the national security team

The appointments are thus:

Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates to remain as Secretary of Defense.
Eric Holder as Attorney General.
Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.
Susan Rice as Ambassador to the United Nations.
General Jim Jones, USMC (Ret) as National Security Adviser.

Janet Napolitano, governor of Arizona, has recently gathered such prestigious awards as one of the Top five governors in America (Time Magazine) and one of America's top women leaders (Newsweek). In recognition of these national accomplishments in addition to the many advances she's made as the Arizona governor (not to mention making a historically conservative state take a more liberal stance), Barack Obama has chosen her to assume the role of Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. With her innovative problem solving skills, Napolitano will no doubt do a great job in her new position, but there are definitely many Arizonans who fear the progress she has made as governor might head in a different direction.

Hillary Clinton (the biggest celebrity pick on the team) was presented with the dilemma of either resuming her role as one of the nation's most recognized and successful senators or becoming the Secretary of State and taking on the public face around the world of the Obama administration. The choice ultimately came down to the position that Clinton thought she would have the greatest influence over public policy. Although Clinton was quickly rising in the Senate (and gaining more and more acclaim) the opportunity to be the Secretary of State was evidently too great to pass up. Some will still no doubt argue over her decision of the Executive branch over the Legislative branch and the future implications of her decision.