i think there is an opportunity here.....

From:lukealbee@gmail.com To: john.podesta@gmail.com Date: 2015-10-23 15:12 Subject: i think there is an opportunity here.....

Can someone or a bunch of folks, or HRC go after Rubio for holding up Roberta Jacobson’s nomination to be our ambassador to Mexico? Wont this offend Mexican Americans and editorial writers? One of the most important countries in the world and he is playing his petty, myopic, parochial bullshit games? And this is a guy who is getting credit for being “thoughtful and nuanced” on foreign policy? The timing is good because of her incredible day yesterday, where she clearly understands the world and our role therein. Luke Senators Hold Diplomatic Post Hostage As Payback For Cuba Policy Assistant Secretary Roberta Jacobson’s Nomination Of U.S. Ambassador To Mexico Held Up Over Cuba Policy. “In June, the administration nominated Roberta Jacobson, the State Department’s assistant secretary for Western Hemisphere affairs, who helped lead the negotiations that re-established U.S. diplomatic ties to Cuba. But her confirmation has been held up in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, with the vote postponed earlier this month. The committee is expected to vote in favor of Jacobson during its next business meeting, but the nomination is then likely to languish indefinitely on the Senate floor unless Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) deems it a priority. The holdup, sources familiar with the committee said, centers directly on Jacobson’s work on Cuba. The delays in her committee approval have ‘everything to do with the Cuban policy,’ said Sen. Ben Cardin of Maryland, ranking Democrat on the committee.” [Politico <https://cubanow.us/r/E/MTQyMzE/MjM3NQ/0/0/bHVrZWFsYmVlQGdtYWlsLmNvbQ/aHR0cDovL3d3dy5wb2xpdGljby5jb20vc3RvcnkvMjAxNS8xMC9tZXhpY28tY3ViYS1tYXJjby1ydWJpby1yb2JlcnQtbWVuZW5kZXotMjE0OTcxP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9dHdpdHRlcmZlZWQmdXRtX21lZGl1bT10d2l0dGVyIyEjIQ/186/0>, “Mexican post held hostage over Cuba,” 10/21/15] Sen. Marco Rubio And Sen. Bob Menendez Reportedly Holding Up Jacobson’s Ambassador Nomination To “Needle The White House” Over Cuba Policy. “Sources said Rubio, a Florida senator considered a top-tier 2016 candidate, and Menendez, a Democrat from New Jersey who is facing federal corruption charges, are Jacobson’s primary opponents. Both senators, who are of Cuban descent, have actively opposed Obama’s decision to restore ties to the communist-led island, a decision that took effect July 20, but there’s been virtually nothing they’ve been able to do to stop the executive branch. Homing in on Jacobson’s nomination for the Mexico position is one way to needle the White House.” [Politico <https://cubanow.us/r/E/MTQyMzk/MjM3NQ/0/0/bHVrZWFsYmVlQGdtYWlsLmNvbQ/aHR0cDovL3d3dy5wb2xpdGljby5jb20vc3RvcnkvMjAxNS8xMC9tZXhpY28tY3ViYS1tYXJjby1ydWJpby1yb2JlcnQtbWVuZW5kZXotMjE0OTcxP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9dHdpdHRlcmZlZWQmdXRtX21lZGl1bT10d2l0dGVyIyEjIQ/186/0>, “Mexican post held hostage over Cuba,” 10/21/15] Menendez Claimed He Wasn’t Taking Out Cuba Frustrations On Jacobson, Despite Not Being Able To Name Any Other Objections... “In an interview, Menendez said that he wasn't taking out his Cuba frustrations on Jacobson; he has additional concerns about her nomination related to the administration's policies across Latin America. But he wouldn’t say what his objections are or whether he will vote against her in committee or slow her nomination on the Senate floor. ‘That is wrong. I have concerns about her nomination, but not because she participated in the Cuba negotiations,’ Menendez said. ‘When I determine exactly what I intend to do, if it is to oppose her, I will describe the reasons but they will not be based upon her negotiation.’” [Politico <https://cubanow.us/r/E/MTQyNDI/MjM3NQ/0/0/bHVrZWFsYmVlQGdtYWlsLmNvbQ/aHR0cDovL3d3dy5wb2xpdGljby5jb20vc3RvcnkvMjAxNS8xMC9tZXhpY28tY3ViYS1tYXJjby1ydWJpby1yb2JlcnQtbWVuZW5kZXotMjE0OTcxP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9dHdpdHRlcmZlZWQmdXRtX21lZGl1bT10d2l0dGVyIyEjIQ/186/0>, “Mexican post held hostage over Cuba,” 10/21/15] …But Menendez And Rubio “Have Tried Repeatedly To Trip Up The Obama Administration’s Nominees Due To Their Views On Cuba.” “‘We have a person who is eminently qualified. No one disagrees with her qualifications. There’s no justification to hold this individual up,’ Cardin said. ‘We have drugs. We have immigrants and refugees, we have bilateral economic relations, we have environmental relations. We have so many things going on with Mexico, we need a confirmed ambassador representing our interests.’ Rubio and Menendez have tried repeatedly to trip up the Obama administration’s nominees due to their views on Cuba. Rubio temporarily blocked <https://cubanow.us/r/E/MTQyNTQ/MjM3NQ/0/0/bHVrZWFsYmVlQGdtYWlsLmNvbQ/aHR0cDovL3RoZWhpbGwuY29tL2Jsb2dzL2Zsb29yLWFjdGlvbi9ob3VzZS8yMDAyMTUtcnViaW8tdG8tcmVzdW1lLWhvbGRzLW9uLXR3by13ZXN0ZXJuLWhlbWlzcGhlcmUtbm9taW5lZXMtb3Zlci1jdWJhIyEjIQ/186/0>Jacobson’s 2011 nomination to her current post, in part over Cuba. Back in 2009, Menendez reportedly opposed the ultimately successful nomination of Carlos Pascual for the Mexico job; Pascual had helped write a paper arguing for normalizing ties with Cuba.” [Politico <https://cubanow.us/r/E/MTQyNTk/MjM3NQ/0/0/bHVrZWFsYmVlQGdtYWlsLmNvbQ/aHR0cDovL3d3dy5wb2xpdGljby5jb20vc3RvcnkvMjAxNS8xMC9tZXhpY28tY3ViYS1tYXJjby1ydWJpby1yb2JlcnQtbWVuZW5kZXotMjE0OTcxP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9dHdpdHRlcmZlZWQmdXRtX21lZGl1bT10d2l0dGVyIyEjIQ/186/0>, “Mexican post held hostage over Cuba,” 10/21/15]