Susan Rice - New National Security Adviser

Does Obama like to make bold moves? He proved it today by reshaping his national security team. To top the list, U.N. ambassador Susan Rice will replace Tom Donilon who is retiring and becomes the new National Security Adviser. To take her place, the President says that he would nominate Samantha Power from the National Security Council to Succeed Rice at the U.N.  This shows that President Obama wants to have a potentially more robust foreign policy in his second term.
But still again, President Obama angered the Republicans by nominating Susan Rice to the new post. They of course want more details on the matter from the President because they believe this nomination was politically motivated. Ignoring the criticism to date, President Obama made reference to Rice during the announcement as he claims that she is "fearless, tough" who promotes justice and human dignity.
So now she gets to head the national security team and Obama is very very happy about this nomination.
Yes, she did not get the nomination for Secretary of State to follow Hillary Clinton, because of a speech she made directly after the Benghazi attacks, but now she's given another chance, and it will be interesting to see how the Republicans retaliate as they always do. But because it is not a Cabinet post, the Senate does not have to confirm the appointment, so Obama avoids a showdown with the Republicans over the nomination going to Rice. The Republicans label this nomination as a "slap in the face", but the President really doesn't care. He now has the freedom to do what he feels he must do without another election hanging over his head.
One of Susan Rice's jobs, she will play a key role with the development and guidance of Obama's foreign policy.

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Hilary Clinton expected to Step down in January 2013

With the Bush tax cuts expiring at the end of the year, it's as if the President doesn't have enough on his plate. In another event that should happen at the same time that the Bush tax expire, there should be a change in command when it comes to the position of Secretary of State.
Yes, Hilary Clinton is now expected to retire in January. So now a political guessing game will take place in trying to decide who President Obama will nominate for the position to replace her. Do you think this is precedence to a bid for the White House for Hilary Clinton in 2016? Personally, I do not believe that Hilary will run, especially since she ran against Obama for the Democratic nomination in 2012 and is already at age 65, which means she would have to endure a presidential run in just 3 years at age 68 and fulfill her first term in office as President at age 73. Three candidates that may be considered for the position is Democratic Senator John Kerry, U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice, and National Security adviser  Tom Donilon. Personally, I believe that President Obama will nominate Susan Rice. As for John Kerry, that would mean a potential loss of a democratic Senate seat for Massachusetts.
So what else is in store for Obama's core national security team? How about speculation that Defense Secretary Leon Panetta will step down in mid-2013. Two possible successors for him include his deputy, Ashton Carter, and former Pentagon Security Chief Michele Flournoy, whom if elected to that position would be the very first female defense secretary.

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