US “troubleshooter” Bill Richardson, who just returned from a trip to North Korea, is likely to be tapped to succeed Hillary Clinton to become the next U.S. Secretary of State, Yonhap News Agency said Saturday citing a report.
“Numerous sources are pointing toward New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson as possibly replacing Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State in 2011,” Exminer.com said.
The possibility is opening up, with some circumstantial signs backing up the view.
For example, the current U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s husband, Bill Clinton, is suffering from heart conditions and she is said to want to spend more time with her family, it said.
If Hillary Clinton steps down, Richardson is likely to be one of the strongest candidates for the position. The New Mexico Governor has a background in diplomacy. He previously served as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations as well as energy secretary under President Clinton.
Richardson also acted as a troubleshooter a few times before when American civilians became hostages in North Korea, by visiting North Korea and rescuing them.
Richardson himself also recently stated that he would like a position in the Obama administration after he leaves office at the end of this year, the report said.
Fitting into the change, Obama advisor David Axelrod said Friday that there would be “significant changes” announced in the Obama Whitehouse after the President returns from his vacation in Hawaii, it added.
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