There has been a lot of talk and speculation in the media over who will replace Secretary of State Hillary Clinton when she steps down in January as President Obama begins his second term in office. UN ambassador Susan Rice and Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry have been among those being touted as possible replacements, but a new player has been added to the mix-Under Secretary of State Maria Otero.
Otero, who has worked under Clinton since being sworn in August 2009, is the highest- ranking Hispanic official at the State Department and the first Latina Under Secretary in its history. According to PolicyMic, Otero is "a good candidate to replace Clinton should Rice not receive the nomination." The Under Secretary, who was born in La Paz, Bolivia, speaks four languages and has received several distinctions from news organizations.
In addition to her current work as Under Secretary, Otero has experience working in international organizations. In 2006 she worked with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan in the UN Advisors Group on Inclusive Financial Sectors and is now a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.
According to PolicyMic, Otero's experience in human rights, science, technology and climate change "would show that Obama is less interested in drone warfare and national building and more interested in establishing partnerships that promote better standards of democracy."
Otero, as well as Rice, also have something over Sen. Kerry-they're both women and would be crucial in keeping the president's Cabinet as diverse in his second term as it was in his first term. President Obama may also want to show the Latino electorate that he values their massive support during this year's elections and appointing Otero could do just that.
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