According to several press reports, president-elect Barack Obama is considering tow of his democratic rivals in the primary campaign for the job of Secretary of State. Senator Hillary Clinton and New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson have been mentioned for the job of running America’s foreign policy establishment.

Hillary Clinton is surprising as a possible head of the State Department, since she lacks convincing foreign policy credentials. Bill Richardson, however, has served as the UN ambassador during the Clinton administration, and was a negotiator with North Korea on the nuclear issue. Also, unlike Hillary Clinton, Richardson does not bring the baggage of a Bill Clinton. It is possible that there are other contenders as well.