He is the leaked-rumored-reported-whatever Obama National Security Advisor. Thought I'd post this earlier short profile from the November 10th NYT and other assorted googlings. 65 years old. 6'4" and scary looking. (Don't know if he still plays hoops) Vietnam guy. Top NATO guy. Big on Afghanistan and Energy security. Looks like Obama's Wes Clark. For tea-leaf readers, no reason I can see that would make him a notably good or bad fit with HRC. Bill Clinton appointed him Marine Corps Commandant in 1999. He has worked closely with Obama as a foreign policy and energy advisor during the campaign. IIRC, said his position with the Institute for 21st Century Energy precluded a primary endorsement.
(PS: If everything runs to form expect John Brennan at CIA.)
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The New Team
By THOM SHANKER
Published: November 10, 2008
James L. JonesBeing considered for: Any of the top foreign policy jobs — secretary of state, secretary of defense or national security adviser — or secretary of energy.
Would bring to the job: A four-star résumé and bipartisan admiration. A decorated veteran of the Vietnam War, General Jones also mastered the subtle art of coalition diplomacy during wartime. He served in the military’s most diplomatic of war-fighting assignments: commander of all NATO military forces, which required finding consensus for military action among squabbling member governments when the alliance took over significant portions of the war in Afghanistan.
Is linked to Mr. Obama by: The briefing book. Before President-elect Obama traveled to Afghanistan during the campaign, General Jones briefed him on the American and the Atlantic alliance security and assistance mission there. He also has briefed Mr. Obama on energy policy issues.
In his own words: “Make no mistake, NATO is not winning in Afghanistan.” — The startling assessment of a study this year led by General Jones for the Atlantic Council of the United States, a nongovernmental organization. He also has said that the war in Iraq caused the United States to “take its eye off the ball” in Afghanistan, and has warned that the consequences of failure are just as serious in Afghanistan as they are in Iraq. “Symbolically, it’s more the epicenter of terrorism than Iraq. If we don’t succeed in Afghanistan, you’re sending a very clear message to the terrorist organizations that the U.S., the U.N. and the 37 countries with troops on the ground can be defeated.”
Used to work as: Commandant of the Marine Corps, among other commands during a lifetime of military service. He currently is president and chief executive of the United States Chamber of Commerce Institute for 21st Century Energy, which seeks to find ways to assure that the nation’s energy supply is “adequate, affordable and secure while protecting the environment,” according to the organization’s mission statement.
Carries as baggage: The classical independence of a military officer. He did not serve in the political trenches for the Obama campaign.
Is otherwise known for: Playing basketball for Georgetown (he is 6-foot-4). And, working against the “jarhead” stereotype of the Marine Corps, he is fluent in French.
Résumé includes: Born in Kansas City, Mo., on Dec. 19, 1943. ...Wears the Defense Distinguished Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters; the Silver Star Medal; the Legion of Merit with four gold stars; the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V”; and the Combat Action Ribbon. ...Received a bachelor of science degree in 1966 from Georgetown, which later awarded him an honorary doctorate of letters, in 2002. ...Graduated from the National War College in Washington in 1985. ...Married to the former Diane Johnson of Bethesda, Md. They have four children and seven grandchildren.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/11/us/politics/10web-jones.html___________________________
Other links:
NATO Bio page:http://www.nato.int/shape/bios/saceur/jones.htmWingnut take on him: Obama's Top NSA Pick: Harsh On Israel, Sympathetic To Iran And Hezbollah
http://www.mererhetoric.com/archives/11275103.html
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