Clinton role

US president-elect Barack Obama plans to nominate Hillary Clinton as secretary of state after the US Thanksgiving holiday next week, a new milestone for the former first lady and a convergence of two political forces who fought hard for the presidency.

One week after the former primary rivals met secretly to discuss the idea of Clinton becoming the nation’s top diplomat, an Obama adviser said that the two sides were moving quickly toward making it a reality, barring any unforeseen problems.

The senior adviser, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Obama believes Clinton would bring instant stature and credibility to US diplomatic relations.

Obama is convinced the advantages of Clinton serving far outweighed potential downsides, the adviser said. Transition aides said the two camps have worked out financial disclosure issues involving Clinton’s husband, former president Bill Clinton, and the complicated international funding of his foundation that operates in more than 40 countries.

Clinton has been mulling the post for several days, but the comments from the transition aides suggested that Obama’s team does not feel she is inclined to turn it down.

Clinton spokesman Philippe Reines would not comment, except to say that anything about cabinet appointments is for Obama’s transition team to address.