So, who should be the Bush administration's nominee to be a pro-reform US ambassador to the UN? Why not former Reagan-era US ambassador to Hungary and vice president of the board of Freedom House and supreme expert on UN reform and democratization Mark Palmer? A Republican widely respected by both Republicans and Democrats for his incredible human rights advocacy with stellar credentials on democratization issues, Palmer would sail through confirmation hearings and would do miracles at the UN. Palmer was advocating democratization in the Middle East and around the globe before it was cool, and the man has a vision, not just a plan to kick the dog and break the crockery as Bolton. Palmer is not fuzzy eyed about the UN by any stretch of the imagination. And the people who worked for him actually respect him and speak highly of him, again unlike Bolton. As do Palmer's former bosses, like George Shultz.

Another suggestion? Rep. Frank Wolf (R-Va) who has done more to try to mobilize Congressional and presidential action on the genocide in Darfur, to try to get Liberia's Charles Taylor extradited from Nigeria to face justice, on African life and death and human rights issues in general than most any other serving Congressman I've seen.

Wild card choice? Why not Bill or Melinda Gates?

Update -- Reader Suggestions: Reader Caitlyn Antrim, who directs the Center for Leadership in Global Diplomacy, suggests George H.W. Bush. "My wild card choice is former UN Ambassador George H.W. Bush. As a former UN rep and father of the President, he be the definitive representative. His reputation for honesty is better than that of his son. And unlike any other former president, there should not be concern that he will undercut the sitting president." And Bill Clinton would be just down the hall.

Posted by Laura at April 20, 2005 12:44 AM