Bush To Name Former Conservative Commentator Glassman To Sell U.S. Image Abroad

[Purveyor]

Source: Associated Press

President Bush intends to name a well-known conservative commentator and journalist to lead the State Department's struggling efforts to improve the U.S.'s image abroad, replacing long-time confidante Karen Hughes, who is leaving government by the end of the year, The Associated Press has learned.

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Glassman was chosen in part because he has already won Senate confirmation for his current job, which he began in June, and the administration was looking for someone who could avoid a bruising confirmation fight in an election year, the officials said.

If confirmed, Glassman would take over an outreach operation that has been criticized for being ineffective, particularly in the Muslim world.

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Glassman should be familiar with the challenges facing the top U.S. pitchman. He served in 2003 on the congressionally mandated Advisory Group on Public Diplomacy for the Arab and Muslim World, officials noted.

In addition to his work with the Broadcasting Board of Governors, Glassman is a fellow at the conservative American Enterprise Institute think tank in Washington and publisher of the group's magazine, The American.


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