December 9, 2006
WHICH MAKES HIM THE HIGHEST RANKING ON THE PLANET:
Inside Report: Bolton's Successor (Robert Novak, 12/09/06, Real Clear Politics)
Zalmay Khalilzad, who was announced this week as leaving as U.S. ambassador to Iraq, is the leading prospect to replace John Bolton as envoy to the United Nations.President Bush was reported by aides as looking for someone who approximates Bolton's combination of toughness and diplomatic skill and has tentatively decided on Khalilzad. A native of Afghanistan, he has served in government posts dating back to 1985 and is the highest-ranking Muslim in the Bush administration.
Posted by Orrin Judd at December 9, 2006 10:15 AM
Seems like a good pick on the surface if he is indeed in the Bolton mold. And having a muslim arguing against Syria, Iran, etc at the UN can't hurt.
But of course he would have to get by the Dem Senate first.
Posted by: AWW at December 9, 2006 11:34 AM"he would have to get by the Dem Senate first" Can the Dems afford not to? Do they dare demonize a Muslim? Without being demonized, he will sail thru.
Posted by: ic at December 9, 2006 2:20 PMI'm optimistic about this because I think Bush is a good judge of character. I can't wait to hear the shrieks of outrage if this guy turns out to be John Bolton with a foreign-sounding name, only with built-in p.c. protection that averts the usual MSM hatchet jobs.
The next two years will be one laugh after another if indications so far are anything to go by.
Posted by: Matt Murphy at December 9, 2006 2:44 PMIf he's the guy, then he should start issuing fatwas from the UN podium. He can start with Syria.
Posted by: ratbert at December 9, 2006 10:03 PM