Wilkins plays it safe as he begins new job of U.S. envoy to Canada

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

WASHINGTON (CP) - South Carolina politician David Wilkins, who starts this week as the new U.S. ambassador to Canada, seems determined to avoid the pitfalls of his predecessor.

Where Paul Cellucci fast developed a reputation as a blunt advocate for President George W. Bush, jumping smack in the middle of bilateral rifts like Canada's defence capabilities and its position on the Iraq war, Wilkins is playing it safe.

Keenly aware of his reputation for knowing little about Canada, a country he visited just once in the 1970s, Wilkins is steering clear for now.

More: http://www.cbc.ca/cp/world/050626/w062630.html

WTF is it with Bush's people? Is stupidity/ineptitude a virtue?

[achtung_circus]

1. stupidity/ineptitude is line #1`on the job description

"two weeks of diplomatic training this month"

I feel a lot better now.

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

4. Appointed by someone who is proud of being a "C" student....

Is this a vendetta against people with brains?

[Canuckistanian]

2. I dunno, he seems to be fairly low-key to me

I like the fact that he admits not knowing anything about Canada and is willing to take the time to learn.

But on the other hand, WHY do they send someone who knows nothing about us? Were there NO diplomats available with even a passing knowledge of Canada-US relations?

Oh, well. Just another political pay-off I suppose. Like the Chimp has never done THAT before.

[glarius]

3. Cellucci was an arrogant, overbearing jerk!

He spent his time as Ambassador travelling across Canada, lecturing us on how we should behave, and think and follow the leader (little Georgie Bush)....If Wilkins just shuts his mouth up...it will be a vast improvement!