U.N. Ambassador John Danforth Resigns

U.N. Ambassador Danforth Resigns (FOX)

U.N. Ambassador John Danforth has handed in his resignation. Danforth, a Republican former Missouri senator, was confirmed to the post by the Senate at the end of June. An Episcopalian priest, he was thrust into the national spotlight after being chosen to officiate at President Reagan’s state funeral. Danforth replaced John Negroponte, who is U.S. ambassador to Iraq. Danforth had been named as a possible replacement for retiring Secretary of State Colin Powell, but the nomination was given to National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice. Her assistant, Stephen Hadley, is taking her place at the top of the National Security Council.

***

An administration official told FOX News that Danforth informed Bush immediately after the election that he wanted to leave his post for personal reasons. The official said Danforth is not being considered for another post. Danforth sent the president a letter Nov. 22, saying that on Jan. 20, it was his intention to retire to his home in St. Louis.

It’s rather odd that Danforth would leave so soon after being appointed to the post. Had I my druthers, Bush would not name a replacement. Since that’s not going to happen, I must say that I find Orrin Judd‘s recommendation of Paul Wolfowitz quite amusing.

FILED UNDER: US Politics, World Politics, , , , , , ,
James Joyner
About James Joyner
James Joyner is Professor of Security Studies at Marine Corps University's Command and Staff College. He's a former Army officer and Desert Storm veteran. Views expressed here are his own. Follow James on Twitter @DrJJoyner.

Comments

  1. I agree that the U.S. shouldn’t name a replacement. On the other hand, look what happened to the Soviets when they had their ambassador boycott security council meetings.

  2. Bithead says:

    Your submission of Wolfowitz’ name as a replacement actually makes some sense, if we assume Bush is going to be playing hardball with the UN. How many more of him are there?

    There are other requireents, though, that need going over. See my extended comments via trackback.

  3. Roy Horton says:

    anyone that freely admits to being a party to bankrupting america as he did on april 21,1992 should resign when they do nothing to make things constitutionally correct again
    he knows the fed is a fraud and admits to doing unforgivable things to this wonderful country just to get elected
    i’m just sorry the rest can’t be impeached fast enough to prevent the american union coming up in early 2005