Foreign Policy Professionals for Obama

Declaration of Support by over 300 Former Diplomats

34 Responses

1. 

   Neil Mauriello, on August 22, 2008 at 8:48 am Said:

   Can anybody tell me how many retired diplomats still exist. Knowing that number I will be able to put into perspective just how influential these 230 diplomats really are.

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2. 

   Anonymous, on August 23, 2008 at 7:44 am Said:

   It would be interesting to know the party affiliations of these individuals.

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3. 

   Neil Mauriello, on August 23, 2008 at 9:17 am Said:

   I was always under the impression that State Dept. professionals were simply that and not political in any way. How times have changed.

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4. 

   Anonymous, on August 25, 2008 at 3:28 pm Said:

   Re Mr. Mauriello’s comment of August 23, Foreign Service personnel, like other government employees, are covered by the Hatch Act and cannot be involved in partisan, party politics. As the declaration notes, all these people have worked for Republican and Democratic administrations and presumably faithfully carried out the policies of those administrations. Once they retire, however, they’re free to endorse anybody they like!

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5. 

   Anonymous, on August 31, 2008 at 4:58 pm Said:

   The fact that these people have sworn an oath to the US, have worked for Republican and Democratic Presidents, and come together like this makes this list pretty impressive.

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6. 

   Ryan Polich, on August 31, 2008 at 5:02 pm Said:

   FPPfO includes members of both parties, so I wouldn’t be surprised if there are long-standing Republicans on this list.

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7. 

   Joyce, on September 6, 2008 at 4:56 pm Said:

   Why not ask Jim Leach to declare? See below..

   Associated Press / August 13, 2008
   Top GOP moderate endorses Obama

   DES MOINES – A leading Republican moderate with a foreign policy background endorsed Democrat Barack Obama yesterday, aiding the candidate’s efforts to demonstrate appeal to members of both political parties.
   Former US representative Jim Leach of Iowa was among a group of Republicans, including former senator Lincoln Chafee of Rhode Island, who said they were crossing party lines to support Obama.
   “I’m convinced that the national interest demands a new approach to our interaction with the world,” Leach, a foreign service officer before being elected to Congress, said in a conference call with reporters.
   Leach served 30 years in Congress before losing a reelection bid in 2006. As a moderate, he was often at odds with the conservative GOP leadership, and like Obama opposed the Iraq war.
   Leach predicted many Republicans and Independents would be attracted by Obama’s campaign but said his decision to endorse a Democratic presidential candidate for the first time wasn’t easy.

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8. 

   Bradford, on September 12, 2008 at 7:51 am Said:

   How “diverse” can a group who call themselves “Foreign Policy Professionals for Obama” be?

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9. 

   Anonymous, on September 12, 2008 at 8:27 am Said:

   Can someone check this list and determine how many are in fact “former diplomats”. I get the impression that many are still working for the governement in some capacity which might put them in violation of the Hatch Act.

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10. 

    Ryan Polich, on September 12, 2008 at 9:48 am Said:

    Bradford: You’d be surprised at the diversity of background, experience, and political view point of the signatories. You won’t be surprised, however, by their devotion to the well-being of their country. Collectively, these people have given hundreds of years in honorable service to the United States.

    Anon@8:27: Your impression is false. All candidates are vetted. All are retired and no longer in government service. None are bound by the Hatch Act.

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11. 

    Bill, on September 22, 2008 at 7:40 pm Said:

    The statement clearly notes that this is a list of retired professionals who were commissioned, similar to military officers, to further American national security interests. After long careers they are retired, and having served loyally whoever was in the White House they are now in a position to express their views in public. This is an unprecedented statement and seems to reflect deep concern about the recent decline of American influence and prestige. Undoubtedly the same people who were behind the “Swift Boat Veterans” campaign will find a way to lie about this statement and its signers. It will be interesting to see if anyone falls for these deceptions again.

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12. 

    Anon, on September 29, 2008 at 2:37 pm Said:

    It would be good to have a line next to each name mentioning their position,
    years of experience, etc. (e.g., John Doe, Ambassador to XYZ, 1978-1985).
    Or have link at each name taking the user to a page with their short biographies. This will give more oomph and credibility to the list, and it won’t look like just a bunch of unknown names.

