Travel: Travel The Secret to Getting Highly Discounted Cruise Tickets

Travel

The Secret to Getting Highly Discounted Cruise Tickets The luxury, the excitement, the open sea ... a cruise can be the perfect vacation. Whether a first-timer, or a seasoned veteran, there are a variety of cruise destination and tailored options that can make the trip perfect for you. But what could make a cruise even better? How about paying 75 percent less than your fellow shipmates? Believe it or not, if you are looking for a cruise vacation at a low price, you do have options. Since 1984, Vacations To Go has helped tens of thousands of people save millions of dollars on discount cruises. Over the years, the company has built up a special relationship with the cruise lines. Through this unique relationship, Vacations To Go gets the best deals, many times before other companies, and sometimes even exclusives. Here's a sample of what the Web site offers: 90-Day Ticker Find the best cruise deals at the 90-Day Ticker. This is a complete listing of last-minute cruises on the world's best cruise lines. The site is easy to use and you can view last-minute deals with information on destination stops, port city, ship type and more. It's not uncommon for users to save more than half what they would normally pay, with some cruises selling for up to 75 percent off. Find a Bargain If you prefer to book further in advance, or if you have a specific cruise line in mind, you can still find discounted prices in the "Find a Bargain" section. There you'll find a treasure trove of early bird discounts, two-for-ones and other cut-rate promotions, on every cruise line in the world. Special discounts apply for military personnel, police officers, teachers, groups and people who are 55-plus. Cruise Specials Cruise lines develop trips and itineraries to appeal to all types of people, and there are more than a thousand cruise destinations around the world. Cruises are perfect for singles, families with kids, people who have special needs, and more. All you have to do to gain valuable access to this information is sign up for Vacations To Go's free weekly newsletter at www.VacationsToGo.com. Once you've found the discounted cruise you want, simply call or e-mail a cruise specialist and you'll enjoy a great vacation while saving a bundle. source a r a

Black Friday: Long lines, short gift lists

Analysts fear robust start to holiday buying could fade once bargain-conscious shoppers get 'doorbuster' deals.

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Black Friday appeared to start strong this year, but analysts warned that the robust start to the critical holiday shopping period could fade by midday.

"[Shoppers] know exactly what they want, where to shop for it and who has the best deals," said Britt Beemer, retail analyst and chairman of America's Research Group.

Based on this trend, the big difference this day from years past is that Beemer doesn't expect people will deviate from their shopping lists.

That's a problem for merchants who depend just as much on the impulse buy as they do on consumers' shopping lists to get them off to a flying start on Black Friday.

Scenes from Black Friday 2008

"I talked to a number of people standing in line in stores today. All had lists. And the lists had no more than three items," Beemer said. "The real question is whether there'll be anyone left [in stores] by midday."

The holiday excitement took a tragic turn at a Wal-Mart in Valley Stream, N.Y.

Police confirmed that a 34 year-old employee died as a result of an incident at the opening of the store in the New York suburbs. Three other people were treated for injuries and a pregnant woman was taken to a hospital for observation.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with their families at this difficult time," Wal-Mart spokeswoman Kelly Cheeseman, said in a statement. She said the male employee died after being taken from the store.

Cheeseman said Wal-Mart was investigating the incident and offered no further details.

Early start

With a weak economy in the background, bargain hunters gathered to snag special deals from anxious merchants who opened stores as early as 12:01 a.m.

Some malls reported higher traffic in the morning hours this year compared to last year.

At Atlanta's Lenox Square mall, the parking lot was 30% full by 5:30 a.m. with an estimated 2,000 shoppers.

"There were lots of bags from Macy's and other retailers indicating shoppers are purchasing more merchandise this year," said Les Morris, spokesman for Simon Property Group. the nation's largest mall operator.

Lori Johnson, mother of three, came to Toys R Us at the Rockaway Townsquare Mall in New Jersey shortly after 5 a.m., straight from her bartending job.

"It's Black Friday. You have to shop on Black Friday," Johnson said, hands filled with shopping bags. "As long as I still have money, I'll last."

Johnson and her sister, Tammy Bohn, purchased video games for 50% off.

The early reports of big crowds looked positive to retailers because the holiday shopping period, which unofficially kicked off Friday, can account for as much as 50% or more of sellers' annual profits and sales. The day is dubbed "Black Friday" because of its importance in determining a store's profitability for the year.

Most merchants have had an extremely difficult sales year as Americans seriously retrenched on their shopping habits in light of a worsening economy.

What's more, a record slump in consumer spending has already forced leading store chains such as Circuit City and Sharper Image into bankruptcy. Given this scenario, the National Retail Federation (NRF) forecast holiday sales to rise just 2.2% this year, which would make it the weakest sales gain in six years.

But despite what looked like a robust start for retailers, NPD Group's chief retail analyst Marshal Cohen said he estimates that the lines of early-bird shoppers seemed 20% less than last year.

Cohen, too, cautioned that the early buying frenzy could peter out by 10 a.m., or once the doorbuster deals that are only offered for a few hours were over.

"Shoppers definitely have a mission this year," Cohen said. "They are serious about finding the best deals. They are very budget conscious, they've done their research and then they'll go home."

Both Beemer and Cohen project a first-ever decline in total holiday sales. Cohen forecasts a 3% drop while Beemer estimates sales for November and December combined will slip 1%.

However, there was pent-up demand for some items. Consumers were flocking to hot deals on electronics. A Best Buy (BBY, Fortune 500) store in Paterson, N.J., had a long line of people waiting from as early as 8 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, according to Chuck O'Donnell, Best Buy's district services manager for New Jersey.

"We're bringing people into the store in waves. There are just so many of them," O'Donnell said, adding that most of the shoppers were eager to pick up deals on laptops, digital cameras and iPods.

O'Donnell said he expected flat-panel TV shoppers to come later in the day.

A busy Black Friday at Wal-Mart

Flatscreen TVs, Blu-Ray players, vacuum cleaners and toys were selling fast at a Wal-Mart (WMT, Fortune 500) store at Fairfax, Va. Industry watchers expect the No. 1 retailer to emerge as a big winner by Christmas because of its value prices.

The hottest items at the Rockingham Park Mall in Salem, N.H., were Nintendo's Wii Fit and Guitar Hero videogames.

Lines snaked around the block at Toys R Us' flagship store in New York's Times Square before its 5 a.m. open.

"I didn't think it would be this [crowded], with the economy the way it was, but I guess Toys 'R' Us was offering the best deals, so this is where everyone came," said shopper Nicole Williams, 29, of New York City at the toy merchant's flagship store in Times Square.

