Speaking at the left-wing Netroots Nation last weekend, 2020 Democratic presidential aspirant Jay Inslee, the governor of Washington state, turned himself into a joke candidate.
Asked about how he would repair alliances that have been frayed by the Trump administration (a legitimate discussion point), Inslee said that if elected, he would ask Megan Rapinoe to be his secretary of state.
Yes, that Megan Rapinoe, the U.S. women’s national team soccer star.
One of Inslee’s fellow panelists congratulated him “well played, well played!”, but his suggestion represents sad absurdity. Sad because Inslee’s suggestion degrades U.S. foreign policy to base partisan point-scoring. Absurd because Rapinoe has shown zero indication of being equipped with the knowledge and temperament necessary to serve as America’s chief diplomat.
Inslee claims that Rapinoe offers us “more love rather than hate” and that “what she has said that has inspired us so much is such an antithesis of the president’s foreign policy.” Really? Rapinoe is an exceptional athlete, and she has every right to protest the anthem. But she isn’t exactly a diplomat-in-waiting, let alone the most obvious prospect to lead America’s diplomatic service.
The soccer star has the very opposite of a diplomatic temperament. She is quick to launch scathing and profanity-laced attacks on people she disagrees with or dislikes, prone to emotional outbursts, and somewhat arrogant. True, all those things apply in equal if not greater measure to President Trump. But Trump at least has appointed two informed, experienced, and tempered individuals as secretary of state. What message would Rapinoe’s appointment send to the men and women of the State Department? That the president of the United States regards his diplomats and civil service officers only as a useful prop for some kind of far-left public relations.
Moreover, at a time where Russia increasingly threatens NATO security, China is trying to replace the U.S.-led international order, Iran is threatening conflict, Saudi Arabia is led by an emotional prince, the European Union is in strife, and Indian power is rising rapidly, we might just want to have a qualified candidate in Foggy Bottom.
Rapinoe is a great soccer player. I hope she keeps representing America. But Inslee makes himself a joke by promoting her as a prospective secretary of state.
Then again, perhaps he was just looking for some free media coverage?
