Obama's vanquished opponent for the Democratic nomination, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton received 39 percent of the vote in Utah's presidential primary. She later visited the state on Obama's behalf, drawing a sizeable crowd to an event in West Valley City.

The 61-year-old U.S. senator from New York and wife of former President Bill Clinton enjoys a prominent international profile and traveled extensively in an official, albeit largely ceremonial, capacity as First Lady. She was partiuclarly involved in international women's rights issues.

She has also been engaged in international affairs as a member of the Senate, as a member of the Senate Armed Services committee and sponosor of legislation increasing the U.S. commitment to combatting the global AIDS epidemic and expanding education assistance in developing nations.

She voted to authorize the war in Iraq and clashed with Obama on key national security issues during their campaign, including supporting a continued embargo against Cuba and opposing direct negotiations with Iran, although she has supported diplomatic relations with the nation. During the campaign, Clinton also questioned Obama's experience in foreign policy and preparedness to be commander-in-chief.

The toughest obstacle to Clinton's confirmation may be questions involving millions of dollars her husband raised for his presidential library and his humanitarian foundation.

Clinton would be the third female Secretary of

State, following Condoleezza Rice and her husband's appointment, Madeline Albright, in the post.