Cold shoppers seek hot toy deals

Gerald Storch, CEO of Toys R Us, said people were in line at 9 p.m. Thursday outside the Times Square store.

"I am excited and optimistic about today and the rest of the holiday season," Storch said.

One interesting trend, Storch pointed out, was that shoppers weren't necessarily buying lower-priced toys. Storch said some of the fastest-selling toys in the first hour after the store opened were the $60 Elmo Live and the $139.99 Spike the Ultra Dinosaur from Fisher-Price.

"I'm not that surprised that parents are spending money on their kids, and they want to buy a good, quality toy," he said. "Parents tell us that they will cut back on themselves, but not on Christmas gifts for their kids."

Every sale crucial for merchants

The J.C. Penney store at the Columbia Mall in Grand Forks, N.D., was packed as early as 4 a.m. Penney's customers were bagging bargains on home products and winter clothing.

Penney announced that its Black Friday sale this year will have "the most compelling Black Friday prices ever offered in the Company's history" with more than 400 categories of products featuring deep discounts.

"Given the current economic environment, [the company] understands the issues facing our customers, and we are committed to offering the season's most affordable gifts," said Ken Hicks, president and chief merchandising officer for J.C. Penney.

However, retail analysts say merchants have to keep the shopping momentum alive not just on Friday but over the weekend as well.

This will be a real challenge. While consumers are cutting back on how much they spend on gifts, the NRF estimates that Black Friday and the Thanksgiving weekend will also likely see fewer Americans hitting stores.

The trade group said about 128 million people will commence their gift buying this Friday, Saturday or Sunday after Thanksgiving, down from 135 million last year.

Some retailers didn't bother waiting until Black Friday to jumpstart their holiday sales. The Nike store at the Woodburn Company Stores in Woodburn, Ore., opened its doors at 8:45 p.m. Thursday.

"Nike had a line that wrapped across the front of the center and past five other stores," said Kristy Kummer, marketing director for Woodburn Company Stores.

Still, Beemer remained unconvinced that retailers will see a decent start to the holiday season. "It will be a disappointment," he said.

source cnn

OBAMA SEEKS TO FILL "LEADERSHIP VACUUM" ON ECONOMIC CRISIS

OBAMA SEEKS TO FILL "LEADERSHIP VACUUM" ON ECONOMIC CRISIS

"Effectively Took Control Of The US Economy - Two Months Before He Takes Office"... Unveils Economic Team: "The Economy Is Likely To Get Worse Before It Gets Better... We'll Have To Make Meaningful Cuts And Sacrifices"... Obama And Senate Dems Prep Massive Stimulus Package...

source Huffington Post

Yosemite in Winter Discover the Top 10 Reasons to Love Yosemite in Winter

Winter Getaways

Yosemite in Winter

Discover the Top 10 Reasons to Love Yosemite in Winter

Yosemite Falls

It's a trip you won't soon forget. With spectacular waterfalls, sky-high sequoias, scenic overlooks and enough hiking trails to sate the most avid of outdoorsmen, Yosemite National Park is one of the shining gems of the national park service.

Established in 1864 as a state park (it became a national park in 1890), this 1,189-square-mile park about the size of Rhode Island includes 263 miles of roads, 800 miles of hiking trails and nearly 240 species of birds, 80 species of mammals and 1,400 species of flowering plants.

The park attracts nearly 3.5 million visitors each year, but the best time of year to see its beauty unfold is during winter. Winter is Yosemite's "secret season," boasting mild temperatures, smaller crowds and lots of snow-filled fun. Lodging is more readily available, and wildlife -- like coyotes, mule deer, raccoons and even the occasional bear -- are easier to spot when the leaves are off the trees.

Here are 10 reasons to love Yosemite in the winter.

1. Photography Walks

Experience the beauty of Yosemite in the company of a professional photographer and guide provided by the Ansel Adams Gallery. Walks range from 90 minutes to two hours and take snap-happy participants along a flat or slightly elevated one-mile route. For more information, call (209) 372-4413.

2. Skiing at Badger Pass Ski Area

With five lifts, well-groomed runs and quick access to the slopes, Badger Pass has been a family favorite ski destination since opening 1935. Eighty-five percent of Badger's slopes are beginner and intermediate level, including several runs perfect for first-time skiers. Kids age 4 to 6 can get a crash course in downhill skiing with the Badger Pups Program. For information, call (209) 372-8430.

3. Chefs' Holidays

This annual culinary series is a favorite of foodies far and wide. Enjoy one of eight savory weekend-long sessions with cooking demonstrations, behind-the-scenes tours, chef receptions, and a five-course gala dinner served by tapered candlelight and paired with complementing wines in The Ahwahnee's majestic dining room. For more information, call (559) 253-5676.

4. Theater at Valley Visitor Center Auditorium

Get a glimpse of Yosemite's history with live theater in the evenings by resident actors, Lee and Connie Stetson. Performances rotate approximately every other month. Tickets are available at any Tour and Activity Desk. For more information, call (209) 372-1240.

5. Snowshoeing

National Park Service naturalists lead snowshoe walks several days a week from the Badger Pass ranger station. There is no rental fee for these walks, but there is a small maintenance fee. For those interested in exploring on their own, snowshoes may be rented from the Yosemite Cross-Country Ski School Center or from the Yosemite Mountaineering Center at Curry Village when conditions permit.

6. Cross-country Skiing

Beginning cross-country skiers find the 25 miles of machine-set track at Badger Pass a great way to start, while 90 additional miles of marked trails leave plenty of room for exploration for advanced skiers. Skiers may rent striding, skating and Telemark equipment at the Yosemite Cross-Country Ski School Center. For more information, call (209) 372-8444.

7. Ice Skating

Curry Village's outdoor skating rink offers guests the pleasure of ice-skating under the shadow of two of Yosemite's most dramatic sites -- Half Dome and Glacier Point. Rental skates are available, as well as a warming hut, cubbies for shoe storage and hot drinks and snacks. For non-skaters, there's a large area right near the rink with a warm fire pit where guests can gather, watch the aspiring Kristi Yamaguchis and sip hot chocolate. For more information, call (209) 372-8341.

8. Indian Cultural Program

Demonstrators interpret the customs of Yosemite American Indians at the Cultural Exhibit located at the Yosemite Museum (next to the Visitors Center), where visitors are educated about Miwok traditions, such as food preparation, obsidian-knapping and basket-weaving. For more information, call (209) 372-0200.

