White House Correspondents Insider

Behind the scenes of the most powerful city in the world — Washington, D.C. — and those who cover it.

Veteran Diplomat Martin Indyk’s New Book On Kissinger

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Secretary John Kerry with Gahl Burt and author Ambassador Martin Indyk at Cafe Milano book Party

On November 17th,  Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba and Franco Nuschese hosted a book party for Martin Indyk’s newest work, Master of the Game: Henry Kissinger and the Art of Middle East Diplomacy at Cafe Milano in Washington, DC.  

Attendees included diplomatic heavy hitters like John Kerry and Ambassador Al Otaiba, who paid tribute to Indyk with a kind speech. Indyk then spoke, entertaining the crowd with an amusing story about Henry Kissinger and issuing many thanks. 

 

NYT columnist Tom Friedman and Amb. Yousef Al Otaiba at the celebration at Cafe Milano

Newly confirmed U.S. Ambassador to Israel Tom Nides, Israeli Ambassador Mike Herzog, Sally Quinn, and former Congresswoman Jane Harman were also present for the celebration, as well as media figures Wolf Blitzer, Norah O’Donnell, and Kaitlan Collins. Other notable guests included Tom Friedman from The New York Times, Roxanne Roberts from The Washington Post, and Jeff Goldberg from The Atlantic.

U. S. Ambassador to Israel Tom Nides with Tammy Wittes and friend

 

Cafe Milano owner Franco Nuschese and CNN’s Kaitlan Collins

Martin Indyk served twice as U.S. Ambassador to Israel from 1995-1997 and 2000-2001. He was President Clinton’s Middle East adviser on the National Security Council, and in Clinton’s second term he became the assistant secretary of state for Near East Affairs. Master of the Game is Indyk’s third book, and first solo publication in a few years. 

Capricia Marshall To Leave State Dept. By End of Summer

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Capricia Marshall, Cheryl Mills and Chelsea Clinton

Capricia Marshall is out of the newly-minted John Kerry State Department sometime at the end of the summer. Speaking to the Reliable Source on Monday, the soon-to-be-former-Chief-of-Protocol issued a non-offcial announcement and reminded readers that she’s a long-time member of Hillary Clinton‘s team. She’s spent the last 20 years working for the former Secretary of State, and may join her depending on decisions for the 2016 race with this kicker to the Source: “If she decides to run, I’ll be behind her 100 percent.”

Well, as everyone in D.C. knows–even Presidents on the campaign trail–just be careful to watch where you’re running before you follow someone down there.

The Bittersweet Tuesday Job Announcements

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Daily Beast Bipartisan Brunch
It’s a rough day if you’re Ray LaHood or a CNN employee–but congratulations John Kerry!

Starting out with the good news today is John Kerry was unanimously approved by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. That was the expected announcement this week. CNN, however, decided that such a thing was too boring for a Tuesday and launched a mass exodus/hiring spree just to see if we can keep up.

Chris Cuomo is leaving ABC for CNN.The younger brother of Andrew will take point as morning anchor for CNN, which is a rough spot since that’s where Soledad O’Brien is supposed to sit. Matt Whitaker,an executive vice president and managing editor, announced this morning that he’s leaving the network due to new CEO Jeff Zucker‘s “forceful ideas about where to take CNN’s reporting, programming and brand.” Also out? Long-time husband-and-wife duo James Carville and Mary Matalin. Erick Erickson is also gone, but where else could he find an opening?

In the flurry of media news, it seems someone confused Ray LaHood causing him to announce his resignation as transportation secretary.

“I want to thank Secretary LaHood for his dedication, his hard work, and his years of service to the American people — including the outstanding work he’s done over the last four years as Secretary of Transportation,” the president said in a statement.

No other information was given from the former republican Representative from Illinois. It’s a strange ebb and flow around CNN and the cabinet these days.

edit: We mixed our Cuomos up! Andrew Cuomo is Chris’ brother and current governor of New York. Mario is the former governor of New York and father to both Andrew and Chris. We regret the error.

Brief Moments in Biden: The Other Kerry for Secretary of State

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Not only is Vice President Biden crashing parties and giving speeches, but he’s even sending in the other Kerry!

From the White House Pool Report of President Obama’s recent announcement to nominate Senator John Kerry for secretary of state:

“One thing you probably didn’t see on TV — Biden and T(eresa) H(einz) Kerry entered the room first and stood before reporters for a couple of minutes before the president and Sen. Kerry came in. In the awkward silence, Biden turned to the pool and said he was there to announce the nomination of Teresa Kerry as Secretary of State. She then smiled and said, ‘another woman!’“

The Pool also reports that Obama spoke to secretary Clinton today and “found her in good spirits.”

John Kerry Nominated for Secretary of State

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Sen. John Kerry meeting the President of Liberia (via Press Office for Senator Kerry)


Christmas comes early for Senator Kerry with this nomination for secretary of state. Let’s run down what we’re all saying about the expected nomination from President Obama at 1:30 p.m. this afternoon:

WaPo: “Kerry has long sought the post as America’s top diplomat, but appeared to be Obama’s second choice after U.N. Ambassador Susan E. Rice. Rice withdrew her name from consideration earlier this month because of Republican opposition based on her role as administration spokeswoman in the fatal Sept. 11 attack on U.S. compounds in Benghazi, Libya.”

CNN: “It’s ironic that several prominent Republicans are rallying behind Kerry, just eight years after their party demonized him during his failed 2004 presidential campaign against President George W. Bush.”

Los Angeles Times:”Kerry, 69, has chaired the Senate Foreign Relatons Committee since 2009. His selection gives the White House a veteran foreign policy hand who has demonstrated his willingness to work with Obama’s inner circle of advisors over the last four years.”

Politico: “Kerry’s Republican colleagues have indicated that the confirmation process will be a smooth one — far easier than the one United Nations Ambassador Susan Rice would have faced had Obama nominated her. Rice withdrew her name from contention last week.”

Politico also reports that current Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will not attend while still recovering from a slight concussion. But that hasn’t stopped the rumor will for who’ll be gunning for his seat. The Atlantic Wire toplines a scruffy Ben Affleck, Scott Brown, Ed “Ted” Kennedy, Jr. while The Hill likes Rep. Ed Markey.

Slate wishes there was a special election because why not make 2013 more than just a regular ol’ “election year.” But maybe being will help?