Katie Couric's Notebook: Obama's Team

By: Katie Couric
Topics: Katie Couric's Notebook

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Notebook: Obama's Team

Today President-elect Obama announced his all-star national security team, a diverse lineup of men and women.

They share incredibly impressive backgrounds and resumes, but they do not necessarily share all of Mr. Obama's foreign-policy views.

The newly named national security advisor, General James Jones, has said that a withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq in 16 months is not in America's best interest. Senator Clinton voted to authorize the Iraq war, and is more hawkish than Mr. Obama on Iran. Secretary Gates presided over the troop surge – a strategy the president-elect opposed.

Critics are calling the appointments politics as usual from the man who promised change. But others see a sign that Mr. Obama is pragmatic.

The United States is fighting two wars and faces a continuing threat from Islamic extremists. With no time for a learning curve, the new president will need all the all-stars he can get on his team – from day one.

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by petersemkiw December 3, 2008 12:23 AM EST: Moi like zee new ''airztyle, too!
Tres chic et elegant!
It iz French ''airztyle, izn''t it?
Oooooooooooooooh La La!; Reply to this comment


by cwdfreedom December 2, 2008 1:04 PM EST: obama doesn''t know how to bring about effective change. he has done absolutely nothing in his senate career but vote to raise taxes on everything imaginable. i know many were decieved by this man''s empty rhetoric but hopefully now people will know this man as he really is and stand against his evil agenda. he is not only pro abortion but voted for 4 times to deny medical coverage to babies who survived abortion. this man is guilty of is guilty for wanting to murder not just unborn babies but even born babies. he is aggressivelt against tradional God ordained marriage as he has said he would overturn the defence of marriage act. and i just read yesterday that not only is wishy washy towards the american people changing his mind depending on who he is talking to but he did the same to the president of poland when he called him asking if obama would stand by the protecting sheild around poland and obama confirmed to him yes and the the next obama released a statement saying his has no committed towards this. how evil is that. that is a sure way to turn friend''s into enemies.; Reply to this comment


by eveningnews3 December 2, 2008 5:15 AM EST: I realize this blog is for important discussion. Not something silly.
Like the fact that Katie has a new hairstyle. But I HAVE to bring this up.

I think the new "Pixie" look is terrific !

But doll. Seriously. To really complement your new look. With SHORT hair. You are going to have to resist any temptation for an extra cookie from now on.

That''s my honest advice.

Unless you want to grow hair back. Or wear a wig.

Now... I realize.
For my saying this... (as you have done in the past)

You just might delete me.

But at least you can''t eat me.

...or could you ?; Reply to this comment


by kenhamlett December 1, 2008 10:34 PM EST: Obama is actually doing pretty well so far in most of his picks. We have to bear in mind there are very few credible candidates for these positions. When Volker''s name came up it perplexed me but I held firm in my support. Now we have Clinton which will be a source of conflict with what the country needs.
Obama may need to play the political game to some extent but we can hope he has replacements in line and resignations prewritten for some when he realizes the goal of change is being hindered.
I wish him well but I expect he should stock up on aspirin for some future meetings.; Reply to this comment