Sen. Hillary Clinton has emerged as a leading contender to be the country's top diplomat in the next administration.

(CNN) – Sen. Hillary Clinton continues to top the short list of possible contenders to be the next Secretary of State under President-elect Barack Obama.

In addition to Clinton, there are several prominent Democrats and even one Republican on CNN’s list:

SEN. JOHN KERRY: The 2004 Democratic presidential nominee has served on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for almost 20 years.

DR. SUSAN RICE: A veteran of Bill Clinton’s State Department, Rice was also a senior adviser to Obama’s presidential campaign.

GOV. BILL RICHARDSON: The New Mexico governor was tapped by Bill Clinton to be U.S. Ambassador to the U.N., but Richardson broke with the Clintons when he decided to endorse Obama after ending his own 2008 presidential bid.

SEN. DICK LUGAR: The Republican, who sits on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, worked with Obama last year to expand a program that destroys weapons of mass destruction in the former Soviet Union.

SAM NUNN: The former Democratic senator from Georgia currently co-chairs an effort to reduce threats from nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons. While in the Senate, Nunn worked with Lugar to destroy weapons of mass destruction amassed by the former Soviet Union.

Click here for additional CNN short lists for Obama’s potential cabinet.

Sen. Hillary Clinton has been mentioned as a candidate for Obama's secretary of state, sources say.

WASHINGTON (CNN) — The Democratic Senate leadership is considering a new role for Sen. Hillary Clinton should she decide to remain in the Senate and not accept the rumored offer of a position in President-elect Barack Obama's Cabinet, a Democratic official told CNN Wednesday.

CNN reported last week that Clinton and Obama met to discuss the possibility of Clinton, Obama's chief rival for the Democratic presidential nomination, serving as secretary of state. Multiple sources told CNN that Clinton left the meeting with the impression that the job was hers if she wanted it.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's motivation for considering a new role for Clinton at this time was unclear, although multiple Democratic sources said Clinton made it known to the leadership prior to her meeting with Obama that she wanted a new role.

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Watch Wednesday's episode of CNN=Politics Daily, The Best Political Podcast from The Best Political Team.

(CNN) – A top enemy of the United States has weighed in on the next president.

In the latest episode of CNN=Politics Daily, Pentagon Correspondent Barbara Starr reports on a message that surfaced Wednesday that is purportedly from Ayman al-Zawahiri, al Qaeda’s second-in-command. The message insults President-elect Barack Obama using a derogatory term for African-Americans.

White House Correspondent Ed Henry reports from Chicago with the latest on the reaction from the Obama camp.

State Department Correspondent Zain Verjee also takes a look at how former President Bill Clinton’s business deals, speaking engagements, and views on foreign policy issues might impact his wife’s diplomatic work should she ultimately be named the next secretary of state.

Finally, watch Chief National Correspondent John King and several other familiar faces from CNN as they take part in The Daily Show’s spoof of CNN’s Magic Wall.

Click here to subscribe to CNN=Politics Daily.

CHICAGO, Illinois (CNN) — A source tells CNN that Barack Obama's presidential campaign raised $800,000 to help pay down Senator Hillary Clinton's debt from her bid for Democratic presidential nomination.

An aide to Clinton says that the Senator from New York has $7.6 million in debt remaining from her primary campaign. Clinton was over $20 million in the red after she gave up her campaign and endorsed Obama following the end of the primary season in early June. About half of that figure was money she owed herself after loaning her own campaign over $12 million dollars.

An aide to the president-elect says that the Obama campaign will disclose how much money they have left over from their run for the White House when the campaign files a financial report with the Federal Election Commission on December 4.

Bill Clinton's extensive global ties could cause conflict if Hillary Clinton is appointed as secretary of state.

WASHINGTON (CNN) — Former President Bill Clinton's international business dealings, global foundation and penchant for going off script could present a significant obstacle to Hillary Clinton becoming secretary of state, observers say.

On the one hand, his established relationships with world leaders could instantly make the New York senator a welcome face in embassies around the world.

On the other, his complicated global business interests could present future conflicts of interest that result in unneeded headaches for the incoming commander-in-chief.

"These are issues that I'm sure are being discussed, and they will have to be worked out, and it's legitimate to ask these questions," said James Carville, a former aide to the Clintons and CNN contributor.

Full story

CNN's Jim Acosta takes a look at the pros and cons of Hillary Clinton as the next Secretary of State. (Getty Images)

Sources have told CNN Obama has asked Clinton if she is interested in the Secretary of State post.

