The White House defended President Obama’s nomination of Tony Blinken to be America’s second-highest-ranking diplomat after Sen. John McCain blocked his confirmation.
The Arizona Republican, who will serve as chairman of the Armed Services Committee in the new year, on Thursday told reporters that Blinken is “totally unqualified” to serve as Secretary of State John Kerry’s deputy.
McCain, who said he has placed a hold on the nomination, did not elaborate on his opposition to Blinken, who currently serves as Obama’s deputy national security adviser. Senators can block any nomination and prevent it from advancing to a final vote simply by placing a hold on it.
After a Senate Foreign Relations Committee meeting Thursday, McCain told reporters he has placed a hold on Blinken’s nomination and harshly criticized comments he said Blinken made two years ago praising Iraq’s security situation and its efforts to form a democracy.
Asked about McCain’s opposition, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said Blinken has a “distinguished record of service” and a “wealth of knowledge and practical experience.”
Earnest listed several highlights of Blinken’s career, including six years spent as the director of the Democratic staff of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, as well as his work for the National Security Council during the Clinton administration.
“This is somebody who knows the world, who has ample experience representing the United States of America and has done so with distinction,” he said.
