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Our man in Dublin

February 16, 2011

By Staff Reporter

By Susan Falvella Garraty

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Putting an end to months of speculation and quite intensive lobbying efforts by some hopefuls, the White House has confirmed that former Wyoming governor Michael Sullivan is its choice to succeed Jean Kennedy Smith as U.S. ambassador to Ireland.

Sullivan’s success in the ambassadorial race was announced during a White House press conference late last week by Jim Steinberg, President Clinton’s deputy national security advisor.

Sullivan’s nomination is widely expected to be approved early next year by the U.S. Senate, although there are indications that such approval might come sooner.

Sullivan is presently at home in his native Casper, Wyo., recovering from heart bypass surgery, which he described in an interview with the Echo as having been a success.

"I feel much better than I thought I would," Sullivan said.

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Mr. Sullivan has three grown children who, he said, "were thrilled and will somehow manage to make it over" to Dublin while their father is ambassador.

"I think the president’s trip at this time underscores the importance he places on Ireland and I very much look forward to helping him as ambassador," Sullivan said in regard to this week’s Irish visit by the president and first lady.

He said he looked forward to meeting with representatives in the Irish American community as he is prepared for the Irish post by the State Department.

While governor of Wyoming in 1991, Sullivan pitched his flag beside a then fledgling presidential candidate named Bill Clinton, long before many others in the Democratic leadership did.

The two men have been close friends since and this is certain to help Sullivan in terms of being an effective ambassador with rapid access to the very top of the Clinton administration.

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