President-elect Barack Obama officially announced key members his national security team today:
He nominated New York Sen. Hillary Clinton as secretary of state, Defense Secretary Robert Gates to remain as secretary of defense, Eric Holder as attorney general, Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano as secretary of the department of homeland security, Susan Rice as ambassador to the United Nations, and selecting Gen. Jim Jones, USMC (Ret) as national security adviser.
“In this uncertain world, the time has come for a new beginning — a new dawn of American leadership to overcome the challenges of the 21st century, and to seize the opportunities embedded in those challenges. To succeed, we 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. They share my pragmatism about the use of power, and my sense of purpose about America’s role as a leader in the world,” said President-elect Obama.
Sen: Hillary Clinton, Secretary of State
Over nearly four decades in public service, as an attorney, First Lady, senator, and presidential candidate, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton is a champion for children and families and advocates for women’s rights and human rights. During the Clinton Administration, she fought for universal healthcare and helped to lead successful bipartisan efforts to improve the adoption and foster care systems, reduce teen pregnancy, and provide healthcare to millions of children through the Children’s Health Insurance Program. She championed American interests as well as the rights of women and girls in more than eighty countries around the world.
In November 2000, Clinton became the first First Lady elected to public office and the first woman elected independently in New York State. In the Senate, she has advocated for equal access to healthcare, education, and economic opportunity for women and girls around the world. As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Clinton has fought for and secured in law improved healthcare for members of the National Guard and Reserves and worked to bring our troops home safely and responsibly from Iraq. She also serves as the only Senate member of the Transformation Advisory Group to the Joint Forces Command, working to modernize the U.S. military.
Secretary Robert Gates, Secretary of Defense
Dr. Robert M. Gates was sworn in on Dec. 18, 2006, as the 22nd secretary of defense. Before entering his present post, Gates was the president of Texas A&M University, the nation’s seventh largest university. Prior to assuming the presidency of Texas A&M, he served as interim dean of the George Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M. Gates served as director