Report: State Department Spokesman PJ Crowley Resigns

Normally not that big of a deal but this guy is a real tool, even by the low standards one generally has for professional mouthpieces and people who work at the State Department.

It hasn't been confirmed yet but the reason is suspected to be his recent idiotic comments about the treatment of accused Wikileaks source Bradley Manning.

State Department spokesperson P.J. Crowley, speaking at an academic event regarding new media and foreign policy Thursday, called the treatment of accused Wikileaks leaker Pfc. Bradley Manning "ridiculous and counterproductive and stupid," according to reporting from BBC reporter Philippa Thomas.

Crowley was speaking at an event at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology when he was asked about the treatment of Manning, who is currently detained at the Marine Corps base in Quantico, Va.

Crowley criticized the Defense Department's handling of Manning but added that "Nonetheless Bradley Manning is in the right place." Crowley continued that "there is sometimes a need for secrets... for diplomatic progress to be made."

Crowley's comments got lost in the bigger news of Libya and then Japan but his fate was pretty well sealed on Friday when Obama was asked about them and Manning's treatment in general. Obama sidestepped the Crowley comments but said this about Manning's pre-trial confinement.

"With respect to Private Manning, you know, I have actually asked the Pentagon whether or not the procedures that have been taken in terms of his confinement are appropriate and are meeting our basic standards," Mr. Obama said. "They assured me that they are. I can't go into details about some of their concerns, but some of this has to do with Private Manning's safety as well."

Yeah, putting the President in that spot is not a career enhancing move.

I've long disliked Crowley because of his comments during the 2009 Iran uprising.

The State Department strongly rejected claims that the U.S. was interfering in the disputed June 12 election, pointing out that diplomats from other countries had also been summoned.

"I suspect we are in good company. As the president has said, we are not interfering in the debate that Iranians are having about their election and its aftermath," said State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley. "This is not about the United States."

If you follow the link, you'll see that I was not amused at the use of the word "debate" to describe the slaughter of peaceful protesters. My language was a tad bit harsh and somewhat unprofessional but I was infuriated at the time. In retrospect if I could do it over again...I"d use even harsher language.

Not that the next mouthpiece will be better or the policy they will be spinning for will be any more coherent but I'm happy to see this guy go.

posted by DrewM. at 12:02 PM

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