Sec. Kerry scores on diplomatic gifts

[MBS]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/and-the-band-didnt-play-on-/2013/03/05/fb081c34-85b5-11e2-9d71-f0feafdd1394_story.html

Starts with a depressing account of effect of sequester on the US Army Band.
Next section is about Sec. Kerry's triumphs in diplomatic gift-giving
for once, something nice from Al Kamen (WaPO, The Federal Page, March 6) (Miracles do happen!) My only objection was his "hat-tip" to State's chief of protocol: hey, Al, the gift was not just something chosen by the chief of protocol to be mechanically presented by the SoS: it has Sec. Kerry's personal touch all over it.

Cowboy diplomacy

Secretary of State John Kerry looks to be scoring early points for diplomatic gift-giving with what we hear was a hit of a present to his counterpart, British Foreign Secretary William Hague, during a stop in London last week.

Kerry presented Hague with a pair of fine tan Western-style leather boots purchased from Silver Creek Outfitters in Ketchum, Idaho. (Kerry and his wife, Teresa Heinz Kerry, have a home nearby in Sun Valley, and the SecState has been known to sport a few pairs of his own from the purveyor). The kicks were handmade in Texas (natch) by the famed Lucchese Boot Co., and they had Hague’s initials hand-tooled into the shins by an Idaho saddle maker. We’re told they went over big, with Hague promising they would be “well worn.”

Kerry’s fashion flourish may have inspired a bit of an across-the-pond trend: Prime Minister David Cameron and Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne apparently expressed interest to U.S. officials about getting their own pairs.
No doubt Kerry owes a tip of the 10-gallon hat to ambassador and chief of protocol Capricia Marshall, who helps select such diplomatic gifts.

They appear to be getting off on the right foot.

[karynnj]

1. It's funny that any reader reading it would see it as JK's idea

After all, he has a pair and they are from the town that he and Teresa have a home in -- and they were personalized nearby in Idaho! It is also more likely that JK knows Hague better than Ms Marshall and he may have known he would like them. He likely did get her approval and her office might have gotten his size from his people.

It almost seems he wants to impress people by knowing the woman's name.

[wisteria]

2. Agree. n/t

[MBS]

3. I agree that Ms. Marshall must have helped

I can totally see her making discreet inquiries about shoe size, etc, on his behalf and JK having a conversation with her about protocol and gift possibilities