(CNN) — Republicans praised the prospect of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Sunday.

Former Nixon and Ford Secretary of State Henry Kissinger said Sunday that Clinton would be an “outstanding” selection.

“She is a lady of great intelligence, demonstrated enormous determination and would be an outstanding appointment," Kissinger told the World Economic Forum's India Economic Summit in New Delhi, according to Bloomberg News.

Clinton is reportedly President-elect Barack Obama’s top pick for the post.

“If it is true, it will show a couple of things," Kissinger said. “It shows great courage on the part of the president-elect to appoint a very strong personality, who has an independent constituency, into a cabinet position. It also shows willingness on the part of Clinton to subordinate herself to someone whom she lost out to."

On CNN’s Late Edition with Wolf Blitzer, Tennessee Rep. Marsha Blackburn said Clinton would be a good fit for the position. “I think that Hillary Clinton will probably accept that, from what I am hearing. I think it would be a nice gesture. I think that she is well qualified,” said the Republican congresswoman.

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Schwarzenegger likes the idea of Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State.

(CNN) – California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger weighed in on the possibility of Hillary Clinton becoming President-elect Barack Obama's Secretary State, praising the potential choice as a "great move."

"I think she is a very very bright woman and very experienced. I think this could be a great move," Schwarzenegger told ABC's George Stephanopoulos in an interview set to air Sunday.

But Schwarzenegger, a Republican, also suggested Obama must be sure he can work with his former primary rival before he officially offers her the position.

"When it comes to those kinds of positions, what is equally as important, and I know with my cabinet, what is equally as important as who is qualified, is who can you work with. Who can you sit down with and really get in there and start becoming a partner [with], that sees things the way you see it," he said.

"And also that you maybe want to learn from that person and admire that person so much that you want to pick up some pointers and learn from that person, so that they together can go out and do this," Schwarzenegger also said.

Sources told CNN Friday Obama met with Clinton in Chicago Thursday to gauge the New York senator's interest in the top diplomatic post. Sources also told CNN Obama is considering New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson for the position.

Clinton would not comment on the speculation Friday.

Sources say Obama asked Clinton if she is interested in the secretary of state post.

WASHINGTON (CNN) — Multiple Democratic sources tell CNN that President Elect Barack Obama and Senator Hillary Clinton had a “serious discussion” Thursday to gauge Clinton’s interest in the post of Secretary of State, if she were offered it. Senator Clinton’s response is unknown, although multiple sources agree that Hillary Clinton was left with the impression that if she were interested in the post, it would be hers.

“There was a serious discussion to determine whether, if offered Secretary of State, she would accept it,” said a source close to the Obama transition.

In these circumstances, that source added, a president-elect does not meet with potential cabinet secretaries unless they are serious about making an offer.

Another source close to the Obama transition team told CNN, “this (asking Clinton to be Secretary of State) has been of great interest to Obama for awhile. You’ve got to assume that Hillary Clinton did not come to visit the city of Chicago.”

Over the course of the last 24 hours, sources close to Hillary Clinton have softened their one-time solid public position that she would not be interested in a cabinet position. Those sources now say that Hillary Clinton is clearly contemplating various ways in which she can serve the Obama Administration.

On Monday, Senator Clinton responded to a reporter’s question by saying, “I am happy being a Senator from New York, I love this state and this city. I am looking at the long list of things I have to catch up on and do. But I want to be a good partner and I want to do everything I can to make sure his agenda is going to be successful."

Another source close to the Obama transition team tells CNN that among the key details to be worked out with Clinton, should she express interest in the position, are issues of how her husband, former President Bill Clinton, will be able to continue his work with the Clinton Global Initiative without complicating Hillary Clinton’s work as Secretary of State.

Clinton spoke in Albany Friday.

(CNN) – Hillary Clinton refused to speculate on whether she will be a member of Barack Obama's administration Friday.

"I'm very happy there is so much press attention and interest in transit," Clinton said to laughs during a speech in Albany on the subject. "In the off chance that you're not here for this important issue and are here for some other reason, let me just say that I'm not going to speculate or address anything about the president-elect's incoming administration."

Sen. Hillary Clinton met with President-elect Barack Obama Thursday in Chicago sources tell CNN.

CHICAGO (CNN) – President-elect Barack Obama met with New York Sen. Hillary Clinton late Thursday afternoon in Chicago, two sources confirm to CNN.

The meeting was held at the request of Obama.

