[Magdalen] Presidential nominees (was Re: Eternal Father, Strong to Save)

[Roger Stokes]

John brings up an important point. In normal times government can carry 
on without people confirmed in some key positions When things go wrong 
you want someone confirmed in the substantive (rather than acting) 
position to stand in front of the media to make an official response. 
Obviously it takes time when there is a change in administration to 
identify nominees and get them confirmed in post by the Senate but I 
beliebe the process this year has been slower than normal. This has not 
been helped by Mr Trump requiring all politically-appointed ambassadors 
to resign in January and I have read that many otherwise-qualified 
people are not willing to be nominated by the current POTUS.

Career officers in whatever department (State or Defense in this case) 
are committed to their responsibilities and will do the best job they 
can but there are times such as this when you need the #1 rather than 
their stand-in to front what is being said. Allied to that, though 
without the tragic content, there has been comment today this side of 
the pond that the Queen's Speech opening the new session of Parliament 
made no mention of the projected State Visit by President Trump. The 
official reason is that no date has yet been agreed. Might it be that 
the UK government thinks there should be a US Ambassador, who would be 
an important guest at the State Banquet, in place before then?

Roger

On 21/06/2017 21:38, John Robison wrote:
> Since Mom Died, I've come to appreciate him more and more.
> One of my friends says its more like to confirmed bachelor brothers.
> He's on the phone now with some one he worked with in the Gunner Office.
> He's become quite agitated, for him,
> This would be easier in some ways if we had an Ambassador and/or SecNav.