Credit: Wikipedia Commons / Kelly Craft was confirmed Wednesday by U.S. Senate to become President Trump’s next ambassador to the United Nations

By Gary Raynaldo     DIPLOMATIC TIMES

The U.S. Senate on Wednesday confirmed Kelly Knight Craft to be Washington’s top ambassador to the United Nations. Until yesterday,  the American diplomatic  post at the UN  remained vacant for seven months. Craft, who was U.S. ambassador to Canada,  will replace Trump’s first UN envoy Nikki Haley, who resigned last year to spend more time with her family.  Craft was confirmed by a vote of 56 to 34,  with only 5 Democrats joining the 51 Republicans backing her approval.  Craft previously ran a marketing consulting firm and served in the administration of George W. Bush as part of the U.S. delegation to the United Nations General Assembly. The Glasgow, Ky., native has served on the University of Kentucky Board of Trustees.  As U.S. ambassador to Canada,  Craft served as the President’s personal representative to the government and people of Canada.  She led the U.S. Mission to Canada, which comprises the Embassy in Ottawa and seven Consulates located across Canada. No  Senate Republican opposed her nomination.  Craft, 56, is the first woman to serve as U.S. Ambassador to Canada. She is married to billionaire coal-mining executive Joe Craft, and they are major Republican donors.  

Kelly Craft:  Not the Right Choice for U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations:   Rep.  Robert Menendez 

Credit: Wikipedia / Democratic Rep. Robert Menendez, New Jersey

Speaking loudly against Craft’s confirmation was Robert Menendez of New Jersey, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee’s top-ranking Democrat, who slammed down her nomination, blasting her as being “unfit” to serve. 

“The United States needs a skilled and experienced leader to represent the nation’s interests at the United Nations. This position requires someone who can stand up to the toughest of adversaries, who can deftly negotiate on a global stage without compromising our principles, and who can effectively advocate on behalf of those who do not have a sufficient voice in the world. Regrettably, Ambassador Craft is not that individual.”

-Rep. Robert Menendez of New Jersey.

The Congressman explained his main reasons for voting against Craft’s confirmation:

“Ambassador Craft is not deserving of the Senate’s confirmation for three main reasons: (1) she does not possess the requisite credentials, knowledge, or experience to effectively represent and defend U.S. interests and values at the United Nations; (2) her absenteeism as U.S. Ambassador to Canada demonstrates a failure of leadership, a lack of the understanding of the role of an ambassador vis-à-vis the embassy and host country, and a lack of commitment to government service; and (3) she has failed to demonstrate diligence in avoiding financial conflicts, even involving her husband, the CEO of a major coal company, in official government meetings related to energy matters.”

Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.)  voiced his full support and confidence in Craft before Wednesdays’ vote.  Senator McConnell said Craft is an “impressive nominee”  who had represented the United States by “skillfully and effectively advocating” for its interests.