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Obama and McCain 'to hold talks' Obama 'ponders Clinton top job'
(about 5 hours later)
US President-elect Barack Obama is to meet former Republican rival John McCain on Monday for talks on working together, an Obama aide has said. US President-elect Barack Obama has met former rival Hillary Clinton to discuss offering her a top job in his administration, US media reports say.
The meeting will be held at Mr Obama's transition headquarters in Chicago, spokeswoman Stephanie Cutter said. Speculation in the US is rife, with some reports suggesting Mrs Clinton could become his secretary of state.
She said Congressman Rahm Emanuel, Mr Obama's chief-of-staff, and Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who is close to Mr McCain, would also be present. She has refused to comment, and Mr Obama's transition team have not confirmed any of the reports.
Meanwhile, Senator Hillary Clinton is reported to have met Mr Obama. Mr Obama is to meet his Republican rival John McCain on Monday to discuss working together, aides say.
Reports of the meeting in Chicago on Thursday afternoon came amid media speculation Mr Obama might be considering Mrs Clinton for a senior post in his administration, such as secretary of state. Mrs Clinton and Mr Obama fought a long and often bitter campaign to be the Democratic Party's presidential candidate.
But speaking in Albany, New York, on Friday, the former First Lady refused to comment on the rumours. They share an important belief that Americans want and deserve a more effective and efficient government Stephanie CutterObama spokeswoman I'm not going to speculate or address anything about the president-elect's incoming administration Hillary Clinton But after losing out on the nomination, she endorsed his bid for the presidency and campaigned for his election.
Reports suggested she met Mr Obama in Chicago on Thursday.
Speaking in Albany, New York, on Friday, the former First Lady refused to comment on the rumours that she could take up a senior position when Mr Obama becomes president on 20 January.
"I'm not going to speculate or address anything about the president-elect's incoming administration," she said. "And I'm going to respect his process and any inquiries should be directed to his transition team.""I'm not going to speculate or address anything about the president-elect's incoming administration," she said. "And I'm going to respect his process and any inquiries should be directed to his transition team."
Mrs Clinton endorsed Mr Obama's presidential bid after losing to him in the battle to be the Democratic Party's presidential candidate. Some Democrats have welcomed the possibility.
Monday's talks with Mr McCain will take place two weeks after Mr Obama won the presidential election. New Jersey Democratic Governor Jon Corzine told MSNBC: "She probably knows every major foreign leader. There's already a relationship where she can sit and talk directly about the problems that exist either on a bilateral or multilateral basis."
Working together
The meeting between Mr Obama and Mr McCain will be held at Mr Obama's transition headquarters in Chicago, said his spokeswoman Stephanie Cutter.
Congressman Rahm Emanuel, Mr Obama's chief-of-staff, and Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who is close to Mr McCain, would also be present, she said.
Ms Cutter said the former rivals' discussions would focus on bipartisanship.Ms Cutter said the former rivals' discussions would focus on bipartisanship.
"It's well known that they share an important belief that Americans want and deserve a more effective and efficient government, and will discuss ways to work together to make that a reality," she said."It's well known that they share an important belief that Americans want and deserve a more effective and efficient government, and will discuss ways to work together to make that a reality," she said.