9. Ahwahnee Historic Tours

Take a step back in time through the magnificent halls, great rooms and grounds of The Ahwahnee Hotel. Learn the story behind the architecture, design and the people who influenced the building. For more information, call (801) 559-4884.

10. Fireside Scrabble at The Ahwahnee Hotel

Few things are more relaxing that sitting with a glass of wine and a game of Scrabble near the giant stone fireplace at The Ahwahnee Hotel. After a day of exploring the Valley, there is no better way to take off the winter chill than to socialize with new friends and soak up the historical charm of the hotel's high timbered, great public spaces. For more information, call (801) 559-4884.

General Park Information
Call the visitor information line at (209) 372-1000 or visit www.yosemitepark.com

source travelchannel

Hillary Rodham Clinton accepts the position of secretary of state

November 22, 2008

Clinton Decides to Accept Post at State Dept., Confidants Say

WASHINGTON — Hillary Rodham Clinton has decided to give up her Senate seat and accept the position of secretary of state, making her the public face around the world for the administration of the man who beat her for the Democratic presidential nomination, two confidants said Friday.

The apparent accord between perhaps the two leading figures in the Democratic Party climaxed a week-long drama that riveted the nation’s capital.

Mrs. Clinton came to her decision after additional discussion with President-elect Barack Obama about the nature of her role and his plans for foreign policy, said one of the confidants, who insisted on anonymity to discuss the situation.

Mr. Obama’s office told reporters on Thursday that the nomination is “on track” but this is the first word from the Clinton camp that she has decided.

“She’s ready,” the confidant said, adding that Mrs. Clinton was reassured after talking again with Mr. Obama because their first meeting in Chicago last week “was so general.” The purpose of the follow-up talk, he noted, was not to extract particular concessions but “just getting comfortable” with the idea of working together.

A second Clinton associate confirmed that her camp believes they have a done deal. Senior Obama advisers said Friday morning that the offer had not been formally accepted and no announcement would be made until after Thanksgiving. But they said they were convinced that the nascent alliance was ready to be sealed.

Mrs. Clinton’s spokesman, Philippe Reines, issued a statement Friday afternoon cautioning that the nomination was not final. “We’re still in discussions, which are very much on track,” Mr. Reines said. “Any reports beyond that are premature.”

Mr. Obama and Mrs. Clinton fought the most competitive Democratic nomination battle in modern times, one that polarized their party for months and left bitterness in both camps. But in asking Mrs. Clinton to join his Cabinet, Mr. Obama signaled that he wants to turn a rival into a partner, and she concluded that she could have the most influence by accepting the offer.

The decision followed days of intense vetting and negotiations intended to clear any potential obstacles to her taking the job due to her husband’s global business and philanthropic activities. Lawyers for Mr. Obama and former President Bill Clinton combed through his finances and drew up a set of guidelines for his future activities intended to avoid any appearances of conflict of interest should she take the job.

People close to the vetting said Mr. Clinton turned over the names of 208,000 donors to his foundation and library and agreed to all of the conditions requested by Mr. Obama’s transition team, including restrictions on his future paid speeches and role at his international foundation.

As secretary of state, Mrs. Clinton will have had a powerful platform to travel the world and help repair relations with other countries strained after eight years of President Bush’s policies. But at the same time, she will now have to subordinate her own agenda and ambitions to Mr. Obama’s and sacrifice the independence that comes with a Senate seat and the 18 million votes she collected during their arduous primary battle.

Driving Mrs. Clinton’s deliberations in part, friends said, was a sense of disenchantment with the Senate, where despite her stature she remained low in the ranks of seniority that governs the body. She was particularly upset, they said, at the reception she felt she received when she returned from the campaign trail and sought a more significant leadership role in the expanding Democratic majority.

“Her experience in the Senate with some of her colleagues has not been the easiest time for her," said one longtime friend. “She’s still a very junior senator. She doesn’t have a committee. And she’s had some disappointing times with her colleagues."

In particular, the friend said, Mrs. Clinton was upset when the Senate Democratic leadership rejected the possibility of her heading a special task force with a staff and a mandate to develop legislation expanding health care coverage. The idea of giving her an existing leadership post was also dismissed because the Senate majority leader, Harry Reid of Nevada, did not want to force out any senators currently holding those jobs.

But Mr. Reid wants to come up with some sort of leadership position to recognize Mrs. Clinton’s standing and aides said he was confident he could arrive at something with sufficient muscle to appeal to her. He told a closed-door meeting of the Senate Democratic caucus on Tuesday that he was looking for a way to create a new leadership role for her, two people in the room said.

Mrs. Clinton would bring a distinctive background to the State Department. As first lady, she traveled the world for eight years, visiting more than 80 countries, not only meeting with foreign leaders but also villages, clinics and other remote areas that rarely get on a president’s itinerary. Mr. Obama during the primaries belittled that experience as little more than having tea and pointed to schedules showing many ceremonial events on those trips.

But more than any first lady before her, Mrs. Clinton delved deep into particular policy issues in the international arena, from women’s rights to microlending to alleviate poverty. As a senator for the last eight years, she served on the Armed Services Committee and continued her interest in foreign affairs.

She and Mr. Obama agree on the broad outlines of a new foreign policy for the post-Bush era, but they disagreed sharply in several crucial areas, particularly over how to deal with Iran and Pakistan. She characterized Mr. Obama as naïve in his view of those two countries, while he criticized her judgment for going along with Mr. Bush on the war in Iraq at first.

source new york times

Why Obama Wants Hillary for His 'Team of Rivals'

Thursday, Nov. 20, 2008

Why Obama Wants Hillary for His 'Team of Rivals'

By Karen Tumulty and Massimo Calabresi

To succeed at modern diplomacy, it helps to take the long view. As word trickled out that President-elect Barack Obama was considering Hillary Clinton for Secretary of State, Clinton was on the phone with the President of Pakistan. Asif Ali Zardari was calling with a long-overdue thank-you. Back in 1998, when Zardari's late wife Benazir Bhutto was powerless and out of favor with the United States, the then First Lady had received her at the White House, over the objections of both the State Department and the National Security Council. Bhutto eventually regained her influence, and before her assassination last December, became an important U.S. ally. But she had never forgotten that act of graciousness, Zardari told Clinton on Nov. 14. "To be treated with such respect was very important."