One of the sources says Clinton went to the meeting because "she knew Obama wanted to talk about whether she would have a role in the administration."

UPDATE:An Obama transition source says the meeting came about through Sen Lindsey Graham, a McCain supporter, and Rahm Emanuel, Obama's new chief of staff. Both men have had a "longstanding relationship," according to the source and worked out the meeting.

Clinton and Obama campaigned together this fall.

(CNN) — Two sources close to the Obama transition team tell CNN that Senator Hillary Clinton’s name has been mentioned as a possible candidate for Secretary of State.

One source close to Hillary Clinton tells CNN that as of early yesterday, Senator Clinton had not been contacted by the transition team about a possible cabinet appointment. This same source tells CNN that Senator Clinton would not necessarily dismiss such an offer.

A spokesman for Hillary Clinton, Philippe Reines, tells CNN “Any speculation about cabinet or other administration appointments is really for President-Elect Obama's transition team to address.”

On Monday night, while walking into an awards ceremony in New York, Senator Clinton was asked if she would consider taking a post in the Obama administration. She replied, "I am happy being a Senator from New York, I love this state and this city. I am looking at the long list of things I have to catch up on and do. But I want to be a good partner and I want to do everything I can to make sure his agenda is going to be successful."

Hillary Clinton earlier today at the polls.

(CNN) – Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama have spoken, according to Clinton spokesman Philippe Reines.

Watch: Barack Obama is elected 44th president of The United States

The two spoke for a few minutes: Clinton congratulated Obama on his victory, and offered her condolences on the loss of his grandmother. Obama thanked the New York senator for all she did to help him win the election, and said he looks forward to speaking with both her and President Clinton soon.

Statement of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton
Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2008

Tonight, we are celebrating an historic victory for the American people. This was a long and hard fought campaign but the result was well worth the wait.

Together, under the leadership of President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, and a Democratic Congress, we will chart a better course to build a new economy and rebuild our leadership in the world. And I look forward to doing all that I can to support President Obama and Vice President Biden in the difficult work that lies ahead.

For too long, middle class families in this country have felt invisible, struggling alone as wages stagnate, jobs disappear, and the costs of daily life climb upward. In quiet, solitary acts of citizenship, American voters gave voice to their hopes and their values, voted for change, and refused to be invisible any longer.

PUMA members still won't vote for Obama.

(CNN) — When Will Bower, an ardent Hillary Clinton supporter and lifelong Democrat, founded PUMA, Party Unity My A**, his mission was to express frustration in the Democratic Party. Fast forward six months to Election Day, and he is proud to say he's cast his ballot for the candidate he "trusts" most: John McCain.

"I see Barack Obama as essentially being the Democratic George Bush," Bower said. "It's a reactionary movement. People like John McCain and Hillary Clinton represent mores stability and sensibility to me."

Bower started the PUMA movement in the days leading up to the suspension of Clinton's presidential campaign in early June.

The initiative was not to rally support for McCain but to unite those who don't want Obama as president.

The group is predominantly composed of female Clinton supporters, Bower told CNN in early June, but he has also helped launch the Just Say No Deal, a nationwide coalition that he estimated has 2 million voters who are also vowing to "say no" to the Illinois senator.

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Hillary and Bill Clinton cast their votes Tuesday from Chappaqua, New York.

(CNN) — Speaking to reporters in Chappaqua, New York, Bill and Hillary Clinton emphasized the tall order facing Barack Obama if he wins the presidency, and reflected on parallels between this year's race and President Clinton's own 1992 run.

"It’s got a lot of parallels to 1992, in the sense that the economy is in trouble and all that," Bill Clinton said. "But the difference is that it’s coming after eight years, six of which had the Republicans in control of both the White House and the Congress."

"I think most people understand this is not just a choice between candidates –- it’s a choice between philosophies," He said. "That’s going to be the fundamental significance, and our party tomorrow will wake up with an enormous responsibility, but a profound responsibility."

Watch: Bill and Hillary Clinton cast their votes Tuesday

Hillary Clinton also conveyed confidence in the Democratic ticket and Party—emphasizing the vital need to work across party lines moving forward.

"It's going to be really hard, but I think everybody's up to the task and we're gonna roll up our sleeves and we're gonna get to work," said the New York senator.

"I think that the country will be well served. I'm not painting any rosy scenarios," she said. "It's going to be very difficult to dig ourselves out of the ditch that the Republicans are gonna leave us in, but we'll do it, and I'm very confident about that."

The RNC is using Hillary Clinton in a new robocall.

