Decent choices, except for Hillary and Naploitano.
Obama Unveils His National Security TeamPresident-elect Barack Obama announced as expected that Hillary Clinton would be his top diplomat and Robert Gates would stay on as defense secretary.
Monday, December 01, 2008
Barack Obama on Monday officially introduced the members of his national security team, including former Democratic primary rival Hillary Clinton as his secretary of state and Robert Gates, who will be remain as defense secretary.
Obama also announced that retired Marine Gen. James L. Jones -- a former top commander of NATO and U.S. forces in Europe -- would be his national security adviser.
"I am confident that this is the team that we need to make a new beginning for American national security," Obama told reporters during a morning news conference in Chicago.
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Obama's team will advise him on foreign and national security issues in an era marked by wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and terrorism around the globe. Obama takes office Jan. 20.
Obama said his team "must pursue a new strategy that skillfully uses, balances, and integrates all elements of American power: our military and diplomacy, our intelligence and law enforcement, our economy and the power of our moral example.
"The team that we have assembled here today is uniquely suited to do just that," he added as his Cabinet picks stood behind him on a flag-draped stage. "They share my pragmatism about the use of power, and my sense of purpose about America's role as a leader in the world."
Obama named Washington lawyer Eric Holder as attorney general and Arizona Gov. Janet Naploitano as homeland security chief. He also named two senior foreign policy positions outside the Cabinet, including campaign foreign policy adviser Susan Rice as U.N. ambassador.
Obama introduced Clinton first, saying of his former presidential rival, "She possesses an extraordinary intelligence and toughness, and a remarkable work ethic. ... She is an American of tremendous stature who will have my complete confidence, who knows many of the world's leaders, who will command respect in every capital, and who will clearly have the ability to advance our interests around the world."
Clinton will give up her seat as a senator from New York to join the Obama Cabinet. Her appointment was preceded by lengthy negotiations involving her husband, the former president, whose international business connections posed potential conflicts of interest.
The former president also agreed to disclose the donors to the foundation that built his library, as well as contributors to his international foundation.
She said to Obama, in brief turn at the lectern, "Mr. President-Elect, I am proud to join you on what will be a difficult and exciting adventure in this new century."
Sen. Clinton had scarcely finished speaking when her husband issued a written statement.
"She is the right person for the job of helping to restore America's image abroad, end the war in Iraq, advance peace and increase our security, by building a future for our children with more partners and fewer adversaries, one of shared responsibilities and opportunities," he said.
Gates said he was "mindful that we are engaged in two wars and face other serious challenges at home and around the world."
"I must do my duty as they do theirs," he said of the men and women in uniform in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere. "How could I do otherwise?"
He said he was "honored to serve President-elect Obama."
Gates' appointment fulfilled a campaign promise by Obama, the naming of a Republican to his Cabinet.
Obama said Napolitano understands the need to protect against terror attacks and to respond to natural disasters -- and that she also understands as well as anyone the danger of unsecured borders.
Obama now has half of the 15-member Cabinet assembled less than a month after the election, including the most prominent positions at State, Justice, Treasury and Defense.
Obama said that in choosing independent-minded people like Clinton and Gates, he wanted people who have strong opinions and are not shy about expressing them.
"I'm a strong believer in strong personalities and strong opinions," he said, adding that he didn't check people's political registration as he assembled his team.
But at the same, he said he'll follow the Harry Truman model and that "the buck will stop with me."
Vice President-elect Joe Biden said each member of the team shares the goals and the principles of the new administration that "strength and wisdom must go hand in hand," and that America's security "is not a partisan issue."
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2008/12/01/obama-unveils-national-security-team/
