The news we've known for a few months is finally official. U.S. President Joe Biden has nominated David Cohen to be the country's ambassador to Canada.
Cohen has worked as a lawyer, lobbyist, and fundraiser for Comcast. His "more relevant" experience was 5 years as chief of staff to then Philadelphia mayor of Ed Rendell in the 1990s.
No diplomatic experience. No known ties to Canada. Ugh.
We had this scenario with President Barack Obama. A late pick in the first year in office. Fundraisers. Now Obama's picks turned out to be way better than anticipated (low bar). We expected better from Joe Biden, who served as the chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee when he was in the U.S. Senate. Biden was vice president to Obama.
The United States has had 3 acting ambassadors since the end of the disgraceful run from Kelly Knight Craft, which ended on August 23, 2019. Richard M. Mills Jr. served from August 23, 2019 to November 9, 2020. Katherine Brucker took over until May 28, 2021. Arnold A. Chacón took over and is currently serving in the role.
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Cohen has had time to study about Canada since his name has been linked for some time. Has he been to Canada? Does he speak French? Can he name all 10 provinces and 3 territories?
The confirmation process will be arduous, unnecessarily. So Cohen being the pick means he'll be there in the fall, not right away.
David Jacobson didn't get sworn in until October 2, 2009. Craft waited a bit after getting approved and didn't start until October 23.
Kelly Knight Craft gets to stop pretending to spend time in Canada
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A special nod to Bruce A. Heyman, who served as U.S. ambassador to Canada from March 26, 2014 until January 20, 2017. Heyman has been visible as the de facto ambassador since Craft left. There has been a giant leadership hole; acting ambassadors aren't visible. Heyman has been positive, upbeat, professional, and visible. Thank you for your extended service.
Kirsten Hillman, Canada's Ambassador to the United States since March 26, 2020, was promoted from within to the top role. Cohen will have a steep learning curve on a portfolio where the United States is massively behind already. We want to be pleasantly surprised by Cohen but we have doubts.
We wrote back on February 23 about being "still hopeful to return to the Three Amigos approach of the relationship between Canada, United States, and Mexico. We are not optimistic but hopeful." Not even sure we are hopeful anymore.
photo credit: CBC News
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