she would have considerable input on staffing decisions and plenty of access to him.

Aides said that while the deal is not yet final, the president-elect is on track to nominate Clinton as the nation's top diplomat after Thanksgiving.

Obama's decision to choose Clinton has stunned many observers riveted by the two Democrats' epic primary battle, leading some to question how this high-profile partnership might work.

Among the issues: Why would Obama choose someone he repeatedly criticized for voting for the U.S. invasion of Iraq to be the face of his administration's foreign policy? Why would he abrogate his famous "no drama" policy and embrace Clintonian theatrics?

And why would Clinton subordinate her strong personality and views to be a global ambassador for Obama? Throughout the campaign, she insisted he didn't have the experience to be president and dismissed his willingness to meet with rogue leaders as "irresponsible and frankly naive."

Obama's advisers said the matter is simple: The strengths Clinton would bring to the job would outweigh the drawbacks.

"Hillary Clinton is a demonstrably able, tough, brilliant person who can help ... advance the interests of this administration and this country," Obama strategist David Axelrod said Sunday in an interview on "Fox News Sunday."

He added that Obama, as president, would set U.S. policy no matter how many strong personalities he had in his Cabinet and on his staff. Indeed, perhaps as a counterweight to the Clinton pick, Obama is likely to name James L. Jones, a widely respected former Marine Corps commandant and NATO commander, to be his national security adviser. Jones would lend a powerful voice on foreign policy matters right in the White House, while Clinton was at the State Department or overseas.