Clinton gets leading role in team Obama

Barack Obama promised new leadership in a troubled world, announcing a strong-willed national security team headed by Hillary Clinton, who fought him long and bitterly for the presidency, and Robert Gates, the man who has been running two wars for George Bush.

With the announcements, Mr Obama has finished naming the highest profile members of his administration seven weeks before taking office.

The officials Mr Obama has chosen are seen as pragmatic, rather than ideological. The choices have won praise from Republicans as well as Mr Obama’s fellow Democrats, though they have prompted questions about whether a Cabinet dominated by Washington veterans can deliver the overhaul of government Mr Obama had promised as a candidate.

The president-elect said he had not changed his mind about bringing most US combat troops home from Iraq within 16 months but added a cautionary note – he will consult with his military commanders first.

While his new team may be more centrist than many Obama supporters might prefer, he said the withdrawal timetable he emphasised in the presidential campaign is still “the right time frame”.

Mrs Clinton, as secretary of state, and Mr Gates, remaining as defence secretary, will be the most prominent faces – besides Mr Obama’s own – of the new administration’s effort to revamp US policy abroad.

Mr Gates has raised concerns about the militarization of US foreign policy and has called for a greater emphasis on nonmilitary areas such as economic and political development.

At a Chicago news conference, Mr Obama also tapped top advisers Eric Holder as attorney general and Susan Rice as ambassador to the United Nations. He named Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano to be homeland security secretary and retired Marine General James Jones as White House national security adviser.

The choices had been telegraphed days earlier but were remarkable all the same - still another major turn in Mrs Clinton’s extraordinary career, a show of faith in Mr Gates and action to support Mr Obama’s frequent talk of desiring robust debate among seasoned, opinionated people in his inner circle.

Denouncing White House “group think,” Mr Obama signalled a break from President Bush’s tendency toward an insular management style and go-with-the-gut diplomacy.

“The time has come for a new beginning,” said Mr Obama, flanked by flags on a stage with Vice President-elect Joe Biden and his six newest appointees.

While Mr Gates will stay at the Pentagon, Mr Obama said the military’s new mission will be “responsibly ending the war in Iraq through a successful transition to Iraqi control”.

He said a newly completed agreement between Iraq and the Bush administration covering US troops signals “a transition period in which our mission is changing.” He added: “It indicates we are now on a glide path to reduce our forces in Iraq.”

Asked about his team, Mr Obama said: “I assembled this team because I’m a strong believer in strong personalities and strong opinions.

“I think that’s how the best decisions are made. ... So I’m going to be welcoming a vigorous debate inside the White House.

“But understand I will be setting policy as president,” he added. He said he will be responsible for “the vision that this team carries out, and I expect them to implement that vision once decisions are made.”

He said: “The time has come for a new beginning, a new dawn of American leadership to overcome the challenges of the 21st century.”