Essential

Obama Introduces Cabinet

Formal noms for Clinton, Holder, Napolitano.

What you’ve known for weeks is now official: Hillary Clinton will be Barack Obama's secretary of state. At a press conference in Washington, Obama introduced Hillary and several other members of his cabinet, including defense secretary Robert Gates, attorney general Eric Holder, and homeland security secretary Janet Napolitano. Obama also announced two more top positions—Susan Rice as ambassador to the United Nations and General James Jones as his national security advisor. "I have known Hillary Clinton as a friend, a colleague, a source of counsel, and a tough campaign opponent. She possesses an extraordinary intelligence and a remarkable work ethic," Obama said at the event, "I am proud that she will be secretary of state." Clinton pledged to give "my all" and said that America "must pursue vigorous diplomacy using all the tools we can muster to build a future with more partners and fewer adversaries." The New York Times reports that this approach could include a shift of resources from defense spending to diplomatic efforts.