MSNBC - Interview -Transcript

Interview

MSNBC INTERVIEW WITH SENATOR JACK REED (D-NV)

SUBJECT: OBAMA ADMINISTRATION APPOINTMENTS INTERVIEWER: ANDREA MITCHELL

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MS. MITCHELL: And we begin with Democratic Senator Jack Reed, a member of the Senate Banking Committee and a member of the Armed Sevices Committee. Joining us live in Washington is a key advisor to Barack Obama. Welcome. Very good to see you, Senator. Thanks for joining us.

SEN. REED: Thank you, Andrea.

MS. MITCHELL: Well, we've seen the economic team so far. Let me ask you about the national security team to come. Without giving anything away, widely reported and confirmed that Hillary Clinton is the likely next secretary of state. We've heard a lot about Jim Jones as the national security advisor, perhaps Jim Steinberg as secretary of state, currently (designated ?) deputy secretary. How is this national security team shaping up since you are such an expert on the Armed Services Committee?

SEN. REED: I think you'd say rather exceptionally well. I think you're getting individuals with great experience, great judgement. Senator Clinton is someone I respect immensely. She has a worldwide kind of reputation but a well-earned reputation for her skill and for her ability. I think she'll add tremendously.

Jim Steinberg is a veteran of the Clinton administration National Security Council. He'll be a key figure as a deputy, if that's the decision ultimately Senator Obama makes. So I think you're seeing a significantly experienced and skilled team. I must say that Jim Jones also brings so much experience as a former commandant of the Marine Corps, someone who has been a committed public servant his entire career. So this is a very strong team.

MS. MITCHELL: Now, if you were a betting person -- and I don't know if you are -- but would that be that Bob Gates would be willing to stay on if the president-elect would want him to start on at the Pentagon?

SEN. REED: Well, my hope is that he would continue to serve. I think Bob Gates has done a remarkable job, and he's established not only policies that make sense, but a tone in the building of respect for the military forces, a thoughtful reaching out to all sides. I think his continuation would be a strong plus and also at a time when, by necessity, the president-elect has to focus on the economy and also at a time when there is continuing threats in the world. I think that continuity offered by Bob Gates would be very, very important for the country.

MS. MITCHELL: Senator, I've been told that you've actually helped bridge some of communications between Bob Gates and Barack Obama. You're at least pretty conversant with what the issues are. Do you see any major obstacles to his continuing?

SEN. REED: Well, I think it's really a judgement that both the president-elect and Secretary Gates have to make. There has to be sense of understanding and rapport. I think there also has to be on Bob's part -- we have to appreciate the sacrifices he made to leave the presidency of Texas A&M, which he loved immensely -- to serve his country and ask him to serve even more than he anticipated.

I'm hopeful, though, that they've -- the chemistry is there, and that they will both see that the future lies in continued service, at least for a period of time, by Secretary Gates.

MS. MITCHELL: As we look forward there are others -- some other rather talented people, Richard Danzig and others that we've heard about as part of his national security team. Do you think that what this president is positioned to -- to take significant steps in Afghanistan and Pakistan, which are arguably the most difficult parts of the foreign policy agenda right now?

SEN. REED: I think he's well positioned, Andrea. Senator Obama and Senator Hagel and I travelled to Afghanistan in July. We saw General McKiernan, the NATO commander and our American commander also. We met with the ambassador. There was a deep appreciation then for the need to concentrate our efforts more, both politically and militarily, in Afghanistan. I think he's well positioned and prepared to do that.

MS. MITCHELL: Is there a role for Senator Hagel? We know he's stepping down from the Senate. Could you imagine him in this administration in some way?

SEN. REED: Well, I'd love to see Chuck Hagel in the administration. He's one of the most talented, decent and thoughtful people that I've had the privilege to work with and know, and I would hope there would be a position. That I'll leave up to both the president-elect and Senator Hagel.

MS. MITCHELL: And should I assume that you have decided to stay in the Senate?

SEN. REED: I'm -- have been honored by the people of Rhode Island to be re-elected, and I hope I can serve my six years in the United States Senate.

MS. MITCHELL: We've been speaking with someone who is continuing to serve in the Senate. Thank you very much, Senator Reed.

END.

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