Secretary of State Hillary Clinton

At 10:40am EST on Monday, President-Elect Obama will introduce his national security team. He’s retaining Defense Secretary Robert Gates at the Pentagon and is naming retired Marine Gen. James Jones as national security adviser. Then there is the matter of Secretary of State.

The negotiations are complete and a deal has been finalized. Hillary Clinton will be named to that all-important post, cementing the ‘team of rivals’ cabinet.

Here’s the full text of the internal agreement:

“At the request of President-elect Obama, and to avoid even the appearance of a conflict of interest between the work of President Clinton and the service of Hillary Clinton should she be nominated and confirmed as Secretary of State, President Clinton is taking the following steps above and beyond the requirements of current laws and regulations.

— The Clinton Foundation will publish the names of everyone who has contributed since its founding in 1997 (this year).

— Should Senator Clinton be nominated and confirmed as Secretary of State, during her time of service, the Foundation will also publish the names of everyone who contributes going forward on an annual basis.

— The Foundation will separately incorporate CGI [the Clinton Global Initiative] from the Foundation; President Clinton will continue to host CGI gatherings, such as the one in NYC and its meetings for college and university students, as Founding Chairman of CGI.

— Although President Clinton will continue to invite participants to CGI events (which involves normal registration fees), he will not solicit ’sponsorship’ contributions for CGI.

— CGI will also not host annual events outside the US and CGI will not solicit or accept foreign government contributions.

— Given the extensive and life-saving work of the Clinton Foundation’s HIV/AIDS Initiative which can and should continue, the Foundation will continue to fulfill its commitments funded by foreign governments (including, among others, Sweden Norway, France, Great Britain). In the event an existing contributing country chooses to substantially increase its commitment, or a new country, or government-owned entity, decides to contribute, the Foundation will share such proposed contributions with the State Department ethics officials. State may also share the issue to the WH Counsel’s office for review. To whatever extent there are conflict of interest concerns raised about such potential contributions related to Senator Clinton’s service as Secretary, they will be conveyed to Hillary Clinton and the Clinton Foundation for appropriate action.

— Same procedure to be followed for any foreign country contributors to CCI [Clinton Climate Initiative], CGSCI [Clinton Giustra Sustainable Growth Initiative] and CHDI [Clinton Hunter Development Initiative].

— Regarding President Clinton’s private work, during her tenure, President Clinton will share proposed hosts of speeches with the State Department ethics officials for their review, and as appropriate for review by the White House Counsel. Again, should there be conflict of interest concerns related to the Senator’s anticipated service as Secretary, they will share those concerns with Senator and President Clinton for appropriate action.

— During her tenure as Secretary of State, should she be nominated and confirmed, President Clinton will share any proposed consultant relationships with State Department ethics officials, and the same procedures outlined above will apply here as well.

“None of these protocols is required by any law, and all of them go above and beyond the requirements of the law to avoid even the appearance of a conflict of interest. The procedures are, of course, in addition, to the already extensive laws and regulations government the activities of spouses of federal officials (such as those outlined in 5 USC 208 and related regulations).”

Gates To Stay On As Defense Secretary

President-Elect Barack Obama is looking to extend his Cabinet from a Team of Rivals to a bi-partisan team as well. Roberts Gates will remain as Defense Secretary. Considering who he replaced, Gates has served with nobility and humility, two characteristics lacking from Donald Rumsfeld. He will work well with the Obama team.

From US News and World Report:

Print and broadcast media are reporting that Defense Secretary Bob Gates will continue on in the Obama Administration for at least one year. ABC World News reported Gates “will stay on for at least the first year of the new Obama Administration.” NBC Nightly News also said Gates “will now likely remain in office at the Pentagon for at least another year,” while the CBS Evening News reported “the official announcement is expected early next week. The Chicago Tribune also reports the story.

On its front page, the Washington Post reports, “Some sources described a ‘rolling transition,’ in which Gates would stay on during a phased changeover of key political appointees at the Pentagon. Others said he could stay in the job indefinitely.” The Politico says “Gates has been negotiating with Obama emissaries over his deputies” and “how the Pentagon will be run.” The Wall Street Journal also reports the story.

Media analyses last night and this morning generally praised Gates’ performance at DOD, and cast Obama’s decision in markedly positive terms. The Chicago Tribune reports that “along with his non-partisan appeal, Gates is valued as a careful steward whose execution of White House policy.”

The Politico reports “the selection of a member of President George W. Bush’s inner circle allows Obama to deliver on his promise of a bipartisan Cabinet, even though Gates has an intelligence background and has not been an active Republican.”

CNN’s The Situation Room reported Gates’ “appeal…is obvious. He’s probably the most admired member of the Bush cabinet, winning plaudits for his pragmatic approach and willingness to hold people accountable.” On its front page, the New York Times reports, “Some Democrats who have advised his campaign quietly complained that he was undercutting his own message and risked alienating war critics who formed his initial base of support.”

Also on its front page, the Washington Post reports the move could “probably disappoint some on the left of the Democratic Party, who would prefer a clear and sharp break with Bush-era policies.” Bloomberg News, AP, AFP and Washington Times also report the story.

On MSNBC’s Hardball, Richard Wolffe of Newsweek said Gates “has been trying to maneuver for this one for a long time. He got a lot of support on the Hill. He convinced the incoming Administration.”