It’s all part of the plan

I’m seeing a lot of discussion – on both sides of the political chasm (example) – about whether or not Hillary Clinton is eligible to be the U.S. Secretary of State.

Article I, Section 6 of the U.S. Constitution is where the money is:

No Senator or Representative shall, during the time for which he was elected, be appointed to any civil office under the authority of the United States, which shall have been created, or the emoluments whereof shall have been increased during such time…

Translation: if the Sec State’s salary was increased while Clinton was in the Senate, she can’t have the job because she benefits from the pay increase she helped enact. I assume from all the discussion that salaries (or something) were increased.

Tell you what, this right here is Rovian in its political brilliance.

Obama convinces Clinton – his biggest rival and, potentially, his biggest pain in the butt – to take a plum Cabinet job.

She resigns from the Senate to take the job, and then…bam! Not eligible!

Obama wouldn’t even have to wait until a court issues a decision. He could simply decide that his fledgling administration doesn’t need the controversy. Bye, Hillary!

And, just like that, Hillary is out of government completely. Out of the public eye. Brilliant!