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Obama names Clinton, national security team

(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-12-02 00:21

CHICAGO – US President-elect Barack Obama on Monday announced his national security team, nominating former rival Hillary Clinton as secretary of state and asking Defense Secretary Robert Gates to stay on in that role.

Secretary of Defense Robert Gates (L) and Senator Hillary Clinton are seen in this combination image. [Agencies]

Obama, who takes office on January 20, has pledged to be more inclusive and says he has a vision of renewing America's leadership in world affairs after President George W. Bush's eight years in office.

U.S. President-elect Barack Obama (L) announces that U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) will be his choice for U.S. Secretary of State during a news conference in Chicago December 1, 2008. Obama, who takes office on Jan. 20, has pledged to be more inclusive and says he has a vision of renewing America's leadership in world affairs after President George W. Bush's eight years in office. [Agencies]

A statement from his office said Obama had also named Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano as homeland security secretary, Eric Holder as attorney general, retired Marine Gen. James Jones as national security adviser and long-time adviser Susan Rice as ambassador to the United Nations.

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Obama said he aimed to implement a "new dawn of American leadership" that integrates military, diplomacy, law enforcement and the economy.

"The team that we have assembled here today is uniquely suited to do just that," he said in a statement.

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

Clinton, who waged a fierce battle against Obama for the Democratic presidential nomination, has served more than four decades in public service. Aides have said Obama admires Clinton's work ethic and also believes the former first lady's star power would boost his vision of improving America's global standing.

The appointment of Gates to such an important position fulfills Obama's promise of including Republicans in his administration. The 65-year-old defense secretary has been lauded by members of both parties since taking over the Pentagon from Donald Rumsfeld in late 2006.