Hillary had options...

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2008/11/29/2008-11-29_hillary_clinton_passed_on_appropriations.html?print=1&page=all

Well it appears Hilliary turned down the chairmanship of Senator Byrd's Appropriations Committee to help Obama build a Cabinet acceptable to the Conservatives.

Appropriations is the most important and powerful committee in the Senate, and has been held by Senate Dean Robert Byrd of WV.

Senator Byrd will serve as President Emeritus of the Senate, making him #3 in line of succession.

It is not clear if he will also accept the position of Chairman Emeritus of Appropriations, but has been assured WV will be well considered in future spending projects of tremendous import to the state and nation.

It is not clear who will be appointed to succeed Senator Clinton from NY, but much speculation centers on AG Andrew Cuomo.

Rev. Al Sharpton has also been mentioned.

This contricts two reports I read last week that said she didn't have the seniority in the Senate to garner much power.

From the linked article

"Kennedy wasn't happy about how some things were handled in the campaign, but it was really a seniority issue. Hillary didn't have the seniority" - and hence the clout - to shepherd health care through the Senate, said a source familiar with the matter.

"Kennedy knew it and [Senate Democratic leader] Harry Reid knew it," the source added.

In the Senate, seniority is everything, so how was she going to jump 30 some other Senators with more seniority and step into the most powerful seat in the Senate.

Without some proof, I would question this. And for the record, Reid, nor anyone else confirmed it.

A source close to Reid did not dispute that the Appropriations position had been extended to Clinton, but insisted "the leadership had a number of options," and "did everything to be accommodating."

So Byrd lost his chairmanship. He got nothing in return.

Hillary is supposed to please conservatives? Have I got your spin on this correct?

Eliot Spitzer is available.