As he wrapped up his second week as President-elect, it was clear that Obama was taking the long view in both diplomacy and politics. How else to explain the fact that he had all but offered the most prestigious job in his Cabinet to a woman whose foreign policy experience he once dismissed as consisting of having tea with ambassadors? Or that Clinton might accept an offer from a man whose national-security credentials, she once said, began and ended with "a speech he made in 2002"? Nowhere did Obama and Clinton attack each other more brutally last spring than on the question of who was best equipped to handle international relations in a dangerous world. That they could be on the brink of becoming partners in that endeavor is the most remarkable evidence yet that Obama is serious about his declared intention to follow another Illinois President's model in assembling a "team of rivals" to run his government, in what could be a sharp contrast with the past 40 years of American Presidents. "I've been spending a lot of time reading Lincoln," Obama told Steve Kroft on 60 Minutes. "There is a wisdom there and a humility about his approach to government, even before he was President, that I just find very helpful." (See pictures from Voting Day).

And a shrewdness as well. The surprising proffer to Clinton came the same week that Obama sat down with John McCain in Chicago and helped engineer a commutation for Senator Joe Lieberman, who had backed McCain in the election and faced possibly being stripped of his committee chairmanship. The general amnesty campaign, part of a promise to change the way Washington works, impressed some longtime partisans. "It's brilliant," says a senior Republican Party official. "My hat is totally off to the guy." Viewed more cynically, bringing Clinton into the tent could co-opt a potential adversary in 2012 and put a leash on her globetrotting husband, who has a propensity for foreign policy freelancing. Which raises a question: Would this move, if it happens, be just the first manifestation of that new kind of politics that Obama was promising in his presidential campaign? Or proof that he understands the oldest kind all too well? (See pictures of Barack Obama's family tree.)

However smart it might ultimately prove to be, the Clinton offer is likely to induce grumbling among some Obama loyalists. The job Obama dangled in front of Clinton has excited a frenzy of speculation and leaking — exactly the kind of thing the no-drama Obama operation did not tolerate during the presidential campaign. And coming amid word that Obama is eyeing an array of former Clinton officials — including former Deputy Attorney General Eric Holder for the top job at Justice — even Democrats began to ask how much change Obama really represents. "What were the last two years all about?" asks one exasperated party strategist. "The restoration of the Clintons?"

See pictures of Election '08 in Birmingham and Selma.

But as with everything involving the Clintons, restoration is complicated. Negotiating Bill Clinton's portfolio has been one sticking point. The conundrum was on display on Nov. 16 even as Bill hailed his wife's potential to be "really great as a Secretary of State." He made that comment while giving a paid speech for the National Bank of Kuwait, which is the kind of thing for which he earned more than $10 million last year alone. Beyond his six-figure speaking fees, there are also a myriad of undisclosed contributions to the former President's far-flung charitable endeavors and to his presidential library, many of which have come from foreign interests that his wife would be dealing with as Secretary of State.

Team Clinton dismissed suggestions that there was anything in his donor files that could get in the way of her confirmation. As Bill told the Chronicle of Philanthropy in September, "The only reason I didn't want to [disclose] the library donors is that no previous President had. I suppose if Hillary were elected President, or maybe even if she had been nominated, we would have had to go back to the donors and at least disclose everyone that didn't object to it. But I wouldn't have any objection to it." (See pictures of Clinton and Obama battling in Pennsylvania.)

In negotiations with the Obama transition team, the Wall Street Journal first reported, the Clintons have offered to disclose the identities of all future donors to Bill's charitable activities, as well as givers of major past contributions. (What constitutes "major" is still under discussion, though a source involved in the conversation tells TIME that the figure is likely to be $1 million or more.) Trickier to manage is the role the former President would play going forward. Should his wife become the country's top diplomat, President No. 42 would probably be required to get clearance from both the White House counsel's office and the State Department's ethics boss before accepting future donations or giving paid speeches. (See pictures of Hillary Clinton meeting Michelle Obama.)

But just as worrisome as any financial arrangements would be Bill Clinton's ongoing relationships with world leaders and his predilection for offering advice — as he did in 2006, when Dubai sought help in a controversial attempt to acquire six terminals in U.S. ports. (Hillary, a leader in the effort to block the deal that she called an "unacceptable risk" to national security, later said she was unaware that Bill had been coaching the other side.) Ex-Presidents always have that potential; Jimmy Carter has complicated life for every President since he left office. But should Hillary get the job, it might prove difficult to distinguish whether her husband was speaking on the Obama Administration's behalf.

What's in it for Hillary? Her allies point out that the move would not be without its negatives. Friends like New York Congresswoman Louise Slaughter are counseling her not to take the job. They say she would be giving up important work in the Senate, particularly on the health-care-reform cause that is her passion. Others warn that her job description at Foggy Bottom would mean she'd lose her own voice. Against that, enthusiasts for the move point out, Clinton is smart, a fast and thorough study, and tough as nails. And with Obama focused on the economy, she could have a big role in repairing the U.S.'s image overseas. Says an Obama adviser who has not always been a Clinton fan: "She's a great team player."

And the harder truth is that Clinton's options as a Senator are limited, at least in the immediate future. In that chamber, she is just one of many presidential also-rans and a relatively junior member of an institution where power and advancement require seniority. Shortly after the election, she lobbied Health Committee chairman Edward Kennedy and majority leader Harry Reid to create a health-reform subcommittee for her to chair and was turned down. Her consolation prize — to head one of three ad hoc task forces that Kennedy has created — would not allow her to put much of a stamp of her own on any final legislation that emerges. And if there's anything a First Lady who became a Senator would understand, it's that opportunities don't always come to those who wait for them.

— With reporting by James Carney, Michael Duffy and Michael Weisskopf / Washington

See pictures from the last days of Hillary's campaign.

Budget Hawaii Discover the Best Deals on Hawaii's Islands

Beach Vacations

Budget Hawaii

Discover the Best Deals on Hawaii's Islands

Hawaii can be a pricey vacation proposition, but once you've arrived at this tropical paradise, there are countless free or low-cost activities, as well as budget-friendly accommodation options. Visit eCouponsHawaii.com before you go on vacation -- it's possible to sniff out some valuable savings. The Hawaii Entertainment Book ($9.98 for the 2008 edition) also has tons of discounts for everything from top-tier luaus to fine dining and entertainment. Additionally, AAA members should always inquire about special rates and benefits.

Here's an island-by-island guide on how to have big thrills in Hawaii without breaking the bank.

