Gen. Jones leading choice for national security post
« Thread Started on Nov 21, 2008, 4:31pm »

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Gen. Jones leading choice for national security post
Posted: 09:27 AM ET
By Ed Henry
CNN White House Correspondent
CHICAGO, Illinois (CNN) — Retired Marine Gen. Jim Jones has emerged as
President-elect Obama’s leading choice to become White House national security
adviser, according to two sources close to the transition.

The sources said Jones has been given the impression by the
president-elect that the job is his if he wants it. But the officials said
there are still private discussions underway and no final decision has been
made.The discussions are focused on precisely how much power Jones - who is
used to being in a command role - will have in the staff.

Among his many posts, Jones served for several years as the operational
commander for NATO.

In the third and final presidential debate, Obama noted that he deeply
values advice from Jones, who has four decades of military service.

One person close to the transition noted Jones is a bipartisan figure who
has warm relationships with both current Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who
may stay on the job for at least a brief period, as well as Sen. Hillary
Clinton, who is believed to be on track to be nominated as Secretary of State
after Thanksgiving.

CNN first reported last week that Jones was receiving serious
consideration for the position of either national security adviser or Energy
Secretary.