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Obama Announces National Security Team

President-elect Barack Obama announces his national security team, including naming Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton as secretary of state.

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

The announcements confirmed weeks of speculation and secret negotiations. Gates had never closed the door on staying in office but repeatedly insisted that he wanted to retire to his home in Washington state. Discussions with Clinton were not solidified until agreement was reached over public release of the names of donors to the foundation established by her husband, the former president.

Jones was said to have resisted repeated entreaties from Obama until early last week. His concerns, according to a source who discussed the matter with the former NATO commander, centered on avoiding the problems that plagued Bush's first term, including a weak National Security Council and end runs around national security adviser Condoleezza Rice by then-Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld and Vice President Cheney.

Another Obama adviser said the president-elect's team has studied Bush's attempt to put together a first-term team of national security heavyweights, only to see discipline collapse among warring factions. With Jones, the adviser said, Obama felt he had found "a very substantial person who can make the system work."

"Obama kept coming back," the source said. "Everything [Jones] told him about the reasons he didn't want the job, [Obama] said, 'I can fix that.' " Jones is said to have emerged with guarantees that he would have Cabinet rank and be the main foreign policy conduit to and from the president.

Clinton stood without expression yesterday as Obama, the former rival she once called "naive" on some aspects of foreign policy, praised her "extraordinary intelligence and remarkable work ethic." Obama continued: "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. Hillary's appointment is a sign to friend and foe of the seriousness of my commitment to renew American diplomacy and restore our alliances."

Clinton cracked a smile when Obama described her as a "tough campaign opponent." In her own remarks, she said that "if confirmed, I will give this assignment, your administration and my country my all."

A source close to the transition and familiar with discussions between Clinton and Obama described her as confident that she will have the president's ear when she needs it, and as unconcerned about the potential for rivalry with Jones and Gates. "She knows how the White House works," the source said of the former first lady.

Gates was brief and businesslike, declaring himself "deeply honored" to be asked to continue his service. Referring to the American troops at war, he said: "I must do my duty as they do theirs. How could I do otherwise?"

During the campaign, Gates publicly questioned Obama's plan to set a timetable for withdrawing most U.S. combat troops from Iraq within 16 months of taking office, saying it would undermine recent security gains there. Since then, however, the Bush administration has signed a security agreement with Iraq pledging a complete withdrawal by the end of 2011, and senior U.S. military officials who have spoken with Obama have said they think they can strike a compromise on the number and timing of withdrawals. In recent months, Gates has given a series of speeches dovetailing with Obama's emphasis on the importance of diplomacy and "soft power" along with military force.

Noting it would likely be necessary "to maintain a residual force to provide potential training, logistical support, to protect our civilians in Iraq," Obama said yesterday that he thinks "16 months is the right time frame. But, as I've said consistently, I will listen to the recommendations of my commanders."

Shear reported from Chicago. Staff writer Michael Abramowitz in Washington contributed to this report.