Ever-money-woe-having Hillary Clinton will not make the leaps and bounds in paying off her debt that one might expect from her promotion to all-important Secretary of State. Under some pesky constitutional provision, the Emoluments Clause, members of Congress cannot assume a government post if the salary for that post was raised during their current term. In order that she be eligible for SOS, the House and Senate reverted the position's pay to its rate at the time Clinton began her second term, so she'll receive $4,700 less than Condi did. (Clinton will still get an increase in pay, $174,000 from $169,300, but not enough to fill those empty coffers.)

On the other end of the money train is once-SOS-hopeful Gov. Bill Richardson, who stands to rake it in—save any strange gubernatorial provisions, of course. As commerce secretary he'll make $175,000 compared to his measly governor's salary of $110,000, an increase of $65,000.

Moneywise, the commerce position is more lucrative than the SOS position, at least for Clinton. Perhaps if Richardson shares the wealth, Clinton will share the fame and let them switch places.