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13. 

    eliab, on September 30, 2008 at 6:35 pm Said:

    Anon – good thought, it would be nice and effective. Do you have the time to do that ?

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14. 

    joan, on October 3, 2008 at 6:31 am Said:

    Anon, I am one of the non VIP retirees on this list. My experience includes 2 years as a Peace Corps volunteer, `a year in Viet Nam during the war with the Red Cross, 12 years with international NGO, 5 as Deputy Director based in London, and 22 years on 3 continents with USIA/State Dept. I know many of the people on this list and they have done far more than me.

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15. 

    martin, on October 7, 2008 at 6:31 pm Said:

    Someone asked about years of experience. My own comes to 43 years. Judging just those on the list I know personally, I would estimate list of 300 + signers represent at least 7500 years of experience.

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16. 

    Chas Jones, on October 8, 2008 at 2:01 pm Said:

    As a retired FSO with over 30 years with the State Dept I know many of the people on this list. I too support Barack Obama for president. He has the right temperment and intelligence to be POTUS. I served at 14 different embassies and consulates overseas. From what I hear from my friends still in service, American prestige has never been lower. We need Barack Obama as POTUS to restore this confidence. Chas J

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17. 

    Patricia Kushlis, on October 17, 2008 at 9:31 pm Said:

    Both my husband and I are on this list. We each have 28 (State) or 27+ (USIA) years of Foreign Service experience overseas and in Washington, DC. We know many of the signatories and recognize names of many others. So don’t worry Anonymous: the signatories have been carefully vetted and people who are still on active duty and, therefore, subject to the Hatch Act cannot and will not sign on.

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18. 

    Jesse Clear, on October 20, 2008 at 5:16 pm Said:

    Like others on this list who actively support Barack Obama for President of the United States of America, I am proud to have been an early signer. My own service included 4 years US Navy at close of Korean War, 9 years US merchant marine in the Vietnam theater of war, and 27 years with the Foreign Service (17 years overseas on 4 continents, 4 foreign languages).

    As a challenge to the skeptics of this Declaration, I would suggest that each of you, too, list your own service to our country in your commentary . . . before you question ours. Or perhaps you may have had “other priorities” when the country called?
    Regards, JESSE

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19. 

    Paul Goff, on October 26, 2008 at 9:37 am Said:

    I am a former Foreign Service Officer and find no other option than to support Obama. I could cite the fact that he is a brilliant person; finishing at the top of his classes at Columbia and Harvard Law; that his life has been consistently dedicated to thoughtful public service, not self enrichment; that he is a consistent thoughtful politician who has shown mature judgment throughout his career and this campaign–something sorely lacking on the republican side.

    He was right about our going into Iraq and he is right about getting out, correct about engaging with our enemies (and friends), is pragmatic, doesn’t hold grudges and has a competent vice-presidential nominee.

    None of this can be said of McCain and his rather pathetic choice of vice presidential running mate.

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20. 

    Thanks, on October 26, 2008 at 10:54 pm Said:

    Thank you all!!

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21. 

    Marshall Carter-Tripp, on October 26, 2008 at 11:02 pm Said:

    Kudos to Jesse!

    All those who have signed have faithfully supported the adminstrations they worked under. As they did so they observed and learned what works and what does not in relations with the rest of the world. We now respectfully indicate to those voters who would like to know our opinions which candidate we believe can advance the interests of our country – and yes, keep the world at peace.

    We retirees have many centuries of experience to call on. I hope that some voters will do.

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22. 

    melissa, on October 26, 2008 at 11:11 pm Said:

    Thank you to the signers of this declaration . ..first and foremost, thank you for your service to our country. . .secondly . .thank you for sharing your foreign service insight and support of Senator Obama.

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23. 

    D. Gaffney, on October 26, 2008 at 11:12 pm Said:

    Unlike some of the incredibly presumptuous and
    Rude posters who immediately questioned the
    Motivation of the men and women who signed this
    Well thought out document, I would like to thank
    You all for your years of brave and important service.
    One of the most vital tenets of the Obama campaign
    Has been his vow to not question the motivation
    Or patriotism of his opponent. While we can disagree
    On policy and approach it is important that we not attack
    One anothers motivation and assign evil intent that
    Is not there. His opponent, their supporters and sadly
    some of his own supporters have clearly not taken that
    Message to heart.

