OBAMA'S RECIPE FOR STRONG DEFENSE: Requires Strong Beliefs, Strong Personalities, Strong Opinions, with Vigourous Debate

MSNBC Reports: December 1, 2008, Bullet Excerpts from President-Elect Obama's National Security Team Press Conference.

TEAM OF SUPPORTING RIVALS

• National Security Team shares consensus
• I will be Setting Policy as President
• I will be Responsible for the Vision
• I will expect them to implement that vision once decisions are made.
• "The Buck Stops with Me."
• I did not ask for assurances from these individuals that they would agree with me at all times.
• On the Broad Core Vision where America needs to go - We are almost in complete agreement
• There are going to be differences in tactics, and different assessments, and judgements made,
• That is what I expect that is what I welcome
• That is why I asked them to join the team.