Obama: "I expect them to implement that vision once decisions made."

Obama: "I'm A Strong Believer In Strong Personalities"

By Greg Sargent - December 1, 2008, 1:53PM

A couple more quick points about today's Obama presser. First, it was striking how comfortable Obama appeared in a take-charge role when on a stage dominated by heavy hitters like Robert Gates and Hillary Clinton -- and how visibly they deferred to him.

Also, it wasn't until Obama himself announced the appointment of Hillary as Secretary of State that it became clear just how well it reflects on him. The sight of him hailing her strength, toughness and suitability to the huge challenges ahead -- even as he brushed off reporter chatter about the acrimonious Dem primary -- made for powerful political theater.

We've heard a lot of analysis about how Obama's "team of rivals" approach shows his mature willingness to extend a forgiving hand to rivals and his confidence that he can control them within his own orbit. But I'd argue this isn't so much about his interpersonal style as it is about the sense he is trying to project that he possesses a gravity and sense of seriousness appropriate to the enormity of the tasks before him.

The message is that only the best will do; previous rivalries or petty subplots generated in the press as a result of his picks be damned. Here's how Obama himself described his approach today: