Help Wanted

Steve Clemons at The Washington Note has some speculation as to who will be the new Deputy Secretary of State. The position has been open for several weeks since Robert Zoellick left the job and is the second highest ranking position with the Department of State.

Clemons’ top pick is current Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs R. Nicholas Burns. I agree with the choice and I don’t think it would come as a shock to anyone at State. Under Secretary Burns is a very impressive fellow and has shot up the ranks of the department in record time. He was kind enough to come and speak with our A-100 class and then to later host a light reception for us along with several other VIP’s of State. He’s the kind of guy who hears your name once and remembers it, genuinely pays attention to you while you speak, and will listen to your opinion even if he doesn’t agree with it. Basically, he is what you think of when you think “diplomat.”

Clemons mentions several other candidates who’s names are apparently floating about the halls of the 7th Floor of Foggy Bottom. He’s in a much better position than most at State to hear these sorts of rumors so I’ll leave that speculation to him.