Karen Hughes: improving America's image is for future presidents

[Cocoa]

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5304491

The person in charge of improving the U.S. image abroad is not expecting it to get much better soon. Karen Hughes, undersecretary of state for public diplomacy, says her efforts are part of a "long-term program."

"This is not something that I expect will change probably much in... the less than three years we have left in the Bush administration," the longtime adviser to President Bush says. "What I'm trying to do is put in place a foundation."

Hughes recently established a center at the State Department to rapidly respond to damaging stories in the world media. And she said she's been encouraging people in the State Department to do lots of talking. Since starting her job, they've given hundreds of interviews to Arab television, many of them in Arabic.

But just as importantly, she says, her department has been doing a lot of listening, including meeting with exchange students. She recalls a group of Fulbright scholars who were "very concerned about their treatment when they arrive in our country. And I've been very worried about that. I think it's very important that America remain a welcoming country."

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[ObaMania]

1. The image will improve 100% just minutes after..

.. the fuckers are kicked out in '08.

So that nasty assed bitch doesn't have to worry none.

[grytpype]

7. Word.

[wake.up.america]

19. That would be a great start. People are laughing at Bush where I live.

[seabeyond]

2. fix deficit, future pres... livable wage, future pres,.... building

working force in u.s., future pres. invest in science, future pres, infrastrucutre, future pres

[Webster Green]

3. Witnessing arrogance & incompetence in the same person is infuriating....

Karen Hughes is a waste of perfectly good oxygen.:grr:

[wake.up.america]

18. America should have been trying to improve its image

from the day Bush walked into the White House.

[rock]

21. Hughly

(pun intended)

[librechik]

4. "put in a foundation?" She means stonewall n/t

[BuyingThyme]

5. Wow, that's quite a high bar, Nazi lady!

[kentuck]

6. Everything is left for "future" presidents....

When did our image sink to such low levels, Karen? You helped create the mess, so let's leave it to future presidents? If that is how you feel, why don't you fucking resign today? That is an incredibly sorry rationalization.

[Cocoa]

9. she wouldn't say "creating a mess"

she prefers "laying a foundation."

[FSogol]

20. Yeah, but that foundation doesn't meet code, let's bust it up

and start a correct foundation.

[SCDem]

8. Listening to her this morning was hilarious

how can anyone not listen to these people and see total PR - and then she says that the American reputation has been waning for some 40 years. Typical Republican taking I mean avoiding responsibility.

[BR_Parkway]

10. Casue there's no way in hell it'll get better with Shrub in office!

[lpbk2713]

11. So it's "Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain" is it?

[debbierlus]

12. Cleaning up Bush's disasters...That is for the NEXT President.

I don't know why anyone would want that job.

It is going to be miserable. Like volunteereering to clean up after a 1000 ton elephant (good analogy with the Republican animal, poor elephants)!

[kentuck]

17. Yes! Vote for the Shovel Brigade !

Vote Democratic!

[blue4barb]

13. Sounds like the new repuke mantra-- for future presidents and

administrations. That way the current shrubery won't have to take responsibility for the damage they created. I expect to hear more of this "future" talking point.

[Hissyspit]

14. From the idiot who said Saddam gassed "hundreds of thousands"

only one of her many gaffes. More incompetence. Deliberate or not?

[spindrifter]

15. For someone who has had a lot of

p.r. experience, this one is the capstone of idiotic, embarrassing statements. I don't know who is the bigger embarrassment--the Chimp, C*ndiliar or this nincompoop.

[Plaid Adder]

16. Well, maybe her boy could resign and take Cheney with him,

so that a future president could begin this important project RIGHT AWAY.

The Plaid Adder