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President-elect Barack Obama named former
campaign rival Hillary Rodham Clinton as his Secretary of State on
Monday, and announced Robert Gates would remain as defense
secretary, making President Bush's Pentagon chief his own in the
drive to wind down the U.S. role in Iraq.


      At a news conference, Obama also introduced retired Marine Gen.
James Jones as White House national security adviser, former
Justice Department official Eric Holder as attorney general and
Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano as secretary of homeland security.


      The announcements rounded out the top tier of the team that will
advise the incoming chief executive on foreign and national
security issues in an era marked by wars in Iraq and Afghanistan
and terrorism around the globe.


      "The time has come for a new beginning, a new dawn of American
leadership to overcome the challenges of the 21st century," Obama
said as his Cabinet picks stood behind him on a flag-draped stage.


      "We will strengthen our capacity to defeat our enemies and
support our friends. We will renew old alliances and forge new and
enduring partnerships."


      Obama said his appointees "share my pragmatism about the use of
power, and my sense of purpose about America's role as a leader in
the world."


      "I assembled this team because I am a strong believer in strong
personalities and strong opintions," he said. "I think that's how
the best decisions are made. One of the dangers in a White House,
based on my reading of history, is that you get wrapped up in
group-think and everybody agrees with everything and there's no
discussion and there are no dissenting views. So I am going to be
welcoming a vigorous debate inside the White House.


      "But understand, I will be setting policy as president. I will
be responsible for the vision that this team carries out, and I
will expect them to implement that vision once decisions are
made."


      Gates' presence in Chicago made him a visible symbol of the
transition in power from the Bush administration to one headed by
Obama.


      The president-elect, reprising a campaign vow, said he would
give the military a new mission as soon as he takes office:
"responsibly ending the war in Iraq through a successful
transition to Iraqi control." In his announcement remarks, he did
not mention his oft-repeated pledge to withdraw most U.S. combat
troops within 16 months, although he referred to it in response to
a question several moments later.


      Clinton, Holder and Napolitano all require confirmation by the
Senate.


      Jones, as a White House official, does not. Nor does Gates,
already confirmed to his post.


      Obama also appointed campaign foreign policy aide Susan Rice as
his ambassador to the United Nations. Obama said he would make her
a member of the Cabinet, an increase in stature from the Bush era.


      Obama's announcements marked a shift in emphasis after a spate
of appointments last week for his economic team, led by Timothy
Geithner as treasury secretary.


      He now has selected half the members of his Cabinet, and is
making his picks at an unusually quick pace during his transition
as he seeks to fulfill his goal of being able to "hit the ground
running" when he takes the oath of office on Jan. 20.


      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
interests.


      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 a brief turn at the lectern, "I am proud
to join you ... and may God bless you and our great country."


      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.


      Holder vowed to revitalize a Justice Department staggered by
scandal during the Bush administration, both over the dismissal of
federal prosecutors and the administration's program of wiretapping
as part of its war against terrorists.


      Napolitano, like Clinton, must resign her current job. As a
border state governor, she has experience with immigration issues,
one of the pressing concerns that will confront the new
administration.


      Obama said Jones, his national security adviser, "will bring to
the job the dual experience of serving in uniform and as a
diplomat. He has commanded a platoon in battle, served as supreme
allied commander in a time of war and worked on behalf of peace in
the Middle East."


      The event was unlike those of last week, when Obama was the only
one to speak. This time, he called on each of his appointees to
make remarks, beginning with Clinton.


      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."


      Obama has settled on additional members of his Cabinet, although
they have not yet been announced.


      Among them are former Senate Democratic leader Tom Daschle to be
his secretary of health and human services and New Mexico Gov. Bill
Richardson to be commerce secretary.


      Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, asked about Clinton at a
news conference in London, said Monday: "I think that she will
bring enormous energy and intellect and skill to the position."


      "Most important, I know her to be somebody who has what you
need most in this job, which is a deep love for the United States
of America," Rice said. She added, "As to advice, I'll give her
that advice privately, and then she won't - and you won't - hear
from me again."

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Politics and Government News

President-elect Barack Obama on Monday announced
a foreign policy team led by former campaign rival Hillary Rodham
Clinton and President Bush's defense secretary, Robert Gates - both
early supporters of a war in Iraq that he opposed and will be
seeking to wind down.

Obama announces Clinton, Gates for Cabinet

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