Hawaii's Big Island
The largest Hawaiian island and Hawaii's most volcanically active, the Big Island appeals to guests with its more than 80 beaches, scenic drives, colorful shopping bazaars, and world-class water activities. To make the most of their time, many tourists split their time between the Hilo side of the island and the Kona side of the island -- driving times need to be considered due to the island's sprawling geography.

* If you like to hike, $10 per car will buy you access to visit Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Don't miss Crater Rim Drive, Chain of Craters Road and, if time allows, hike Kilauea Iki, which shows off rainforests and a volcano crater floor.
* Take to the tropical waters and snorkel in Honaunau Bay (adjacent to Pu'uhonau o Honaunau Park). Save money by bringing your own snorkel gear or swing by Wal-Mart in Kailua-Kona for some reasonably priced equipment.
* Visit the pretty black-sand beaches of Punaluu and Kehena. Punaluu Beach is located off Highway 11 on the southern shore in between Kona and Hilo. Kehena Beach can be found off Highway 137 near Puna along the Eastern shore.
* The Shops at Mauna Lanioffer free shows every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday evenings at 7:00 and 8:00 p.m.
* The Queens Marketplace in Waikoloa has several free or low-cost Hawaiian craft-making classes as well as free traditional Hawaiian entertainment.

Accommodations Deals:
Outrigger Keauhou Beach Resort
Rates start at $149

Kauai
Probably the most scenic of the Hawaiian islands, Kauai is stunningly beautiful with its rugged green cliffs of the Na Pali coast, uncrowded beaches and Waimea Canyon. Its laid-back vibe embodies Hawaii's "hang loose" lifestyle.

* Get ready for romance by packing a bottle of wine, some nibblies and watching the sunset from Princeville with the Bali Hai peak in the background. Another favorite spot is Poipu Beach.
* Pack your hiking shoes and explore the Canyon Trail at Kokee State Park. The trail takes you into Waimea Canyon, where you're rewarded with 360-degree views of the canyon.
* Kauai is known for its waterfalls, and Wailua Falls is among the best. Find it on the east side of the island near Lihue.
* Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge offers a taste of history and a stunning view of the Pacific all for just a few bucks. Plus, it's one of best places to watch humpback whales as they migrate from Alaska.

Accommodation Deals:
The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas
Rates start at $299

Oahu
Those seeking a more action-packed island experience flock to Oahu. Since it has the largest airport in Hawaii, it's the perfect starting point for exploring these Pacific gems.

* Pick up a few surfing tips at Waikiki Beach. The Outrigger Hotel Waikiki offers 20-minute surfing lessons. Lessons cost $30 per person.
* It's a bit touristy, but the nightly hula dance at The Halekulani Hotel's outdoor performance space is free. Take in magnificent views of Diamond Head with a house-made mai tai in hand.
* Learn about Waikiki's history with free guided walking tours. Offered by the Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association, the two-hour Queen's Tour takes you around Kapi'olani Park and Queen's Beach, while the Kalia Tour traces the origins of Waikiki, and the home of Olympian swimmer and surfer Duke Kahanamoku.
* Explore Honolulu's Chinatown. Amid the mishmash of storefronts is Maunakea Street, where elderly women string garlands of colorful leis in the doorways.

Accommodation Deals:
JW Marriott Ihilana Resort at Ko'Olina
Rates start at $320

Molokai
Active travelers and extreme sports enthusiasts love the rugged terrain of Molokai. Breathtaking rural beauty, rainforests and deserted beaches are the draw -- don't expect a lot of luxury or modern amenities. Molokai is often referred to as the "Most Hawaiian Island" because it has the largest percentage of native Hawaiian residents in the state.

* Mountain biking is the best way to explore the forests, pastures and shores of this hilly island. Bike paths cover 120 miles of land, and many are well-suited for beginners. Rent a bike from Molokai Adventures for about $30 a day.
* Learn about Hawaiian music every Friday evening. Island elders gather at Hotel Molokai's Oceanside Restaurant to perform a free guitar and ukulele jam session of traditional songs.
* Expand your cultural awareness by visiting an ancient Hawaiian heiau (temple).
* From December to April, find a quiet shoreline spot and watch for humpback whales.

Accommodation Deals:
Hale Malu Guesthouse
Rates for The Lookout Cottage start at $80 per night.

Lanai
Just eight miles from Maui, pristine and unspoiled Lanai is a pure oasis of calm. It's a bit trickier to reach this island as there are no direct flights from the mainland, but once there, the tropical surroundings are the ideal backdrop for endless water activities in Hulopoe Bay.

* From November through mid-May, the 45-minute ferry from Maui's Lahaina to Lanai's Manele Harbor is the cheapest whale-watching excursion out there. The ride costs $25 per person.
* Try your hand at sporting clays at Lanai Pine Sporting Clays, one of the country's best facilities, where you can also use the 12-station archery range and six-station air-rifle gallery.
* Hunt for treasures or examine historic petroglyphs at Shipwreck Beach.
* Explore the Garden of the Gods, an intriguing rock formation reminiscent of a lunar landscape.

Accommodation Deals:
Hotel Lanai
Rates start at $159

Maui
Best known for its laid-back luxury, the second largest island in the Hawaiian chain is a popular destination for celebrities as well as discriminating travelers.

* Every Friday night the Maui Prince Hotel in Makena brings in a local astronomer and sets up high-powered telescopes on the beachfront terrace for astronomy night, which costs $20.
* One of Maui's top tourist attractions, The Road to Hana is famous for its zigzagging twists and turns (600 hairpin curves in 52 miles and 54 one-lane bridges) and panoramic vistas. The road offers some of the best photo-ops on the island.
* Kaihalulu, popularly known as Red Sand Beach, is an extremely isolated, stunningly colored beach with crystal clear water that attracts nude sunbathers and snorkelers. Tricky to find, look for a trailhead next to the Community Center on Ua Kea Road in Hana, right before the entrance to the Hotel Hana Maui Plantation Cottages.* Every Saturday morning, shopaholics can get a taste of local culture at The Maui Swap Meet for a fraction of the tourist shop prices. Locals hawk authentic island wares like aloha shirts, fresh fruits, breads and tropical flowers. Located on South Pu'unene Avenue, next to the Kahului Post Office.

Accommodation Deals:
Maui Sheraton
Rates start at $199

source travelchannel

YAHOO CEO Yang to Step Down After Microsoft, Google Deals Fail

Yang to Step Down After Microsoft, Google Deals Fail (Update1)

Nov. 17 (Bloomberg) -- Yahoo! Inc. Chief Executive Officer Jerry Yang will step down, following his failure to negotiate a takeover by Microsoft Corp. and broker an online advertising agreement with Google Inc.

