Mimievans’s Blog

MSNBC is reporting this morning that CitiGroup is still having problems staying afloat, despite recent layoffs and budget cuts. CitiGroup’s CEO, Vikram Pandit is seeking additional funding. Yeah, good luck with that one, just ask the Big Three.

So since Congress bailed out Frannie, Freddie and AIG, will they also bail out CitiGroup? And if so, why not the Big Three auto makers?

Pandit is definitely in the fight of his life as others are watching and waiting for the possibility of a takeover or merger after the company’s stock plummeted 50% this week, down under $4.00 a share after receiving a vote of “non-confidence” from the market, Fixed-income investors see a huge risk.

At least Pandit has not flown his private jet to Washington to beg for a bailout. One has to admire the CEO for trying to resolve his company’s issues through sweat, sacrifice and hard work. I am sure it will pay off and CitiGroup will rebound.

So as Barack Obama begins the tedious process of choosing his highest and most important cabinet members, the buzz is all about former first lady and NY Senator Hillary Clinton. Apparently a “leak” to the press is rumoring Obama to choose Hillary as his Secretary of State.

Hillary’s camp is saying that it is unsure that she even wants the daunting task, others stating that she is her own person and will find it rather difficult to conform to the Barack policies. But whatever Hilary must be thinking, Obama certainly has some serious considerations to make before officially offering the position to the Senator and former rival.

There has been much talk from supporters of Hillary being named Secretary of State about her past accomplishments. But really, what are they? Seems I am not the only one asking that question.

http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/251786/Op_Ed_Hillary_Clinton_the_Can_Do_Candidate_

If it is not enough that Hillary’s “past accomplishments” seem a tad vague to most people, how about Bill? The question that has to be asked is does Obama really want the drama, being called “No Drama Obama” and all, and the extra baggage that is Bill Clinton so closely to his operation?

So let’s weigh the pros:

*Hillary is an exceptionally dynamic political figure, love her or hate or.

* Hillary is well known in the international world

*Hillary is known for working for the people, i.e. health-care issues, women’s rights

* The influence and connections that former President Clinton has may prove to be useful to Obama

But now let’s look at the “woes”:

* The same global relations that Bill has may actually end up hurting Obama in the future, depending on any “promises” made by Clinton.

* Hillary has openly stated that she will “bomb Iran” if things don’t go as plan, calling Obama and his call for diplomacy “naive”. Can she work with him now? (tehe)

* The Clintons have openly stated that Obama will get “two for the price of one”. Ok…Two Clintons for the price of one. Oh joy.

* Although Hillary is known in the international arena, she is most certainly is not a diplomat and after her “bomb Iran” tirade, will probably not be accepted by that portion of the world.

* As her supporters have already mentioned, she is independant and likes making decisions, how then can she come under Obama and actually pay a spat of attention to anything he is telling her to do or suggests?

* The same people who endorsed Obama throughout his entire campaign have now a very bitter taste in their mouths with the possibility of Hillary coming on board, not to mention Senator Lieberman keeping his post after his disgraceful acts. Won’t this cause a lot of confusion and contempt for the new president?

So the ultimate question is, with all the leakage in the press of Hillary being chosen, what will Obama do? Hopefully, he will weigh the facts as I have and make a decision based on what is best for the position and not what she, the media, or Hillary supporters would like to see.