President-elect Joe Biden is reportedly eyeing ex-fellow Democratic primary candidate Pete Buttigieg as his pick for ambassador to China.
This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://talkingpointsmemo.com/?p=1348202
This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://talkingpointsmemo.com/?p=1348202
If Pete and his husband are willing to live there, it would send a very powerful and not subtle message to China. And move us away from tariffs back to core issues.
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Seems like an excellent choice. He can add Mandarin to the list of languages he speaks.
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I think this would be a great appointment, both for Pete and the US. It would give him experience in international affairs and set him up for higher positions. He is still quite young and we could see him serving as SOS and POTUS at some point.
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No place I’d want to be assigned to. Would he and his partner be welcomed in China? I have my doubts.
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Pete’s a brilliant guy but I don’t think the China ambassadorship is a “learn on the job” kind of posting. Why not send him to a country that’s a bit lower stakes?
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Mayor Pete would be a great choice for almost any cabinet or diplomatic appointment.
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Canny move, if so. Mayor Pete becomes Amb Pete.
While Buttigieg may prove more helpful in subsequent roles domestically-- there is a measure of suave and sophistication with him as Biden’s liaison in a hopeful post-isolation relationship.
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Exactly. He’s just a brilliant guy and he has a way about him that I find infinitely charming. He was made for diplomatic relations. I don’t know a thing about how China treats LGBTQ individuals. Does anyone have any info on that?
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Perhaps the EU, where we had pretty good relationships, but that now need to be patched up and restored. Calm, intelligent reassurance could go a long way to removing the Trumpist stain.
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Interesting choice
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I think he is a very good choice for a position in the Biden administration. Somehow this one doesn’t seem the right fit to me but I’m willing to be proved wrong.
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I like Buttigieg and want to see him in a prominent role in the administration. Buttigieg is an effective domestic mouthpiece/pitbull for Biden (which would be lost if he’s abroad.) Ambassador to China seems like exile to me. Also, that role really needs to go to an experienced diplomat/warrior.
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Why China’s LGBT hide their identities at Lunar New Year
Lots of articles online about China and LGBT. Think about repressive governments and their willingness to accept non-traditional people. A tough assignment if this happens.
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This was my only concern about the idea. Other than wanting to ensure the safety of Pete and his husband, I think this is a brilliant idea. He has the kind of calm, finesse that is needed in this role. What a change after erratic donnie, the Chinese will need to recalibrate. This would go a long way to regaining grudging respect for America from the Chinese.
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I don’t know, China doesn’t seem like a good choice to me. We need to have someone there who knows more about China, perhaps speaks the language, and who gives China the sense that they are getting an ambassador commensurate with their stature in the world. Pete is talented and smart, but I don’t think there’s much in his resume to make him look like a heavy hitter to the Chinese government. And he’s not going to learn enough Mandarin to be able to use in the job for at least a few years. We don’t need someone who “allegedly” speaks the language like GW Bush allegedly spoke Spanish.
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I think Mayor Pete has seen his 15 minutes of fame. Let’s not forget, he couldn’t even manage South Bend. I’m sure there are more qualified candidates.
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Why not send him to a country that’s a bit lower stakes?
Mayor Pete as journeyman ambassador? Don’t think so. Pete’s a high profile guy but I would be impressed if he accepted a lower less important ambassador position.
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“Seems like exile”
That was my first take.
I’d rather they send Obama’s man, Gary Locke, back. He is part Chinese and actually speaks Mandarin. He is the current chancellor of my alma mater, Bellevue College, and former governor of Washington State.
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He’s an ex-Spook who served in Afghanistan. I don’t have the expertise to know whether he’s the sole/best choice, but I’d say he’s pretty good at “learn on the job.”
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