NEW YORK (CNN) – The Republican National Committee is using Hillary Clinton’s past criticism of Barack Obama to plant seeds of doubt in the minds of undecided voters in the final hours of the presidential campaign.

The RNC will begin an automated telephone campaign Sunday targeting millions of voters in key states that supported Clinton in the Democratic presidential primary or have a large concentration of blue collar voters, a Republican official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, tells CNN. The official was not able to specify which states, but added: keep an eye on Ohio, Pennsylvania and Indiana.

Listen: RNC uses Clinton in new robocall

Full script:

“I am calling for John McCain and the RNC. Listen to what Hillary Clinton had to say about John McCain and Barack Obama:

‘In the White House there is no time for speeches and on-the-job training. Senator McCain will bring a lifetime of experience to the campaign and Senator Obama will bring a speech that he gave in 2002. I think that is a significant difference.’

This call was paid for by the Republican National Committee at 866-558-5591 and authorized by McCain-Palin 2008.”

Sen. Hillary Clinton, who supports Sen. Barack Obama's presidential bid, is featured in an anti-Obama newspaper ad by the Republican Jewish Coalition.

(CNN) – The Republican Jewish Coalition is backing Sen. John McCain for president, but the group’s latest newspaper ad uses Sen. Hillary Clinton’s record on issues of particular concern to Jewish voters (along with that of McCain) to make the case against Sen. Barack Obama, the Democratic nominee.

The latest installment in the group’s series of ads in Jewish newspapers across the country features Clinton’s positions on Jerusalem, meeting with leaders of hostile nations, and labeling Iran’s Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organization alongside that of the two men still running for the White House. The ad portrays Clinton and McCain as agreeing on all three foreign policy issues with Obama as the outlier.

“Now are you concerned about Barack Obama?,” the ad says. “You should be,” it reads in all capital letters.

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Gov. Palin appealed to women voters in Nevada Tuesday.

HENDERSON, Nevada (CNN) — Flanked by a quintet of former Hillary Clinton supporters, Sarah Palin on Tuesday made her most direct appeal to female voters since kicking off her vice presidential campaign in August.

With polls showing Palin's unfavorable ratings among women rising over the last month, the Alaska governor looked to tap into any lingering tensions left over from the drawn-out Democratic primary battle — a fight that left many Clinton supporters disappointed.

"Our opponents think that they have the women's vote all locked up, which is a little presumptuous," Palin said. "Little presumptuous, since only our side has a woman on the ticket."

"You've got to ask yourself, why was Senator Hillary Clinton not even vetted by the Obama campaign? Why did it take 24 years, an entire generation from the time Geraldine Ferraro made her pioneering bid, until the next time that a woman was asked to join a national ticket?"

Palin spoke glowingly of Clinton in the early days of her campaign, but mentions of the New York senator elicited boos from her heavily-Republican crowds. She soon dropped the references from her stump speech.

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Obama said his 'bitter' comment was 'boneheaded.'

(CNN) — It’s a presidential campaign during which Barack Obama has noticeably made few damaging missteps, but the Illinois senator says one in particular was downright "boneheaded."

Speaking to the New York Times in an interview set to be published Sunday, Obama said his now-infamous comments at a San Francisco fundraiser last April — during which he said some small town Americans "cling" to guns and religion — was "my biggest boneheaded move."

"How it was interpreted in the press was Obama talking to a bunch of wine-sipping San Francisco liberals with an anthropological view toward white working-class voters," Obama told the Times. "And I was actually making the reverse point, clumsily, which is that these voters have a right to be frustrated because they've been ignored. And because Democrats haven't met them halfway on cultural issues, we've not been able to communicate to them effectively an economic agenda that would help broaden our coalition."

The comments, first reported by a Huffington Post blogger 10 days before the crucial Pennsylvania primary, immediately set off a firestorm of criticism and charges from Sen. Hillary Clinton that Obama was "elitist and divisive."

"People don't need a president who looks down on them, they need a president who stands up for them," Clinton said at the time of the comments many political observers thought had the potential to derail Obama's candidacy.

John McCain also called the comments elitist, though the Arizona senator has made little mention of them in his general election match-up with the Democratic presidential nominee.

Obama went on to lose the Pennsylvania primary by nearly 10 points, though it's unclear if the "bitter" comments specifically contributed to his defeat there. Exit polls showed Democrats didn't view Obama any more out-of-touch than they did Clinton, suggesting the New York senator’s elitist charges didn't stick.