Jim Leach for UN Ambassador

A few days ago, I suggested that outgoing Iowa Congressman and House International Relations Committee Member Jim Leach be made John Bolton's successor as a "100% Sure Senate-Confirmed" US Ambassador to the United Nations.

Actually, my pal Keith Porter wrote the suggestion to me -- and though I was already thinking it -- I need to give him credit for the nudge.

Today, Congressman Earl Blumenauer gave a "morning hour" speech on the House floor commending Jim Leach, his leadership in international affairs, and the valuable role President Bush should ask him to play as America's next Ambassador to the United Nations. Republican Congressman Jim Walsh is partnered with Blumenauer in this effort -- and later today, the offices of Earl Blumenauer and Jim Walsh will release a "Dear Colleague" to Members in the House and Senate advocating Jim Leach as US Ambassador to the UN.

There are a number of good choices of people we could send -- including in my book, current Under Secretary for Global Affairs PAULA DOBRIANSKY, current US Ambassador to Iraq ZALMAY KHALILZAD, RAND strategist JAMES DOBBINS, Legal Adviser to the Secretary of State JOHN BELLINGER, outgoing Senator LINCOLN CHAFEE and numerous others.

But JIM LEACH would fit the bill and bring heft and talents that few can match. I just learned that Leach actually started his career in the Foreign Service and had a stint at the United Nations.

The President would demonstrate that he's genuinely on a more constructive path if he punctuates the end of the Bolton battle with the nomination of Republican Congressman Jim Leach.

-- Steve Clemons is Senior Fellow and Director of the American Strategy Program at the New America Foundation and publishes the popular political blog, The Washington Note