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24. 

    Beth Miller Augerinos, on October 27, 2008 at 12:11 am Said:

    Thank you for your service to our country and your detailed Declaration of Support for Barack Obama.

    As a former Republican, now independent, I have watched all candidates, in the longest primary season the USA has ever held.

    I have been impartial, (though I come from a staunch Republican family,) and have voted more for the GOP in 35 years, then the DEMS.

    For the very reasons you have outlined, Barack Obama is the better choice and has my vote.

    I will add that I am VERY disappointed in both GOP candidates this election. And I have voted for Reagan, Bush I and Bush II. No McCain/Palin, a travesty.

    Thank you for standing up and speaking out.

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25. 

    Jody, on October 27, 2008 at 12:23 am Said:

    I just wanted to thank all of you for your service to our country and your willingness to thoughtfully and articulately state your support for Sen. Barak Obama.

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26. 

    Marilyn, Oakland, CA, on October 27, 2008 at 12:56 am Said:

    Providing party affiliation and years in the Foreign Service would add weight to this very impressive list. Publishing in the mainstream media will be best.

    Congratulations on a wonderful effort.

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27. 

    Mike Smith, on October 27, 2008 at 1:15 pm Said:

    Rather than question qualifications or political affiliations of the signatory, I ask if there is a corresponding list of diplomats so visibly endorsing Senator McCain?

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28. 

    Nxumalo Martin, Dumisile, on October 27, 2008 at 2:37 pm Said:

    I mentally made a bumper sticker four years ago after the Democratic Convention where Barack Obama was the keynote speaker.

    I cannot tell you how proud I am, as a naturalized American of 20 years and an African, to see history made when he clinched the nomination of the Democratic Party, for starters. For me, whatever happened afterwards was truly the icing. He had already won.

    My husband and I lived in a number of places in Africa and our last post was in India. It was very hard trying to walk that fine line between supporting my President and his policies, which were, clearly, out of touch. Increasingly, we were being ridiculed for these policies. Even Africans (who have given us all the breaks in the world for a very long time) were getting tired of the “we will get it done by ourselves and do not need anyone” strategy.

    We need to repair our image abroad. We need to reconnect with our traditional allies. We need to reach out to those that have increasingly become suspicious of our intentions, no matter how noble. I am very excited about the Obama/Biden ticket because I think that it is the first step to clean up this mess.

    Dumisile.

    I have already voted absentee in order to be free to be of help to anyone that needs it.

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29. 

    Joan P, on October 27, 2008 at 2:37 pm Said:

    Many people continue to leave their heads in the sand, and doubt anyone with any salt who comes forward in support Senator Obama. I have no reason to doubt or question the opinions of such fine individuals as those listed here.

    As a former lifelong Republican myself, it makes perfect sense to me that a lot of us, regardless of Service experience or lack thereof, have managed to look around not only at our own country’s current state, but at the world as a whole and how we are beginning to play a completely different role in it. (And a rather unsavory one, at that.)

    Analysis of one’s country must be both subjective and objective, and I trust those who have been abroad serving this nation in their balanced assessments of Senator Obama’s potential strengths on the world stage, and those character traits that provide for these strengths.

    The only way I could possibly NOT be moved to intellect by such support, would be to continue to pretend that things were not as they in fact truly are, and to conjure up trivialities to sidetrack the national conversation, and I refuse to do so. My former party taught me to do just that, and now that party itself is paying the price of lacking any sort of substance or theory. It has gone against it’s own platform, it’s own ideals… MY ideals, and I proudly support Senator Obama within my own conservative, non-interventionist, socially-equalistic and non-socially-interventionist ideals.

    May the best man win.

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30. 

    Cheryl Huerta, on October 27, 2008 at 3:50 pm Said:

    First of all as an American citizen, who has in recent years viewed myself much more as a citizen of the world, I thank with all of my heart every person on this list and not on this list who has served and who serves this country in the effort to unite us with the people of other countries.

