Comments on: Richardson to fill the “Ignatius” gap? http://blog.psaonline.org/2008/12/03/richardson-and-foreign-policy-a-quick-comment/ Fri, 05 Mar 2010 21:29:47 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Brian http://blog.psaonline.org/2008/12/03/richardson-and-foreign-policy-a-quick-comment/comment-page-1/#comment-1444060 Brian Thu, 04 Dec 2008 03:51:07 +0000 http://blog.psaonline.org/?p=851#comment-1444060 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. 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.

]]> By: HS http://blog.psaonline.org/2008/12/03/richardson-and-foreign-policy-a-quick-comment/comment-page-1/#comment-1443551 HS Wed, 03 Dec 2008 20:42:20 +0000 http://blog.psaonline.org/?p=851#comment-1443551 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. 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.

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