...Republicans, who will begin control of the Senate in January, generally praised the nominee, as did Democrats.

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., the incoming chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, called Carter "highly competent," but questioned how much influence he would have over "the tight circle around the president who apparently control the entire strategic decision-making process."

Upcoming hearings "will provide a valuable opportunity to fully ventilate all of issues around this administration's feckless foreign policy, and its grave consequences for the safety and security of our nation," McCain said.

Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, which will hold hearings on Carter's nomination, said "his command of national security policy and his commitment to our men and women in uniform will serve him well as our next Secretary of Defense." (...)