Biden calls team 'most talented' ever

CHICAGO, Dec. 1 (UPI) -- National security team nominees are prepared to meet today's challenges and tomorrow's emerging threats, U.S. Vice President-elect Joe Biden said Monday.

"I hope and believe that the American people will come to feel as I do that we brought together one of the most talented national security teams ever assembled," Biden said at a news conference in Chicago, during which President-elect Barack Obama introduced his national security team. "A team prepared to meet the serious challenges we face today and the emerging threats that will confront us tomorrow."

Obama designated Sen. Hillary Clinton as his secretary of state and said he asked Robert Gates to continue as defense secretary. Obama also named Eric Holder as attorney general, Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano as homeland security secretary, Susan Rice as ambassador to the United Nations and retired U.S. Marine Gen. Jim Jones as his national security adviser.

Each nominee "has a clear understanding of the forces that are shaping this new century and the lives of our fellow Americans," Biden said. "Each member shares our conviction that strength and wisdom must go hand in hand. Each member believes, as we do, that America's security is not a partisan issue."