    As I read the comments it does my heart good to know that I am not the only one who sees the light at the end of the ‘foreign relations’ tunnel as Senator Obama. Watching the debates and hearing McCain refer to our friends and enemies repeatedly vowing not to have any conversation with our ‘enemies’ without ‘pre-conditions’ (and making such a huge issue of pre-conditions) I am constantly reminded that the paradigm is shifting and this election is but a small part of the shift. I know without a doubt that Senator Obama when he is our President, which I know he will be soon, will begin to mend the wounds those before him have inflicted on so many people’s/countries around the world. I know he will listen with his heart and wisdom and will understand that peace can not ever be attained through military force or by separating ourselves from the rest of the world. I am so very excited about the next four years and how much closer we will grow to all of our friends and neighbors around the world through the wise and kind guidance of President Obama and his staff.

    In closing I only want to point out that ‘we the people’ also bear a great deal of responsibility in bridging the gaps between cultures/peoples/countries and the U.S. that has been formed by so many years of living in fear of those who are different than we are. We all need to reach out to those in other countries through the internet, through travel and in other ways to help repair the reputation of Americans. We all need to embrace the differences between us and to remember the deep irrefutable undeniable inherent similarities between each and every one of us at the same time. I think sometimes that our goverment here in the U.S. conveniently forgets that this great land was intended to be a place of freedom for ALL people from ALL cultures from ALL walks of life from ALL countries and that it is our diversity that makes us such a great and strong country and not our sameness or single-mindedness. Let us out here in the public continue to spread our willingness to be citizens of the world first and then Americans throughout this great land so that those who still choose to live in fear of those who look and who are different might be influenced to change for their own benefit and for the benifit of their children.

    Again I want to thank all of you for your years of service and dedication not only to this country but to humanity.

    Bless you all.

    Sincerely,
    Cheryl Huerta

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31. 

    isroc7, on October 27, 2008 at 3:55 pm Said:

    This letter is as strong an arguement for Senator Obama as any I have read. I only hope that the wisdom and experience of the signers is enough to convince the reactionary crowd. This carefully considered endorsement has brought some more hope to my otherwise cynical outlook. Thank you, ladies and gentleman, for your stand as well as your service.

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32. 

    JESSE, on October 27, 2008 at 8:27 pm Said:

    Hi all, again:
    This blog is taking on a life of its own! Two things come to mind:

    I’ve been distressed by the subterranean RNC hatemails and 527-group TV ads which “accuse” Barack of being a Muslim. In response, our local Obama field office took it upon ourselves to do an outreach with the local Muslim community, in the form of non-partisan voter education and registration. After enjoying an excellent Iftar (post-Ramadan meal) with them, and subsequent followup visits, we were able to register approximately 50 new voters in that community. The icing on the cake was Gen. Powell’s recent statement of support for Obama when he hit this slur head-on:
    . . . “But the really right answer is, ‘What if he is? Is there something wrong with being a Muslim in this country?’ The answer’s ‘No, that’s not America.’ Is there something wrong with some 7-year-old Muslim American kid believing that he or she could be president?” . . .

    The other troubling misrepresentation is McCain’s (and now Palin’s) willful confusion between diplomatic “preconditions” vs “preparations,” through which they slam Barack on his position regarding negotiations with Iran. Click on the website link under my name, which leads to a recent letter-to-the-editor. In it, I attempted to clarify — at least for the local Virginia audience — the vital differences between the two terms.

    Keep the Flame, folks! JESSE

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33. 

    paul hacker, on October 28, 2008 at 4:47 pm Said:

    Having 30 years of the Foreign Service behind me, I can only echo the sentiments voiced by people here, some of whom are my former colleagues and friends. Many people don’t realize the challenging international environment we face, and the need to have competent people, from the very top down, to provide a guiding light to all of us. I have witnessed too often how staffers attached to high officials come to our posts as babes in the woods, drunk with a sense of their own power, but with precious little understanding of what they (and we) face, and little exposure to the outside world. One thing I really do hope Obama will be able to accomplish — and something that would enshrine him as a real practitioner of change — is to end the practice of selling our overseas posts to the highest bidder. While there is room in some embassies for distinguished Americans who have come up from other than the Foreign Service career path, I would expect these to be exceptions to the rule and that major campaign contributors would be told “thank you for your interest, but…”

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34. 

    Cecelia Shaw, on February 26, 2009 at 4:20 am Said:

    I am trying to contact Richard McKee, who formerly served in the diplomatic service and who is form the Niagara Falls area. Can you assist me?
    Thank you.

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