President-elect Barack Obama announced national security and diplomacy team this morning, including his widely leaked pick for secretary of state, Hillary Clinton. This is a very interesting turn for a very interesting administration, tapping a campaign foe for a very high profile and (in the current decrepit state of diplomatic affairs) active position.
Senator Clinton is most certainly qualified for the job and has proved herself to be a talented statesperson over the course of her husband's presidency and her career as senator. Obama has wisely brought into the fold another intelligent and experienced voice who will, no doubt, challenge his positions.
What remains to be seen, however, is just what role Bill Clinton (and his ego) will play. He displayed a petulant, spoiled character on the campaign trail that was, frankly, unbecoming of his legacy (his inability to say Obama's name, even while ostensibly campaigning for him, was beyond childish). It is well known that the man doesn't appreciate sitting on the sidelines of history, lest he be forgotten. He could be a powerful partner or it could degenerate into the Bill Clinton Show Redux. I loved the man as President but I have always questioned if the man can concede the spotlight to his wife. I hope so.
Here are the rest of Obama's nominated positions:
Retired Marine Gen. James Jones for White House national security adviser
Former Justice Department official Eric Holder for attorney general
Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano for secretary of homeland security
Susan Rice for UN Ambassador
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