President-elect Barack Obama confirmed widespread speculation that Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) would be his secretary of state as he revealed his national security team yesterday.
"She possesses an extraordinary intelligence and a remarkable work ethic. I am proud that she will be our next secretary of state," Obama said at a news conference yesterday.
Clinton, who fought Obama in a long and contentious battle for the Democratic nomination, will give up her post as the junior senator from New York to serve in her former rival's cabinet.
"Hillary's appointment is a sign to friend and foe of the seriousness of my commitment to renew American diplomacy and restore our alliances," Obama said.
Obama did not give any indication yesterday as to whether he would appoint Tufts alum and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson to be his secretary of commerce. Reports indicate that Richardson (A '70, F '71), another former rival to Obama in the Democratic primaries, is the top contender for the cabinet post.
In announcing his national security team yesterday, Obama said he will retain Bush administration Secretary of Defense Robert Gates. Obama announced that he will bring on retired Gen. James Jones, a former NATO forces commander, as national security advisor; Gov. Janet Napolitano (D-Ariz.) will be the next president's secretary of homeland security; Susan Rice, who was a State Department official under former President Bill Clinton, will be the new ambassador to the United Nations; and Eric Holder, Jr., who served as deputy attorney general under Bill Clinton, will become the United States' first black attorney general.
Obama assembled the team amid a turbulent international climate for the United States, whose dealings abroad include wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, growing tensions with Russia and a tenuous relationship with Pakistan.
