WASHINGTON—Senator Evan Bayh today issued the following statement in response to the announcement of President-elect Barack Obama’s national security team:

“In the national security realm, it takes experience and continuity to bring about real and lasting change. The outstanding team assembled by President-elect Obama is uniquely capable of harnessing all of the tools of American power to advance our security interests.

“Last week’s terrorist attacks in Mumbai were a vivid reminder that extremist groups remain capable of organizing despicable acts of mass murder across the globe. Retaining Secretary Gates at the Pentagon sends a reassuring signal that America will not relent in the struggle to root out terrorist threats. He has earned broad respect from both Democrats and Republicans in Congress and will help reestablish the tradition of politics stopping at the water’s edge as we work to responsibly extricate ourselves from two wars abroad.

“The selection of Senator Clinton shows that our incoming president values strong, independent voices at the highest level of his government. She is widely respected by leaders throughout the world and is ideally suited to channel the energies of other nations in the cause of protecting America’s interests.

“This experienced team will help the Obama administration recapture our best traditions of strong and pragmatic American leadership in a dangerous world.”

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