re: #13 Killgore Trout

Before everybody gets too carried away let’s remember a little history here; Bush sent the Secretary of State. At least Obama only sent a low level outreach stooge…..
From State Dept., Advice for Muslim Convention

That is incorrect and a tenuous characterization at best:

1. Bush did not send the Secretary of State to this convention but Karen Hughes who was Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs.

2. The position of Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs is subject to nomination and subject to congressional approval.

3. Valerie Jarrett is not “some stooge” sent on behalf of the Obama White House. She is Senior Advisor and Assistant to the President for Intergovernmental Affairs and Public Engagement.

4. The Senior Advisor and Assistant to the President for Intergovernmental Affairs and Public Engagement position is not subject to the nomination process and congressional approval. She is White House staff member and a part of the White House Office of Public Engagement.

The differences are distinct and Valerie Jarrett is an executive member of the White House staff.