Obama Nominates Ashton Carter For Defense Secretary

Ashton Carter served as deputy defense secretary under Leon Panetta and Chuck Hagel.

President Barack Obama announced Ashton Carter as his nominee for defense secretary Friday morning.

Carter has more than 30 years in service and was deputy defense secretary under Leon Panetta and Chuck Hagel.

Calling him a "one of our nation's foremost national security leaders," Obama praised Carter's experience working with both Democrat and Republican secretaries.

"He knows the department of defense inside and out, all of which means that on day one, he's going to hit the ground running," Obama said.

The president also acknowledged Carter's love for the men and women in the military.

"I accepted the president's offer to be nominated for the deep respect and abiding love that [I] have for the men and women in uniform," Carter said.

The press conference wouldn't be complete without some humor from the president.

"Ash is a big Motown fan and one of his favorites is a classc by The Four Tops, 'Reach Out, I'll Be There," Obama said. "So Ash, I'm not reaching out to you."

Obama also commented on the economy and the news that last month, American businesses created more than 300,000 jobs.

"Over the last four years, we've put more people back to work than Europe, Japan, and all other advanced economies combined."

"Last month, America's businesses created more than 300,000 jobs." —President Obama

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