Kathy Sullivan and U.S. Rep. Paul Hodes (D-Concord) are praising President-elect Barack Obama for naming U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton's (D-N.Y.) his nominee for secretary of state.

"It is a great appointment," Sullivan, Clinton's former New Hampshire co-chair, said Monday in an e-mail to PolitickerNH.com. "Hillary Clinton is smart, experienced and well liked and respected around the world.  It is a tough job, especially given the number of crises facing us today, but she certainly is up to the challenge."

Hodes echoed Sullivan's sentiment and touted Obama's national security team.

"President-elect Barack Obama has again shown that he will put politics aside and reach across the aisle to do what is in the best interests of the United States," Hodes said in a press release. "He has assembled an experienced, strong team that will help restore America's standing throughout the world, protect our borders, fight America's enemies abroad, and responsibly end the war in Iraq. We must now come together to rally around a new leader, a new team, and a new direction that will help keep America secure."

Update:

U.S. Rep. Carol Shea-Porter (D-Rochester) issued the following statement:

“President-elect Obama has once again shown decisive and balanced leadership with the selection of his national security team.  With two wars abroad and continued threats at home, President-elect Obama understands that our top priority must be the safety and security of the American people.  Each member of the President-elect’s national security team offers a wealth of experience, significant knowledge, and a deep commitment to our nation.

Today’s announcement is good news for the American people and for our friends and allies around the world.”

U.S. Sen. Judd Gregg (R-Rye) issued the following statement:

“President-elect Obama's choice of Senator Hillary Clinton to be Secretary of State means that America will continue to have a spokesperson to the world who is genuinely respected, who sees the world as it is, and who gives substance and depth to the office. Like Secretary Condoleezza Rice, Hillary is an excellent person to carry the message of America around the world, and I congratulate President-elect Obama on his continued efforts to surround himself with talented people.”