Richardson to fill the “Ignatius” gap?
As PSA readers probably know, I was hopeful that President-elect Obama would pick Bill Richardson for Secretary of State. As I wrote a few weeks ago, this was not a commentary on other candidates but in support of an individual with valuable negotiating skills. Of course, Sen. Clinton has been nominated for the Secretary of State position and in a few hours Gov. Richardson will be nominated for Sec. Commerce.
The end of the matter? Maybe, maybe not.
When it became clear that Clinton would end up as Sec. State, I was still convinced that Gov. Richardson would end up in the cabinet because President Obama will want to have him close at hand to provide counsel on foreign policy issues and at times to act as the Presidents emissary. Now, many of you may disagree with that theory but consider this comment from David Ignatius speaking to David Gregory yesterday evening on MSNBC and ask who could fill the role being described (also note this is an imperfect transcript of DI’s comment):
“You put your finger on what I think is the biggest weakeness of the team. What it needs most of all is a strategist. A kind of secret emissary in the style of Henry Kissinger or Zig Brzezinski who can go out in the coming months and explore, perhaps in secret missions this agenda of opportunities and problems. The administration will have to decide fairly quickly what among the list it wants to focus on, what is doable… You can’t send the Secretary of State there with a plane load of reporters and get it done. You need that person. Who will emerge in that role? I’m not sure.”
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While I may disagree with you in regards to Gov. Richardson being the ideal Secretary of State, your point is well taken that a person of his knowledge and expertise is close to Obama. He might, as David Ignatius pointed out, become the “secret emissary” of the Obama Administration. Two other possible candidates: Wesley Clark and Colin Powell. Having the ear of President Obama, without a formal appointment, could free those two to provide the needed deal maker for 44.
Comment on December 3, 2008 @ 1:42 pm
I wouldn’t be surprised if Richardson gets to do some shuttle diplomacy outside the usual purview of Commerce secretary. But I don’t think he seems like a “strategist” so much s an excellent tactical negotiator. Also, as a former presidential candidate, he may be too public a figure for the “secret emissary” role.
One person who might gradually emerge as both a “strategist” and a “secret emissary” is Mona Sutphen, one of the deputy chiefs of staff. The book she co-wrote on America’s role among the new “pivotal powers” seems to show that she has a strategic vision, her experience as a career diplomat and international business consultant prepares her to be an emissary, and the fact that he job isn;t usually thought of as one of the main foreign policy positions might help her stay relatively “secret” on any diplomatic missions.
Comment on December 3, 2008 @ 8:51 pm