President Obama Officially Nominates Ash Carter to DOD
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Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images(WASHINGTON) — President Obama has officially nominated Ash Carter to be his fourth Secretary of Defense in six years, calling him “one of our nation’s foremost national security leaders.”
“It’s fair to say on your one year attempt at retirement from public service you failed miserably,” Obama joked to Carter, who has served nearly a decade in leadership at the Pentagon under the Clinton and Obama administrations.
Obama praised Carter as a trusted adviser who has counseled him in the situation room and adeptly helped to pare down an unwieldy defense budget while overseeing U.S. combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. He’s also won the respect and admiration of members of Congress on both sides of the aisle and is expected to be easily confirmed.
One quality often overlooked about Carter, Obama said, is “his true regard, his love for the men and women in uniform and their families.”
Carter, who did not top Obama’s list of replacements for outgoing Secretary Chuck Hagel, said he accepted the job because of that “deep respect and abiding love” for men and women in uniform.
“I pledge to you my most candid strategic advice,” Carter said, turning to Obama. “And I pledge that you will receive candid military advice.”
The comments were perhaps directed at swirling criticism from some Republicans that whomever is the next Defense Secretary will be a puppet of the West Wing, effectively just placed to rubber stamp decisions made by Obama’s closest advisers.
Once Carter is confirmed, he will assume a portfolio of challenges, from the U.S. military transition in Afghanistan, the fight against ISIS in Iraq and Syria, the Ebola mission in West Africa, a rebalance in Asia, and departmental challenges of sex assaults in the ranks and continued budget tightening.
Fun fact about Carter: He’s a “big Motown fan,” Obama said.
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