Obama meets with foreign policy group

Obama also was meeting Wednesday with nearly 40 retired admirals and generals to discuss the state of the military and the challenges in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere.

Obama plans to consult the working group members regularly between now and the Nov. 4 election, but those sitting with him in the two meetings would be likely picks to serve in high posts if he is elected. They could be secretaries of defense or state, national security advisers or maybe even a running mate.

Former Pentagon leaders are among Obama’s possible vice presidential picks, those who have been consulted on the search process have said. The first-term Illinois senator may look for a military or national security expert to help counter Republican candidate John McCain, a Vietnam War hero.

Other working group members include Sam Nunn of Georgia, Lee Hamilton of Indiana, David Boren of Oklahoma and Tim Roemer of Indiana, former Democratic lawmakers known for their foreign policy expertise. It also includes several Clinton administration officials – Tony Lake, Susan Rice, Greg Craig, Eric Holder, Richard Danzig and Jim Steinberg. Holder, a former deputy attorney general, is helping lead Obama’s search for a running mate.

In a statement, Obama said the national security stakes could not be higher.

“It’s time to change course,” Obama said. “It’s time to end the war in Iraq responsibly, refocus on Afghanistan and al-Qaida, and renew our global leadership so that we can tackle the huge challenges of the 21st century.”