Obama Can Do Better Than Rice at State

Dana Milbank thinks she's an 'undiplomatic diplomat'
By John Johnson,  Newser Staff
Posted Nov 17, 2012 11:22 AM CST
Obama Can Do Better Than Rice at State
Susan Rice, ambassador to the U.N., speaks on "Face the Nation" on Sept. 16, 2012.   (AP Photo/CBS News, Chris Usher)

President Obama has decided to stick up for UN ambassador Susan Rice in a big way, and Dana Milbank of the Washington Post thinks that's too bad. John McCain is right about one thing, he argues: "She is ill-equipped to be the nation’s top diplomat." It's not because of Benghazi, however, but rather her "undiplomatic" ways, even by DC standards. Milbank runs down a list of her past run-ins with the likes of Hillary Clinton, Richard Holbrooke (she once flipped him off at a meeting), and McCain, and concludes that she'd be a lousy pick to run the State Department.

If the president decides to go with her anyway, it might not matter: She's made so many enemies in both parties, she would probably lose the confirmation vote. "The nation’s top diplomat needs to show more sensitivity and independence—traits Clinton has demonstrated in abundance," he writes. "Obama can do better at State than Susan Rice." Read the full column here. (More Susan Rice stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X