President-Elect Barack Obama just introduced his Foreign Policy / National Security Team today in Chicago . At the helm is Vice President-Elect Joe Biden, and the real surprise for some, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton as Secretary of State, then Eric Holder as Attorney General, Susan Rice as Ambassaor to the United Nations, Ret. General Jim Jones as head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, current Defense Secretary Robert Gates, and Arizona Governor Janet Nepolitano as Director of Homeland Security.
That Clinton is there at all is a testiment to Obama's determination to have a strong voice and a rival in that position. It's also speaks to the Clinton hunger for power and recognition in the 21st Century. In other words, to continue to be a relevant player on tbe World scene. It also marks the return -- however indirectly -- of former President Bill Clinton to the White House. Say what you will, but this is the first former President to have been returned to the White House to help serve a new President. It makes Bill within easy access to President Obama and strengthens Obama's hand on the World Stage: he's got someone considered by some to be the "President of The World" on his side.
Will former-President Clinton upstage his Secretary of State wife? Well, a little bit, but that will be tempered by the fact that the Clinton's do work as a team -- they're a couple. The entire "affair" will be fun to watch.
If you're keeping score regarding these appointments today, we have three women, two African American, and one Republican and all well-qualified. Not bad for a day's work, President-Elect Obama.
of Gates' approach and performance. The President-elect is sure to mandate examinations, including the procurement processes, but by retaining Gates he's giving a nod to the operational readiness and capability of the military. Obama's choice exhibits confidence in the Defense department's ability to carry out their missions - high praise for the work being done by the men and women who serve this country in uniform, while insuring a continuity that cannot pass unnoticed by those likely to provoke a military response and/or engage our armed forces.
In contrast, the selection of Senator Clinton for the State Department signals Obama's philosophical preference for reliance upon the soft power of strong diplomacy. The (anticipated) Clinton nomination foreshadows his early focus will be on a makeover at State from top to bottom. Hillary and Bill Clinton already have considerable global standing and influence. This shrewd appointment nonetheless positions the Senator in a challenging management role with diplomatic responsibilities far afield from the domestic policy issues such as health care she is noted for championing.
What 