Even though some politicians are trash talking the idea to establish a US Embassy with a US Ambassador to Cuba, it will happen. I predict it will occur before the next President is elected. I totally endorse this action but I don’t want to be the Ambassador and here are the reasons:
1. My Spanish stinks.
I have a fair knowledge of basic restaurant Spanish supplemented with Spanish street names. The US ambassador I think should be more fluent in Spanish than being able to order food or find a street address.
2. I do not have a poker face.
My diplomacy would certainly be compromised with my facial expressions. I hate to admit it but I sometimes raise an eyebrow when presented with a WTF situation. The US ambassador needs to have an experienced placid demeanor.
3. I don’t have political experience.
The US Ambassador needs more skills than voting and supporting causes. He or She needs some political expertise.
So who would be on my short list?
- Maria Shriver (A bit of historical irony)
- Tammy Baldwin (Already a historical presence)
- Julián Castro (The brothers are Fluent in Spanish)
- Joaquín Castro (Ditto)
- Mazie Hirono (Who better to understand living on an island)
Some of my candidates may not want to leave their current jobs but they may or may not be re-elected. They may be not fluent in Spanish, but these are smart people and they can learn!
So I will have to just visit Cuba as a tourist some day rather than in an official capacity. I email the President before the State of the Union Address every year. This year it is January 20, 2015. I will be emailing the administration my recommendations. Who would you recommend I add to my list before I hit send?
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