"Five good things Obama said today

By Barb Shelly, Kansas City Star editorial page columnist

Barack Obama pushed some really important buttons today in his remarks as he introduced the nominees for his security team.

What I most appreciated:

1)"I will be giving Secretary (Robert) Gates and our military a new mission as soon as I take office: responsibly ending the war in Iraq through a successful transition to Iraqi control."

Supporters of the current strategy will say that's the current mission. But Obama is putting some urgency behind it. He went on to say that a new focus will be placed on a strategy and resources to succeed in Afghanistan.

2)"Let me be clear: the Attorney General serves the American people. And I have every expectation that Eric (Holder) will protect our people, uphold the public trust, and adhere to our Constitution."

This is a pointed departure from the mindset that got Alberto Gonzales run out of the attorney general's post in George W. Bush's second term. Gonzales never made the transition from being a political operative to a guardians of the Constitution and the rights of U.S. citizens.

3)"She (Janet Napolitano, the Homeland Security secretary nominee) insists on competence and accountability."

There's a concept. It sounds like a rebuke of the good-old-boy hiring that led to the disastrous response to Hurricane Katrina.

4)"America must also be strong at home to be strong abroad. We need to provide education and opportunity for our citizens, so every American can compete with anyone, anywhere."

Education at the K-12 level is primarily a state responsibility. But Obama talks about it often, raising hopes that he'll use his stature to take on the culture of failure that hangs over too many school districts, schools and students.

5)"My dear friend, Hillary Clinton."

What a different a few months make."