Washington, D.C., United States (AHN) – New National Security Adviser Tom Donilon was ushered in on Friday by President Barack Obama after Obama bid farewell to Jim Jones at a televised press conference.
Addressing journalists and others in the sunny Rose Garden, the White House, Obama called incoming NSA Tom Donilon, “one of my closest advisors,” adding, “He has helped manage our national security team and the policymaking process, and won the respect and admiration of his colleagues in the White House and across the administration.”
Just a couple of hours ago, in the Pentagon briefing room, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates was disowning his earlier remarks cited in a recent book by veteran reporter Bob Woodward of the Washington Post.
Gates was quoted in the book as asserting that Donilon would be a “disaster” as National Security Adviser.
Replying to a question, Gates told journalists, “I have thoroughly enjoyed working with General Jones, and I have, and have had, a very productive and very good working relationship with Tom Donilon, contrary to what you may have read,” adding, “And I look forward to continue working with him.”
Donilon has no worries about legislature as he will not need Senate confirmation because the position is considered a White House job.
On the other hand, Gen. James Jones who resigned as national security adviser was hailed by Obama as a “dedicated public servant and a friend to me.”
“You complete this assignment knowing that your country is safer and strong,” Obama said about Gen Jones who along with Donilon stood on either side of the president during a televised press conference.
“Jim has always been a steady voice in Situation Room sessions, daily briefings, and with meetings with foreign leaders, while also representing our country abroad with allies and partners in every region of the world,” said Obama.
Further on the contribution made by Jones, Obama said, “At the same time, he has led an unprecedented reform of our national security staff here at the White House. Reflecting the new challenges of our time, he put new emphasis on cyber security, development and climate change, and made sure that homeland security is fully integrated into our efforts.”
The president was kind in his use of words for Gen. Jones but the departure of Jones had become essentially definite for the Woodward’s book alleged that Jones used unflattering adjectives for Obama’s inner circle, calling them the “water bugs,” the “politburo” and the “Mafia.”
The latest shake-up comes within a week after Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel left to run for the office of Chicago mayor, joining exiting line-up of the budget director, Peter Orszag, and the chairwoman of the Council of Economic Advisors, Christina Romber.
Larry Summers, top economic advisor to the president, will return to Harvard at the end of the year and more changes are in the offing according to the White House grapevine.
David Axelrod has already announced his departure early next year to work on Obama’s re-election campaign, and Robert Gibbs, the press spokesman faces questions almost everyday during regular press briefings about his next job as he is expected to move to a different job inside the White House.
Overall, there is nothing very unusual in these departures at nearly halfway through the four years except for the reasons which are forcing these changes.
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