June 18, 2008
Categories: Barack Obama
Where's Holbrooke? [CORRECTED]

The Obama campaign announced this morning a Senior Working Group on National Security -- a mix of top advisers who served in the Clinton administration, prominent ex-politicians with national security bona fides (Sam Nunn, Lee Hamilton), and top Hillary Clinton supporters like former Secretaries of State Madeline Albright and Warren Christopher.

Conspicuously missing from the list: Would-be Clinton Secretary of State and Richard Holbrooke.

Holbrooke was not immediately available for comment, but his office said that he wasn't in DC, where Obama will be meeting with both the working group and retired flag officers who support him.

It's unclear why he wouldn't be on that list: Internal foreign policy-world politics, his alliance with the Clintons, and the fact that he's a partner of Jim Johnson and fellow friend of Angelo are all possible explanations.

(Also missing: Retired General and former Clinton surrogate Wesley Clark, who has said positive things about Obama recently.)

[CORRECTION: Clark was not on the Working Group roster -- which is made up of people with civilian national security experience -- but he was sitting at Obama's side when he met with retired flag officers earlier this afternoon.

An Obama campaign aide emails that "General Clark attended the meeting that Obama had with retired military and admirals this afternoon and he will be an important voice on this campaign."]

On a conference call, Obama foreign policy advisers said that names would be added to the working group roster.

Source: Politico

The civilian group:

CHICAGO, IL – Senator Obama today announced the formation of his Senior Working Group on National Security, a group of advisors that he will consult on a regular basis between now and the election. Obama will meet with the group for the first time today in Washington, DC for a wide-ranging discussion of the immense challenges faced by the United States in the wake of the disastrous foreign policies of George Bush.

“Each individual here today has provided extraordinary service to our nation in the executive branch and Congress. Several have been advising my campaign for some time. We’re also honored to be joined by some of Senator Clinton’s senior advisors. In the months to come, we’ll be reaching out to others, as well as leaders in Congress,” Senator Obama said. “The stakes in this election could not be higher. John McCain wants to continue George Bush's foreign policy which has made us less safe, less respected, and less able to lead the world. It's time to change course. It's time to end the war in Iraq responsibly, refocus on Afghanistan and al Qaeda, and renew our global leadership so that we can tackle the huge challenges of the 21st century.”

Later today, he will also meet with a group of nearly 40 retired Admirals and Generals to discuss the state of our armed forces, and the challenges facing our military in Iraq, Afghanistan, and around the world. This meeting is part of an ongoing dialogue between Senator Obama and current and former military officers of various ranks and views.

Senator Obama’s Senior Working Group on National Security includes:

Secretary of State Madeleine Albright

Senator David Boren, former Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence

Secretary of State Warren Christopher

Greg Craig, former director of the State Department Office of Policy Planning

Secretary of the Navy Richard Danzig

Representative Lee Hamilton, former Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee

Deputy Attorney General Eric Holder

Dr. Tony Lake, former National Security Advisor

Senator Sam Nunn, former Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Secretary of Defense William Perry

Dr. Susan Rice, former Assistant Secretary of State

Representative Tim Roemer, 9/11 Commissioner

Jim Steinberg, former Deputy National Security Advisor

Source: Obama 08