A new dawn of American leadership has arrived, says Obama
President-elect unveils his security team with Clinton as Secretary of State
Tuesday 02 December 2008
Latest in Americas
On Facebook
From the blogs
HIV orphans in Thailand prepare for the future
In Baan Gerda, a community for HIV infected or affected youngsters in Northern Thailand, a group of ...
Online House Hunter: England’s most romantic places
Our Online House Hunter goes in search of romance this Valentine's Day...
Roy Hodgson for England: A club of one
To argue against Harry Redknapp for England is akin to arguing in favour of bankers bonuses. While s...
Time for a reality check on the Sri Lankan civil war
Sri Lanka, much like Britain, has side-lined accountability long enough.
VIEW GALLERY
Barack Obama called for a "a new dawn of American leadership" yesterday as he formally introduced his once bitter rival for the presidency, Hillary Clinton, as his choice for Secretary of State.
"We will strengthen our capacity to defeat our enemies and support our friends," the President-elect said at a news conference in Chicago that was long on platitudes and short on specifics. "We will renew old alliances and forge new and enduring partnerships."
"Hillary's appointment is a sign to friend and foe of the seriousness of my commitment to renew American diplomacy and restore our alliances," Mr Obama added, in a pointed reference to George Bush's Iraq legacy and the damage to America's US standing in the world.
With a Stars and Stripes flag flying behind her, Mrs Clinton smiled and listened intently as Mr Obama introduced her as "a friend, a colleague, a source of counsel and as a campaign opponent" who "possesses an extraordinary intelligence and toughness and a remarkable work ethic".
"Mr President-elect, thank you for this honour," she responded. "If confirmed, I will give this assignment, your administration and our country my all." She added that it would be "a difficult and exciting adventure", coming at a time when two wars were raging, the world economy was reeling, the climate warming and terrorists continuing to launch attacks.
Mr Obama also confirmed that Robert Gates would stay on as Defence Secretary, a well-telegraphed gesture to Republicans at a time when he is drawing up plans to end US involvement in Iraq within 16 months of taking office. He has appointed the much-decorated marine, General James Jones, as his National Security Adviser. Susan Rice, his foreign policy adviser on the campaign trail, will be given cabinet rank as the next UN ambassador. The Arizona Governor, Janet Napolitano, is the new Homeland Security chief and Eric Holder, a veteran of Bill Clinton's administration, will be the country's new Attorney General.
In yet another dig at the Bush regime's efforts to skirt around the US constitution, especially when dealing with terror suspects, Mr Obama said: "Let me be clear: the Attorney General serves the American people and I have every expectation that Eric will protect our people, uphold the public trust and adhere to our constitution." Mr Obama's national security team includes military Cold War veterans and diplomatic pragmatists. But by nominating Mrs Clinton as his Secretary of State, he has added a political heavyweight to his team. She is already on first-name terms with many world leaders and shares his vision of an America that is admired rather than feared in the world. Signalling that, for now at least, Mrs Clinton will be first among equals in his foreign policy team, the President-elect draped his arm over her shoulder as they left the press conference, with the rest of his new team straggling behind.
Mrs Clinton declared that the crises around the world were such that America could not solve them alone and that the rest of the world could not solve them without the US. Americans were demanding that their country's standing in the world improved, she said in a nod to her new boss. To her supporters, as much as to the media, she said "the best way to continue serving my country" was to join the Obama administration "at this defining moment". Quoting President John F Kennedy, she said: "I am proud to join you on what will be a difficult and exciting adventure in this new century."
Mr Obama pointed to potential fireworks ahead, saying that in choosing independent-minded Mrs Clinton and Mr Gates, he wanted people with strong opinions around him. "I am a strong believer in strong personalities and strong opinions," he said, adding that staff in the White House could "get wrapped up in group-think".
He would welcome vigorous debate, he said, but warned: "I will be setting policy as President. The buck will stop with me."
Mrs Clinton's diplomatic skills will soon be tested on everything from Iran and North Korea's nuclear proliferation, to climate change negotiations and re-energising the Middle East peace talks. Another of Mr Obama's priorities may be sending Mrs Clinton to Sudan to signal that the US will not stand idly by while mass atrocities are committed by the government of President Omar al-Bashir.
- 1 Lightning kills an entire football team
- 2 Fear for deported Saudi 'ridiculous', says Malaysian home minister
- 3 Eight arrests as Murdoch 'throws staff to the wolves'
- 4 Israel blames Iran for embassy bomb attacks
- 5 Now The Sun tries to call in its favours from Downing Street
- 6 I was born to be a killer. Every night I see the Devil in my dreams
- 7 BBC to issue global apology for documentaries that broke rules
- 1 Kate Allen: It's time for America to put an end to this shameful scandal
- 2 Spotify: 1 million plays, £108 return
- 3 Chemotherapy is 'safe during pregnancy'
- 4 Rhodri Marsden: What we like and what we don't like are often closer than you'd think
- 5 BBC to issue global apology for documentaries that broke rules
- 6 Lightning kills an entire football team
- 7 I was born to be a killer. Every night I see the Devil in my dreams
- 8 Henry does it his way, ending on a high note
- 9 Modern lovers: The 'sexual body warriors' and pioneers transforming 21st-century relationships
- 10 Redknapp hints at same old faces for England
Free trial of new Independent iPad app
Get your daily dose of the best of British journalism, sponsored by American Airlines
Win a three-week coastal jaunt
Spend three weeks exploring every nook and cranny of gorgeous Atlantic Canada.
Amazing restaurant offers
Three glasses of free champagne and a special menu at 46 top London restaurants.
Latest Independent competitions
Win anything from gadgets to five-star holidays on our competitions and offers page.
Commercial thought leaders
Watch the best in the business world give their insights into the world of business.
Career Services
Day In a Page
Apple admits it has a human rights problem
James Lawton: AVB looks all at sea
Procrastination: Not now – I'm busy
Silent revolution at the Baftas
The diva who had – and lost – it all




Comments