Obama’s Choice for U.N. Is Advocate of Strong Action Against Mass Killings

[ProSense]

Obama’s Choice for U.N. Is Advocate of Strong Action Against Mass Killings

By PETER BAKER
Published: November 30, 2008

CHICAGO — President-elect Barack Obama has chosen his foreign policy adviser, Susan E. Rice, to be ambassador to the United Nations, picking an advocate of “dramatic action” against genocide as he rounds out his national security team, Democrats close to the transition said Sunday.

Mr. Obama intends to announce Ms. Rice’s selection at a news conference here Monday along with his previously reported decisions to nominate Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton for secretary of state, keep Robert M. Gates as defense secretary and appoint Gen. James L. Jones, a retired Marine commandant, his national security adviser, the Democrats said.

The choice of Ms. Rice to represent the United States before the United Nations will make her one of the most visible faces of the Obama administration to the outside world aside from Mrs. Clinton. It will also send to the world organization a prominent and forceful advocate of stronger action, including military force if necessary, to stop mass killings like those in the Darfur region of Sudan in recent years.

To reinforce his intention to work more closely with the United Nations after the tensions of President Bush’s tenure, Mr. Obama plans to restore the ambassador’s post to cabinet rank, as it was under President Bill Clinton, according to Democrats close to the transition.

While the cabinet consists of 15 department heads, a president can give other positions the same rank for the duration of his administration.

“She’s obviously one of Obama’s closest advisers, so it underscores how much of a priority he’s making the position,” said Nancy Soderberg, a senior United States diplomat at the United Nations under Mr. Clinton. “If you look at the last eight years, we obviously need to be more engaged at the U.N. and realistic about what the U.N. can do.”

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If confirmed, Ms. Rice at 44 would be the second-youngest ambassador to the United Nations. A Rhodes scholar who earned a doctorate in international relations at Oxford University, she joined Mr. Clinton’s National Security Council staff in 1993 before rising to assistant secretary of state for African affairs at age 32. When Mr. Obama decided to run for president, she signed up as one of his top advisers, much to the consternation of the Clinton camp, which resented what it saw as a defection.

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[David Dunham]

1. I don't think the US public will support spending billions on this during a recession.

[NYC_SKP]

2. Who do you think Obama will pick for SOS?

:rofl:

j/k j/k j/k j/k j/k!!!!!!!

[ProSense]

3. Susan Rice biography

Susan Rice biography

By The Associated Press The Associated Press

NAME — Susan Elizabeth Rice

BIRTH YEAR — 1964

EXPERIENCE — Senior foreign policy adviser, Barack Obama presidential campaign, 2008; senior fellow in foreign policy, Brookings Institution, 2002-present; senior adviser for national security affairs, John F. Kerry presidential campaign, 2004; assistant secretary of state for African affairs, 1997-2001; special assistant to the president and senior director for African affairs, National Security Council, 1995-1997; director for international organizations and peacekeeping, National Security Council, 1993-1995; management consultant, McKinsey and Co., 1991-93.

EDUCATION — B.A., history, Stanford University, 1986; M.Phil., international relations, Oxford University, 1988; D.Phil., Oxford University, 1990.

FAMILY — Husband, Ian Cameron.

[JI7]

4. personally i think Susan Rice would have been a better pick for Secretary of State

and Hillary Clinton for United Nations.

but it's good Susan Rice will have some say either way. and she might actually help make the UN stronger. and maybe she will be SOS in 4 years.

[Captain Hilts]

6. I was rooting for Rice as SoS and HRC as AG - the R's nightmare as AG!

But this is all good.

Man, what a lineup we've got!

[Captain Hilts]

5. Good!