by J M K

Created on: December 15, 2008

President-elect Barack Obama named Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton as Secretary of State and Robert M. Gates as Defense Secretary. The announcement came as no shock at a morning news conference in Chicago, home of the transition team's headquarters, according to the Washington Post.

Hilary Clinton was a rival for the Democratic presidential bid and was later on Barack Obama's short list for VP. The item Clinton and Obama fought about most frequently while campaigning: foreign policy. Clinton used her experience and travels as First Lady to declare she was better prepared to handle foreign affairs while Obama often appealed to our emotions. During the

CNN/You Tube debate Obama appealed to American's want for a change in policy by calling the current policy of refusing to meet with rogue leaders "ridiculous."

While Obama has a foreign affairs dream, Clinton has the experience. As First Lady she made an unprecedented tour of Africa and as a Senator has been assigned to the Senate Armed Services Committee. The juxtaposition of Obama and Clinton is ideal. Clinton is available to question Obama's possibly nave plans and together they can accomplish a foreign policy rehaul.

Robert M. Gates has been the Secretary of Defense since 2006. He began his highly awarded career in national intelligence in 1966 with the CIA. Gates started as an entry-level officer for the CIA and later rose to the Director. Gates also served in the first Bush white house as Deputy National Security Advisor for three years, according to Defense Link.

Gates has spent the past two years arguing Bush's agenda for the Iraq war. In stark contrast to the President-elect's plan, the Bush administration team has been fighting against a withdraw timeline and other such benchmarks. In January 2009, it appears that Gates' role will do a 180. An Obama-Gates collaboration may actually not be as difficult as it seems. The two both agree that a troop reduction in Iraq and surge in Afghanistan is necessary. With Obama's affliction for healthy deliberation and even a little devil's advocate, Robert Gates might be the perfect debate partner.

What does a bi-partisan security team mean for America? Transparency and conviction. Obama's foreign affairs experience was often brought into question during the campaign. With Clinton and Gates on his team, Obama will be kept in check and the team may be able to act quicker with each of them holding different but plentiful allies on congress. We, the American people, can feel confident about our world position.

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