Yahoo is searching for a new CEO, the company said today in a statement. Yang, 40, will continue to serve on the board. He took the top job at the 13-year-old Internet company in June 2007, promising to win back users and advertisers lost to market leader Google.

The move signals that the board may seek a new offer from Microsoft, which bid $47.5 billion for Yahoo this year. Shareholders criticized Yang and fellow co-founder David Filo for seeking a higher price while Yahoo's sales growth and profits continued to drop. The stock has lost about 60 percent since Yang took over.

Yahoo investors withheld one third of their votes for Yang's re-election to the board in August. He sidestepped a proxy fight with Carl Icahn, agreeing to give the billionaire investor three slots on the board. Yahoo's net sales growth dwindled to 3 percent last quarter from 14 percent a year earlier. Profit has dropped in 10 of the past 11 quarters.

Yahoo, based in Sunnyvale, California, fell 19 cents to $10.63 at 4 p.m. New York time in Nasdaq Stock Market trading.

Google abandoned an agreement to sell ads alongside Yahoo's search results on Nov. 5 after U.S. regulators threatened a lawsuit to block the partnership, saying it would give Google too much power. Yang had counted on the deal to generate as much as $450 million in operating cash flow in the first year.

Full Confidence

Yahoo Chairman Roy Bostock said he had full confidence in Yang after the Google deal fell through. Yang put together the right strategic plan and made significant progress, Bostock said in a Nov. 5 statement.

Yang's plan to reverse Yahoo's slowing sales growth and profit declines was hampered by the global economic crisis, which caused advertisers to cut back on Internet spending. Yahoo announced plans in October to cut at least 1,500 jobs and reduce the number of contractors as finance, travel, retail and automotive advertisers scaled back their spending.

source Bloomberg

CLINTON AIDES COMFORTABLE BILL WON'T KILL HILLARY'S CHANCES

CLINTON AIDES COMFORTABLE
BILL WON'T KILL HILLARY'S CHANCES

"If They Can Limit [The Press Fallout] Around Bill, She'll Get The Appointment"... Obama Team's "Exasperation With The Clinton Camp" For Difficulty Getting Clean Vet On Bill's "Many Entanglements"...

source Huffington Post

Orlando on the cheap

• Story Highlights
• Consider the tickets you're really likely to use before paying for upgrades
  
• Rent a condo or a house with friends and split the cost
  
• Every one-day admission at SeaWorld gets you a second day free
  

-- I hate saying no.

A young visitor watches the parade at Walt Disney World.

It's bad enough to say no to the kids all the time at home, much less on vacation. (No, you can't have that $40 sweatshirt. No you can't order that $20 steak...) Vacation, after all, is when we all want to indulge the kids and ourselves. But with the economy the way it is, I think we're all going to be saying no more often, until we figure out better ways to stretch those vacation bucks.

And we can -- even in Orlando, that one vacation destination many of us are determined not to give up despite the plummeting Dow. Just ask the experts, who include local moms who visit often. Come before your child turns three and they get in free. "People say they can't appreciate it but they really do," says Orlando mom Amanda Keeler, who has happily visited with her 2-year-old.

Come low season when the hotels are cheaper (and it won't be as crowded or hot), suggests Mary Waring, creator of www.mousesavers.com, a Web site packed with money-saving tips. Whatever your kids' ages, consider what kind of tickets you really need, adds Waring. Do you really need to pay $50 more for a Disney World park hopper ticket when chances are you and the kids will be too pooped to hit more than one park anyway? On the other hand, you can tack on extra days -- and visit more parks -- to your ticket for a negligible amount. The difference between a five-day and seven-day ticket is less than $5.

Let's not forget the deals at other Orlando attractions either. Adults can now pay the child's price ($59.95) at SeaWorld where every one-day admission gets you a second day free. Come during the holiday season when SeaWorld's Wild Arctic becomes Santa Town and you and the kids can visit the North Pole on the "Polar Express."

Universal Orlando, meanwhile, is offering vacation packages that allow kids free theme park entrance as well as Internet deals that get you an unlimited seven-day ticket to Universal's two parks for under $100 -- less than a one-day Disney park hopper ticket. Book at a Universal Orlando hotel and your room key gets you front-of-the-line access too.

Scour the Web for other coupons; savvy Orlando aficionados tell me to start with www.orlandoinfo.com where the free Orlando Magicard secures discounts on everything from food to shopping to entertainment. Opt to pre-buy souvenirs (you can find plenty of those trading pins on eBay) or head to Orlando's ever-growing outlet malls for T-shirts and baseball caps.

Don't Miss

• In Depth: Taking the Kids

Rather than a hotel, Miami mom Michelle Revuelta suggests renting a condo or a house with friends, splitting the costs. Agencies like www.discovervacationhomes.com, a consortium of professionally managed vacation homes and condos headquartered in Orlando, tout three-bedroom homes with pools starting at just $120 a night. Condos are considerably less.

Ready to be slimed? Between the water playgrounds, the Nickelodeon shows and the characters, kids staying at the Nick Hotel will have so much to do you might skip the parks entirely one day. If you are going, the complimentary shuttles will save you parking fees. (Two-bedroom suites with kitchenettes start at $169 at the Nick Hotel. Check out the packages that include a $50 food credit per day.)

Come next year on your child's birthday (or yours) and get a free ticket to Disney World on the special day. (No worries if you've purchased multi-day passes. You can get a voucher to use for Disney merchandise. Register at www.disneyparks.com.) Did you know that you also get free desserts at many park restaurants on your birthday?

Families who plan to spend their entire time at Walt Disney World can save significantly by not getting a rental car because Disney provides complimentary airport transfers and transportation within the resort. "We've been to WDW about 30 times and have only rented a car twice," says Erin Foster. The Scarsdale, New York, mom has been to Orlando more than 24 times with her three kids in the last 10 years and has been a member of Disney World's Mom's Panel dispensing advice on all things Mouse. For more money-saving tips from parents who have been there, also check out www.disboards.com.

And remember even the least expensive Disney hotels -- $82 a night, sometimes even less -- boast terrific pool complexes and access to free Disney transportation. "The rooms are basic but the pools are awesome and my daughter loved it," said Amanda Keeler, who stayed at Disney's All-Star Music Resort with her mom and toddler. Besides, you're not going to be spending much time in your room, she added.

