Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

It's official.

Yesterday, President Bush nominated Wisconsin Republican Party Chairman Rick Graber to serve as ambassador to the Czech Republic.

NOMINATIONS SENT TO THE SENATE on Thursday, July 13, 2006:

Cindy Lou Courville, of Virginia, to be Representative of the United States of America to the African Union, with the rank and status of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary.

Nora Barry Fischer, of Pennsylvania, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Pennsylvania, vice Robert J. Cindrich, resigned.

Richard W. Graber, of Wisconsin, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Czech Republic.

Sara Elizabeth Lioi, of Ohio, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Ohio, vice Lesley Brooks Wells, retired.

Christopher A. Padilla, of the District of Columbia, to be an Assistant Secretary of Commerce, vice Peter Lichtenbaum.

Calvin L. Scovel, of Virginia, to be Inspector General, Department of Transportation, vice Kenneth M. Mead, resigned.

Steven Walters writes:

[Graber's] appointment requires confirmation by the U.S. Senate, where it will first go before the Foreign Relations Committee, which includes Sen. Russ Feingold (D-Wis.).

In a March 29 statement, Graber said Feingold "fundamentally misunderstands the war on terror" and accused the Democratic senator of "shameless antics" that undermine the war in Iraq.

"Unfortunately, Russ Feingold (is) willing to say and do anything to raise money from the fringes of his own party," Graber added in that statement.

On Wednesday, when asked whether he expected Feingold to fight his appointment as ambassador, Graber would say only that he looks forward to meeting with Feingold.

In a statement, Feingold congratulated Graber and said he and others on the Foreign Relations Committee would review his "record and qualifications as he is considered for this important position."

I highly doubt that Feingold will try to derail Graber's nomination. Even he's not that petty, is he?

My guess is he would probably prefer to see Graber out of the country, representing the nation and living in Prague, rather than heading the state's Republican Party.

In fact, Russ "Looking out for #1" Feingold would be wise to champion Graber's nomination.

In any event, it's certainly an honor for Graber to be tapped by the President to represent the nation in the Czech Republic.