Spin Cycle

Obama has announce his national security team at a presser in Chicago -- including, as expected, Hillary to State, Jones as National Security Adviser, Gates to Defense, Holder to Justice, Susan Rice to UN, Napolitano to Homeland Security.

For Hillary, he outlines some pretty specific goals at State -- "from preventing the spread of nuclear weapons to Iran and North Korea, to seeking a lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinians, to strengthening international institutions."

He gives each nominee a few minutes for remarks and, like him, they emphasize the breadth of the challenges, the need to use all elements of American power (military, intel, diplomatic, economic). Hillary promises to "give it my all," and thanks New Yorkers for the "joy of a job I love" and the "opportunity to work on issues that I love."

But she says the challenges faced by the country and the needs of the troops and others in foreign service required her to answer duty's call, calling State "the best way to continue serving my country."

"I am proud to join you on what will be ... a difficult and exciting adventure."

Unfortunately, it was not a rationale that exactly dispelled the notion that New York was always a stepping stone for her great ambitions for herself, and representing the people of the state was never an end in itself.