About the same time that President-elect Barack Obama was talking up the virtues of his former Republican rival, Senator John McCain, at a dinner last night, his most formidable rival in the Democratic Primary, Senator Hillary Clinton, was getting smacked down on Oprah.

Vice President-elect Joe Biden's wife let it slip that her husband was given a choice of secretary of state or VP.

It was confirmation of what had already been reported; Clinton wasn't the first choice for either of those two posts.

Now Republican Senator John Cornyn of Texas will block Clinton from being sworn in today by preventing a unanimous Senate vote.

Cornyn wants more disclosure and transparency of former President Bill Clinton's donations to his foundation and his library. Under the pretense of concerns about conflicts of interest and possible security compromises, stalwart conservatives are still pulling at the Clinton's coat threads hoping to find something salacious hidden in the linings.

Republicans are trying hard to tone down the kind of partisan rhetoric that got them into the position that they're in. Aside from the usual conservative mouthpieces, many Republican's have been artful at avoiding Obama with their barbs.

Even Newt Gingrich has been patting Obama on the head.

But Republicans know where to dig: Speaker Pelosi, Senator Harry Reid, and, of course, the Clintons.

Clinton will most likely make it through the process, but not without a couple of last- minute knocks. And, no doubt, Clinton can handle her detractors. She knows some people will not be happy no matter what she provides about her husband's business matters, which is essentially what she told Senator Richard Lugar in so many words when he brought up her husband's business ties last week.

Former President Clinton has provided more information on donors to his foundation than any former president has provided on their projects, Representative Anthony Weiner told the Daily Post.

Cornyn's "no" vote will force a roll call in the House and will delay Clinton's appointment by a few days.

But it won't stop it. And even if it did, it won't stop her.