Posted: 3:01 pm EDT
Updated: 4:08 pm EDT
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“Former Pentagon spokesman Adm. John Kirby to retire from military, replace Jen Psaki as @StateDept spokesman http://t.co/bhAs2fbHZL
— Matt Lee (@APDiploWriter) April 22, 2015
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Look out @APDiploWriter! Former Pentagon Spokesman Rear Adm. John Kirby heading to be State Dept. spokesman: http://t.co/8TzYQhFpID
— Dion Nissenbaum (@DionNissenbaum) April 22, 2015
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Ousted from the Pentagon, Rear Adm. John Kirby ready to take over the State Dept. podium. http://t.co/LVonSytUuw pic.twitter.com/nCxoYPkIk0
— Foreign Policy (@ForeignPolicy) April 22, 2015
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CNN: Pentagon spokesman Kirby to shift to State Department http://t.co/Iuxrdjqh68 from @eliselabottcnn and @cnnjamie
— CNN NationalSecurity (@NatSecCNN) April 22, 2015
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Anyone else looking forward to Kirby mixing it up with @APDiploWriter? http://t.co/jkRFhTfoiL By @HenschOnTheHill
— Martin Matishak (@martinmatishak) April 22, 2015
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Adm. John Kirby beats out @marieharf for State Department Spokesperson http://t.co/VMJvJcHSL2 @BV
— Josh Rogin (@joshrogin) April 22, 2015
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Greatly admired Kirby at DOD, but what’s up? No qualified FSO?
I know some folks watched DOD with envy when they had Admiral Kirby at the podium. I don’t think it’s a question of not having qualified FSOs. I wonder if this is a reflection of the Secretary’s relationship with the career Foreign Service. I would have preferred the appointment of a career diplomat to speak for the building. That said, I am pleased Kirby is the choice given the imagined alternatives.