Bush names Schieffer as ambassador to Japan

[struggle4progress]

Sunday, January 23, 2005 at 07:38 JST
WASHINGTON — U.S. President George W Bush announced Friday the nomination of his longtime Texas friend Thomas Schieffer as ambassador to Japan, replacing Howard Baker who leaves the post Feb 17.

Schieffer, 57, ambassador to Australia since 2001, has been a close friend of Bush since the Texas days, and they got to know each other well through their involvement with the Texas Rangers baseball team. Experts say Schieffer will probably become one of the closest people to the president to hold the Japan post, making it easier to report directly to Bush and to get the White House policies reflected in Japan. (Kyodo News)

http://www.japantoday.com/e/?content=news&cat=1&id=325501


<snip> Schieffer, Bush's nominee as ambassador to Australia, is the former president of the Texas Rangers baseball team who worked with Bush when the former Texas governor was part owner of the team. Schieffer is also a Dallas attorney whose clients reportedly include several oil and gas companies.

Schieffer served three terms in the Texas legislature as a Democrat. But he was a supporter of Bush's campaigns for governor and president. His brother, Bob, is a CBS News correspondent. <snip>

http://www.opensecrets.org/bush/ambassadors/schieffer.asp

[blm]

1. Gee, I wonder what Chris Matthew's brother will get from BushInc?

.

[hlthe2b]

2. "His brother, Bob, is a CBS News correspondent."......

Well, well.... I'm sure that completes the CBS reversal in coverage, if the Rather smearjob wasn't enough.

[billbuckhead]

3. What a coincidence that his brother moderated one of the debates.