WASHINGTON
The White House on Thursday defended President Barack Obama’s nominee for the number two spot at the State Department, hours after a senior senator blocked the potential appointment.
“The fact of the matter is that Mr. Blinken is somebody who has a distinguished record of service and decades of foreign policy experience,” White House press secretary Josh Earnst said in reference to Tony Blinken, Obama’s nominee to be America’s second-highest ranking diplomat.
Earnest further defended Blinken, citing his seven years in senior positions in the Bill Clinton administration and six years as a staff director of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He currently serves as Obama's principal deputy national security advisor.
"This is somebody who knows the world, who’s got ample experience representing the United States of America, and has done so with distinction," Earnest said.
Earlier Thursday, Republican Sen. John McCain told reporters that he has placed a hold on Blinken’s nomination, saying he is “totally unqualified” to hold the post.
The Arizona senator sharply criticized comments Blinken made more than two years ago when he reportedly said the U.S was leaving Iraq in its wealthiest and most secure era in history.
McCain has been one of the most vocal critics of the Obama administration's foreign policy, particularly its decision to withdraw U.S. troops from Iraq in 2011.
The administration tried to keep U.S. forces in the country but the then-Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki refused to sign an immunity agreement for U.S. troops.
Senators can place a hold on a presidential nominee, effectively blocking an appointment. The Senate Foreign Relations committee was scheduled Thursday to vote on Blinken's nomination.
McCain is slotted to assume the top spot on the Senate Armed Services committee when Republicans take control of the Senate in January.
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