Nor do you want to waste money on pricey meals the kids won't eat. Stash a small, soft-sided cooler on the bottom of the stroller. "The food is a little entertainment while we're waiting in line," offers Jennifer Rey, who also lives in Orlando and frequently takes her two young kids to the parks. She figures she easily saves $30 on lunch.

Did you know you can refill water bottles at every counter restaurant in the parks? You'll not only save $2.50 on every bottle of water you don't buy, but you'll be helping the environment. Other local parents told me they even bring along sweet treats so the kids won't nag them for those overpriced, oversized lollipops at the parks.

Bring your own stroller too. That will save you $15 or more a day in rentals, says Orlando mom Rona Gindin, who has visited the parks so many times with her kids she ultimately wrote the "Little Black Book of Walt Disney World: The Essential Guide to All the Magic." Her other tip: Seek out free attractions, like Downtown Disney, with its water splash pads, giant Lego Imagination Center store where the kids are invited to play, and plenty more.

My favorite: The Boardwalk, where you can get a pizza for dinner, an ice cream or a beer and watch the magicians and other street performers for free. The teens will like the vibe on Universal Orlando's City Walk, which is located between the two parks.

See you there. I'll be the one holding all the refilled water bottles!

source cnn

'Quantum of Solace': James Bond blasts to No. 1 at the box office

Susie Allnutt / Sony Pictures Entertainment

Bravo, Bond! Daniel Craig stars in "Quantum of Solace," which performed even better than expected this weekend at the box office.

E-mail Picture

The film beats expectations, earning $70.4 million. 'Madagascar' and 'Role Models' hold their own too on an all-around good weekend for movies.

As countless villains have learned, there is just no stopping James Bond -- especially when he's mad.

"Quantum of Solace," a tale of the secret agent's quest to avenge the death of the woman he loved, blasted out $70.4 million in ticket sales this weekend. It was the biggest opening for a Bond film ever and surpassed the high expectations set for the film.

Though Bond was clearly the irresistible force at ticket booths, it was a great all-around weekend for Hollywood as two very different comedies, the animated "Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa," and raunchy "Role Models" slipped little from the previous week.

For all releases, the three-day sum is expected to total almost $143 million, according to box-office tracker Media by Numbers. That's up 54% from the same weekend last year and on pace with last week.

"People are finding solace at the movies literally and figuratively," said Paul Dergarabedian, Media by Numbers president. "We are in store for a very nice run here at the box office."

Rounding out the top 12 in order were "High School Musical 3: Senior Year," "Changeling," "Zack and Miri Make a Porno," "Soul Men," "The Secret Life of Bees," "Saw V," "The Haunting of Mary Hartley," "Eagle Eye" and "Beverly Hills Chihuahua."

Vincent is a Times staff writer.

More Getty Images

Elderly Men Get Free Viagra In Mexico City

112,000 Elderly Men Can Qualify Within City Limits

MEXICO CITY -- Mexico City is giving out free Viagra and other impotence drugs to men 70 and older.Mayor Marcelo Ebrard said the city is implementing the plan because sexuality "has a lot to do with quality of life and our happiness."City Health Secretary Armando Ahued said Thursday that the government will start handing out doses of one or two Viagra, Levitra or Cialis pills on Dec. 1.They will be distributed at three centers that specialize in sexual health for the elderly. The men will receive medical examinations before receiving the pills.Ahued said an estimated 112,000 men 70 or older live in the Federal District, which has a population of 8.7 million.Some 20 million people live in the greater Mexico City area.

source The Associated Press

Schwarzenegger backs Clinton for State job

Schwarzenegger backs Clinton for State job

Schwarzenegger likes the idea of Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State.

(CNN) – California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger weighed in on the possibility of Hillary Clinton becoming President-elect Barack Obama's Secretary State, praising the potential choice as a "great move."

"I think she is a very very bright woman and very experienced. I think this could be a great move," Schwarzenegger told ABC's George Stephanopoulos in an interview set to air Sunday.

But Schwarzenegger, a Republican, also suggested Obama must be sure he can work with his former primary rival before he officially offers her the position.

"When it comes to those kinds of positions, what is equally as important, and I know with my cabinet, what is equally as important as who is qualified, is who can you work with. Who can you sit down with and really get in there and start becoming a partner [with], that sees things the way you see it," he said.

"And also that you maybe want to learn from that person and admire that person so much that you want to pick up some pointers and learn from that person, so that they together can go out and do this," Schwarzenegger also said.

Sources told CNN Friday Obama met with Clinton in Chicago Thursday to gauge the New York senator's interest in the top diplomatic post. Sources also told CNN Obama is considering New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson for the position.

Clinton would not comment on the speculation Friday.

source CNN

LOS ANGELES : Double-decker buses show L.A. from on high

LOS ANGELES

Double-decker buses show L.A. from on high

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Double-decker tour buses in Los Angeles

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$99 Las Vegas Bus Tour

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Megabus departs from Los Angeles

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San Francisco by Megabus

Double-decker buses in L.A.? Righto! The sightseeing tours wind through popular neighborhoods. Be sure to look out for low-hanging tree branches.

Topless yet tasteful and as British as troubled teeth, L.A.'s new double-decker buses may dramatically change the way tourists get around, how they spend their travel dollars and the very look of Southern California's streets.

Introduced a year ago and recently expanded, the 16 double-deckers serve two separate circuits -- one looping through Hollywood, Beverly Hills, the Grove and Melrose, the other spanning downtown. By spring, hopes to add a third circuit, serving Venice and Santa Monica.

A significant wager in shaky times, the buses are a gambit by L.A.'s biggest tour operator to broaden the places tourists can conveniently roam.

"The double-decker buses aren't the silver bullet," says Elizabeth Currid, assistant professor at USC's School of Policy, Planning and Development. "But great cities are great cities because of all the little things adding up. The cumulative effect of all the little things actually adds up to something important."

For tourists and locals shepherding their guests about town, the old British buses with the open tops are a sun-splashed, whimsical alternative to the typical shuttle or bus. The double-deckers' hop-on/hop-off feature lets riders depart to shop or dine along the route, then catch the next bus that comes along at 30- to 45-minute intervals.

Perfect, no. On a recent Thursday, visitors grumbled at the wait between buses at the Grove, and riders are virtually nonexistent on the just-opened downtown loop. And a 24-hour pass costs $30, too expensive to use for commuting. But the buses seem to be catnip to tourists looking for a pleasant way to see Hollywood, Beverly Hills and Melrose while absorbing L.A.'s famous sunshine.

