Ross leaving State for White House?

Posted: Monday, June 15, 2009 5:44 PM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: White House, State Dept.

From NBC's Libby Leist

State Department officials and sources close to Dennis Ross say the diplomat is expected to leave the State Department soon for a position in the White House. Ross currently is in charge of the Iran portfolio at the State Department under the cryptic title: special adviser for the Gulf and Southwest Asia.

The Israeli newspaper Haaretz was the first to report today of a potential move for Ross. The paper said Ross "will abruptly be relieved of his duties" at the State Department.

But State Department officials are denying that Ross was fired or ousted from his State Department position. One official described the job change to the White House as a "promotion." The official wouldn't go any further though leaving the rest of the details to the White House.

When asked today whether Ross was being reassigned to the White House, State Department spokesman Ian Kelly did not deny the move: "I have no personnel announcements right now," he said.

And on "Andrea Mitchell Reports" on MSNBC, White House Deputy Press Secretary Bill Burton echoed the same point and stressed that President Obama has confidence in Ross. "I'm not here making any personnel announcements right now. But I can tell you that the president continues to obviously have confidence in him," Burton said.

So why the move?

A source close to Ross said it had nothing to do with any personality conflicts with Secretary Clinton or Richard Holbrooke, the special envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan. (Holbrooke was the first official in the Obama administration to meet with an Iranian leader at a conference on Afghanistan at the Hague in March, and he also was given wider authorities across the government.)

The source said Ross has a "great relationship" with Clinton and he always laughs at rumors that he doesn't get along with Holbrooke.

By all indications, Ross will still have control over the Iran portfolio at the White House and possibly even a broader role in Middle East policy. Why couldn't he stay at the State Department? State Department officials are leaving that explanation to the White House.

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Comments

From NBC's Libby Leist
State Department officials and sources close to Dennis Ross say the diplomat is expected to leave the State Department soon for a position in the White House. Ross currently is in charge of the Iran portfolio at the State Department under the cryptic title: special adviser for the Gulf and Southwest Asia.

What a gossip group we have. Let me get this right...If I leave the State Department for the White House, then this means that I got fired? Or better yest...I get even broader responsibilities...I don't think that there's much gossip here.

Anita, Birmingham, Alabama (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 5:53 PM)

Perhaps he will be privy to additional security clearances? Maybe Iran is moving up on the priority list of things to follow more closely? Or maybe, President Obama likes to surround himself by smart 'up and comers'? Regardless, it is his choice to make.
^^^^^^^^^

CJC970 (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 4:57 PM)

no proof that Repubs spend less money. In fact, at this juncture - it is completely untrue; however, Obama does have the check book out and it is early in his presidency.

Clara Kansas City, MO (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 5:55 PM)

Maybe we'll get another Czar. YIPPEE!!!!

DG, HOUSTON, TX (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 6:22 PM)

More importantly, is it me or has he lost weight? And after the whirlwind of the last few months, is he still carrying a torch for you-know-who? And if so, will a certain redhead approve? And is gay marriage a litmus test that will determine his, ahem...position? Inquiring minds want to know...

Perez H., Hollywood, CA (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 6:26 PM)

Clara and Tzarlan: I respnd to yu because yu are thoughtful, intelligent posters. It bothers me that you 'kneejerk' your responses to Don't Ask, Don't Tell.

Stay with me here-when Bill Clinton took office, the military regulations precluded gays from serving. If they were found out, they were dishonorably discharged. As COMMANDER IN CHIEF, Clinton signed and executive order and Don't Ask, Don't Tell was born. It was a compromise, to be sure. It stopped the secret allegations, secret 'exposes', and was a halfway measure.

Years have gone by. the country has had dialogue about issues that were never discussed before. We have evolved. If Clinton, as Commander in Chief, coult sign an executive order putting into place Don't Ask, Don't Tell,why cannot Obama sign,as Commander in hief, an executive order allowing gays to serve openly in the military?

the same set of circumstances would ensue. He has a Democrat congress, if that is what he needs to press the order in to law.

Why is he not addressing this issue?

no joe,no bo, nj (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 7:28 PM)

So this is big, really really big. Let us know when Obama's barber resigns or some other nobody does something, please. This is important for us to know (NOT).

eagle1776 (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 7:51 PM)

Ross is a token appointment.

His principle purpose for being is to blunt neocon, pro Israeli and Zionist criticisms of Obama's M/E policies. He was a minister without portfolio and checkmated at state by other powerful personalities, and according to reports will remain so at the NSC. He is probably worse off since the big cheese at his new appointment is non other than retired Marine Corps general James Jones, whose not only opposed to Ross's militancy, but is a far tougher customer than anything the boy wonder had to face over at state.

On balance, Ross has far more going against him than for him.

rfjk, St Clair, MI (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 8:38 PM)

I am glad to hear that he finally left the Iran desk at the State. Dennis Ross has no expertise in Iranian affaires and was a wrong choice for the job.

Cyrus, San Francisco, CA (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 8:55 PM)

If the Cheney administration would have to faced the same under handed scrutiny the Obama administration faces, we would not have ever been in Iraq. Let the guy dig his grave or dig us out.

Marty Dover, Fl (Sent Tuesday, June 16, 2009 8:21 AM)

DEMOTED ? Please. A job at the White House, people would kill to get a job there. Move on, enough of the Trouble at White House crap.

efree (Sent Tuesday, June 16, 2009 8:34 AM)

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