Kerry Chooses Ex-Sen. Russ Feingold As New U.S. Special Envoy For Africa

[ProSense]

Kerry Chooses Ex-Sen. Russ Feingold As New U.S. Special Envoy For Africa

WASHINGTON (AP) — Two officials say that Secretary of State John Kerry has chosen Russ Feingold, a former Democratic senator from Wisconsin, as the new U.S. special envoy for Africa Great Lakes region.

A U.S. official and a congressional aide say Kerry will announce Tuesday that Feingold will assume the post focused, in part, on resolving turmoil in the Congo. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to disclose the information on the record before Kerry’s announcement.

Congo’s government and rebels have been negotiating in Uganda since December under a regional bloc called the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region.

The talks have often been set back by accusations over who is responsible for rampant violence in Congo’s North Kivu province.

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/kerry-chooses-russ-feingold-as-new-us-special-envoy-for-africa.php

[ProSense]

1. Kick! n/t

[Cooley Hurd]

2. Kick and Rec - I miss Senator Feingold - glad to see he's getting a new gig!

[Scurrilous]

3. Good news!

K & R

[madrchsod]

4. glad to see russ back in action!

[Proud Public Servant]

5. Big UNrec

Special Envoy offices at the State Department are a kind of career witness protection program; you enter into them and are never heard from again. There are currently over two dozen special envoys and special representatives at State. Can you name one? Can you name any of their accomplishments? Can you tell me what, oh what, ever happened to poor George Mitchell?

In an era when our historic Hope and Change president has turned out to be just another apologist for corporatism and the national security state, and when the nomination of another corporatist hawk keeps being discussed as "inevitable," we need all the true progressive voices we can get, stateside and fighting with us. Feingold can't do that at State, let alone in Africa (as a diplomat, he'll be unable to involve himself in partisan domestic politics). Nobody puts baby in a corner, and nobody should put Russ Feingold there, either -- or be happy about it.

[ProSense]

6. Is it your understanding

"Nobody puts baby in a corner, and nobody should put Russ Feingold there, either -- or be happy about it."

...that Feingold is being selected against his will?

[Proud Public Servant]

10. No, I just couldn't resist the quote

Since in the corner, and off the political dance floor, is where he's headed.

[Lifelong Protester]

7. Russ, we need you here in Wisconsin!

This might be a great thing for you, and Africa, but not your fellow Wisconsinites! We need you!!!!

[AnotherMcIntosh]

8. Well, that will get him out of the country and out of domestic politics.

[KittyWampus]

9. is he currently in domestic politics?

[AnotherMcIntosh]

11. Are you unaware that in Feb 2011, he formed Progressives United, a grassroots PAC?

Are you unaware that since his election loss in 2010, he continues to make his voice heard on progressive issues?

Are you unaware that he still has politicial supporters in Wisconsin and elsewhere?

[Cha]

12. I take it Russ Feingold wanted the job.. so good for Kerry and Feingold!

thanks ProSense