"In a few hours, it lets you cover a lot of ground," said Gabriela Gogoi, 23, visiting from Romania, and stopping off at the Grove during the Hollywood loop, which has consistently full loads.

Sarah Zahradnik of Australia found the bus to be an excellent way to see Melrose Avenue, Paramount Studios and the sights along Hollywood Boulevard.

"I wouldn't pay any more than that [$30]," she said. "But it's a lot of fun."

By now, you've probably spotted one of the double-deckers, in bright red industrial enamel, straight out of an Austin Powers movie. Generally older and showing the wear and tear of London streets, they amble along in front of City Hall, or down Broadway, past the vintage palaces where Bob Hope, Duke Ellington and the Marx Brothers entertained audiences long ago. They rumble through the Fashion District, then loop around the Staples area's new L.A. Live, the burgeoning next star for Southland tourism.

"You go to foreign countries, you have hop-on/hop-off buses," says City Council member Tom LaBonge, who first proposed the program after a trip to Berlin. "You go to New York or Chicago, and you have hop-on/hop-off. We needed it here too."

LaBonge approached Starline Tours President Vahid Sapir about adding the buses, and Sapir tracked down some double-deckers taken out of service in Britain.

Their first stop in California was at a bus barn in very un-British Vernon, where the passenger doors were switched to the opposite side to suit American traffic flows. Seats in the buses, most at least 25 years old, were reupholstered. Trickiest of all: cutting off the roofs to open the ceiling to the California sky.

Eventually, Sapir hopes to increase the size of the fleet to 20, with five buses circling downtown, and the rest on the Hollywood route.

"We did have double-decker buses running down Wilshire in the 1970s," LaBonge recalls. "But they weren't open air like these."

In fact, L.A. has a rich history of double-decker buses. The first generation debuted in the 1920s and served local riders and visitors for 25 years. During their heyday, as many as 70 of the double-deckers operated in Los Angeles. The fare: 10 cents.

Today, running a tour service of vintage buses over a 40-mile area is fraught with logistical and economic restrictions. Fuel costs more. Schedules are tricky to keep in inscrutable traffic. Trees need trimming. (Prospective top-deck riders, be forewarned: Yes, that's a ficus branch headed for your forehead.)

But Sapir has been at this sort of thing awhile -- his career a rags-to-riches story worthy of . . . well, Hollywood itself. Born in Iran, he came to Los Angeles in 1963 to study engineering and wound up buying a limo service and developing his business into L.A.'s biggest tour line, with 250 employees and 130 buses running 25 types of tours.

His latest experiment, the downtown double-decker loop, has drawn only a smattering of riders since opening in September. Sapir projects that the downtown leg will eventually carry 500 to 600 customers a day. On Oct. 22, he spent the evening squiring around 150 of the city's hotel concierges to win them over to the route as a tourist draw.

In a couple of test rides, the buses proved to be a wobbly, lumbering blast. Even those familiar with much of the city's history are bound to learn something from the narrated tour that includes the water-works shenanigans of William Mulholland or the significance of Santee Alley to the local economy.

The double-decker routes do not overlap. Those wishing to make the jump from the downtown loop to Hollywood have to take a connecting 20-person shuttle that runs between the two loops every 90 minutes. The Universal Studios leg of the Starline tours is too steep for the double-deckers, so modern coach buses are used for that. But the 24-hour pass is good for that as well.

Meanwhile, urbanologists such as Currid see the buses as a milestone. "We understand cities because of the icons that are associated with them," the USC professor says. "Los Angeles' effort to bring these buses into the downtown further reaffirms its position as a major global city."

Starline Tours, (800) 959-3131, www.starlinetours.com

ALL EYES ON THE ECONOMY

ALL EYES ON THE ECONOMY

World Leaders Meet On Global Financial Crisis... WATCH Obama's First Weekly Video Address: Urges Congress To Move On Economic Plan...

source: Huffington Post

Fun Ride :-)

Obama, Hillary Clinton Eyed for Secretary of State: NBC

Obama, Clinton meet to talk about her future

• Story Highlights
• President-elect Obama, Sen. Hillary Clinton met in Chicago, sources say
  
• Transition team says Obama will meet Sen. John McCain on Monday
  
• Clinton has been mentioned for secretary of state spot, sources say
  
• Obama trying to create a diverse Cabinet that works as a team
  

President-elect Barack Obama met with his former rival Sen. Hillary Clinton to see if she would be interested in a role in his administration, two sources told CNN Friday.

Obama also will meet with the man he defeated in the general election, Republican Sen. John McCain, on Monday, the Obama transition team announced Friday.

Clinton went to the meeting because "she knew Obama wanted to talk about whether she would have a role in the administration," one of the sources knowledgeable about the meeting said.

Obama and Clinton met in Chicago, Illinois, at the request of the president-elect, the sources told CNN.

The two sources said Clinton was surprised to hear the rumors about the secretary of state position. The sources could not confirm that the two discussed the nation's top diplomatic position or that it was offered.

This is not the first time Clinton has been rumored to be under consideration for a position on Obama's team.

The New York senator was said to be on Obama's short list of possible vice presidential picks this summer, but Obama ended up picking Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware.

That source said Clinton thought the speculation that she would be tapped to be Obama's secretary of state was "silly" because of the earlier buzz about her becoming Obama's running mate.

A spokesman for the former presidential candidate and first lady, Philippe Reines, said "any speculation about Cabinet or other administration appointments is really for President-elect Obama's transition team to address."

On Monday night, while walking into an awards ceremony in New York, Clinton was asked if she would consider taking a post in the Obama administration.

"I am happy being a senator from New York. I love this state and this city," she said. "I am looking at the long list of things I have to catch up on and do.

"But I want to be a good partner and I want to do everything I can to make sure his agenda is going to be successful." Watch whether Clinton would join Obama's team »

Other names that have been mentioned for the top diplomatic role include Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts, the Democrats presidential nominee in 2004, and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, a former U.S. ambassador to the U.N. and energy secretary in the Clinton administration.

Latino groups are championing Richardson for the top State Department slot. If picked, Richardson would be the nation's first Latino secretary of state.

A source close to transition team tells CNN that Obama is also trying to build a diverse Cabinet that includes women and minorities and that works as a team.

Obama's transition team is expected to announce some high-level staff positions on Friday.

Obama campaign spokesman Robert Gibbs is widely expected to be named White House press secretary, and Obama chief strategist David Axelrod is expected to be picked as a White House senior adviser.

source CNN