Obama promises new beginning

Published on Monday 1 December 2008 21:38

BARACK Obama unveiled key cabinet posts, including his national security team yesterday, promising a bold new role for the United States in world affairs.

"The time has come for a new beginning, a new dawn for American leadership," he said standing shoulder to shoulder with his new team at a Chicago press conference. "They share my pragmatism about the use of power and my sense of purpose about America's role as a leader in the world."

As was widely expected, his former primary campaign rival Hillary Clinton was named secretary of state, with Mr Obama offering lavish praise for the former first lady.

"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 said. "I have no doubt that Hillary Clinton is the right person to lead our state department and to work with me in tackling this ambitious foreign policy agenda."

The importance he will accord the United Nations was underlined by his appointment of his key foreign policy adviser, Susan Rice, as UN ambassador.

Robert Gates was also confirmed as defence secretary, a role he currently occupies in the Bush administration, but with orders to supervise a withdrawal from Iraq.

Retired marine general Jim Jones, a former Nato commander, will be national security adviser, while Arizona governor and Obama ally Janet Napolitano will be named director of homeland security.

Mr Obama said this team will be responsible for tackling global problems from Iraq and Afghanistan to America's dependence on foreign oil and worldwide environmental issues, insisting the onus will be on reaching out to allies. "The common thread linking these challenges is that in the 21st century our destiny is shared with the world. Now, more than ever, we have a stake in what happens across the globe."

His appointees share considerable experience in working with America's partners.

Mr Obama insisted last week that while he welcomed dissent in his cabinet, he maintains a firm grip on policy: "The vision for change comes first and foremost from me – that's my job."

Critics point to the preponderance of former Clinton administration appointees in the new cabinet as evidence that Mr Obama's promise of "change" is being watered-down.

But some commentators say Mr Obama is keen to avoid the mistakes of the former Clinton administration, which appointed inexperienced cabinet members in 1992, and the weakness of George Bush, which saw his own government plagued by disagreements.

The Washington commentator Bill McPherson said: " In the Bush administration there was a lot of dissent, it was more or less dysfunctional."

Also appointed yesterday was Eric Holder, legal adviser during Mr Obama's campaign, as the attorney general.

Mr Holder becomes the first African-American to hold the post.

ROBERT GATES

A former CIA director and a Republican, Mr Gates stays on as defence secretary. Has served on the bi-partisan Iraq study group which recommended an early withdrawal from Iraq in 2006.

JANET NAPOLITANO

The new homeland security secretary gained experience of terrorism while investigating the 1995 Oklahoma bombing. In 2005, Time Magazine named her one of America's top five governors.

SUSAN RICE

The former under-secretary of state in the Clinton administration and new UN ambassador was an early convert to Mr Obama and has publicly denounced Hillary Clinton's lack of foreign policy experience.

JIM JONES

This retired Marine Corps general is the new national security adviser. His job as Nato supreme commander in 2003 leaves him well placed to carry out Mr Obama's wish for closer ties with key allies.