Asked by reporters about his choice of Clinton, who traded barbs with him and questioned his readiness for the presidency during the campaign, he praised her and shrugged off any suggestions of future problems.
He said of the New York senator: “She possesses an extraordinary intelligence and toughness, and a remarkable work ethic. … She is an American of tremendous stature who will have my complete confidence, who knows many of the world’s leaders, who will command respect in every capital and who will clearly have the ability to advance our interests around the world.”
The former first lady repaid the compliment: “I am proud to join you … and may God bless you and our great country.”
Likewise, Gates said he was “honored to serve President-elect Obama.”
He said he was “mindful that we are engaged in two wars and face other serious challenges at home and around the world.”
“I must do my duty as they do theirs,” Gates said of the men and women in uniform in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere. “How could I do otherwise?”
At the news conference, Obama expressed sympathy for the victims of the terror attacks in Mumbai, but twice declined to say whether the Indian government would be justified in pursuing terrorists in next-door Pakistan.
“This is one of those times when I have to reiterate there is one president at a time,” he said. “We’re going to be engaged in some very delicate diplomacy in the next days and weeks, and I think it would be very inappropriate of me to comment.”
Obama had drawn criticism during the campaign — including from Clinton — when he said the United States would be justified in pursuing al-Qaida terrorists in Pakistan if it had “actionable intelligence.”
Clinton will give up her seat as a senator from New York to join the Cabinet. Her appointment was preceded by lengthy negotiations involving her husband, the former president, whose international business connections posed potential conflicts of interests.
Napolitano, too, must resign her current job as a border-state governor. She was among the earliest Obama supporters, when Clinton seemed the likely Democratic nominee.
Gates’ appointment fulfilled a campaign promise by Obama, the naming of a Republican to his Cabinet.
Holder, a former Justice Department official in the Clinton administration, led Obama’s vice presidential search, while Rice was his top foreign policy adviser.
Jones, meanwhile, advised both Obama and Republican presidential nominee John McCain during the campaign on national security issues. Last year, he led a commission that advised Congress on progress in training Iraqi security forces.
Clinton, Holder, Napolitano and Rice require Senate confirmation. Jones, as a White House official, does not. Nor does Gates, already confirmed to his post.
(Associated Press)
