Bipartisan Praise for Obama National Security Team

President-elect Barack Obama’s national security team won instant praise from both sides of the aisle Monday.

Obama announced Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) as secretary of State, Defense Secretary Robert Gates as his own secretary of Defense, retired Gen. Jim Jones as national security adviser, Eric Holder as attorney general, Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano (D) as homeland security secretary and Susan Rice as ambassador to the United Nations. Each choice still needs to win confirmation from the Senate.

Senate Foreign Relations Chairman John Kerry (D-Mass.) released a statement Monday praising the “terrific” national security team as one that can keep the country safe and “help restore America’s rightful place in the world.”

“General Jones and Governor Napolitano are bright, strategic thinkers dedicated to the security of the nation.