JUICY

Posted at 7:57 a.m. ET

The internet is alive with the sound, not of music, but of eyes popping.  Can it be true?  Will President-elect Obama select Hillary Clinton as his secretary of state?  This is the juiciest story to come along in days, as ABC reports:

There's a lot of buzz in DC tonight about the fact that the Obama Transition Team is, according to one knowledgeable source, "very serious" about Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-NY, being under consideration for Secretary of State.

George Stephanopoulos reported Clinton's name being in the mix last week on Good Morning America, but the buzz grew louder today after Clinton was spotted boarding a flight to Chicago.

Her spokesman Philippe Reines would not discuss Clinton's schedule, and of course the Obama Transition Team would not comment.

Now, look, some history:  A lot of women at the Democratic barricades were burned when Obama didn't name Hillary as his v.p. candidate.  Now this story about State is out there, and we wonder whether Obama can risk disappointing that same faction again.  He may have to name her.

She brings instant stature to the job, one Democrat told me. Many world leaders have known her for almost two decades.

"Clinton is the gold standard around the world, " said Chris Lehane, a former spokesman for Vice President Al Gore.

Well, at least the bronze standard.  And there's this:

There are drawbacks, of course. Her husband Bill Clinton's vast and varied international business dealings and relationships, which have put him at odds with her policy positions.

When have truth and corruption been issues in that crowd?

Are you thinking what I'm thinking?  I'm thinking about that line from "The Godfather" - "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer."  Naming Clinton to his cabinet instantly eliminates a rival power center in the Democratic Party. 

We obviously don't know yet if Clinton wants the job.  But apparently she did meet with Obama in Chicago, and I'm sure she knew what it was about before she bought her economy ticket.  However, she'd have to leave the Senate, where there is potential power as majority leader.  She'd have to follow Obama's instructions in foreign policy, which may not interest her.

Obama could do a lot worse.  Clinton, in foreign-policy terms, is a centrist, and her selection would signal "no Carter," which is a good signal to send. 

Stay tuned.  This is what makes politics great.

November 14, 2008.