PING!
Posted on 5/28/2006, 5:41:46 PM by GMMAC
U.S. ambassador a Canuck-at-heart
TORONTO SUN
Sunday, May 28, 2006
By MICHELE MANDEL
OTTAWA -- After a year as U.S. ambassador to Canada, David Wilkins can now hum a few bars of O Canada and even tell you where maple syrup comes from.
"That was a set-up," he protests, a sheepish note creeping into a South Carolina drawl as thick as the Canadian syrup. "It comes from a maple tree."
Not only that, this transplanted southerner has adopted our national passion ("I was pulling very hard for the Senators to win"), loves Beavertails, has sampled poutine ("I like the french fries," he says diplomatically) and has skated the Rideau Canal.
And what does he do for fun? "I sit on my porch," he confides, "drinking Moosehead beer and smoking cigars."
George W. Bush's new man in Ottawa has come a long way from his abysmal debut on CBC radio's As It Happens when, just a day after being nominated by his good friend, Wilkins was ambushed on Canadian trivia and found wanting.
He's been making up for it ever since.
If there's a new detente in strained Canadian-American relations, much of it can be attributed to the easygoing manner of the tall, genteel ambassador with a Canadian/American pin on his lapel and his initials embroidered on his French cuffs. Over lunch at his residence, he exudes the warm southern wit and charm that has won over so many of his early critics.
Wilkins was originally savaged by the media as an ultra-conservative Bush crony with no knowledge of Canada. To be fair, though, the former lawyer hails from the land of Dixie, about as far from the border as you can get. He spent 25 years in the South Carolina legislature, 11 as the well-respected speaker, where Canada was hardly a blip on the radar. His only venture north of the border was a fall weekend in Niagara Falls when he was in the army stationed in Indiana. "It was a long time ago -- 1971 -- I had hair then," laughs the balding 59-year-old.
It's almost hard to believe that this southern gentleman is described as a Bush family attack dog who helped rescue George W. in the 2000 primary after rival Sen. John McCain was steamrolling toward South Carolina looking for another victory.
PLUM POSTING
Wilkins not only ran both of his successful state campaigns, he was also a coveted Bush "Ranger," a distinction bestowed on anyone raising more than $200,000 US in 2004.
For his loyalty, Wilkins had already been offered a spot as a federal judge and the ambassadorship to Chile. He turned down both, holding out instead for the plum posting to Ottawa.
Wilkins spent three weeks at ambassador school in Washington and read everything he could on Canada. He readily admits that he knew little about this country but insists that was actually an advantage. "I came up here without any preconceived notions or prior prejudices. I'd also respectfully submit that I've probably seen more of Canada now than most Canadians have. I've seen more of Canada than I have of the U.S."
Since presenting his credentials to then Prime Minister Paul Martin on June 29, the 21st U.S. ambassador to Canada -- only the 3rd from the south -- has been to every province and territory, clocking 160,000 km in the air as he's visited diamond mines in Yellowknife and patted a (sedated) 650-pound polar bear in Churchill.
"The country is vast and beautiful. It really is. Americans are probably not nearly as aware of it as I would like them to be."
When he's not delivering speeches around the nation, his base is Lornado, the official ambassador's residence. "Here, let me give you a tour," he says. "We've got a pretty nice house."
In fact, one of the first things an envious Martin told him was "your house is nicer than mine."
Set on 4 lush hectares in tony Rockliffe Park, the graceful three-storey, 32-room limestone manor was originally built in 1908 and purchased by the American government in 1935.
The entrance hall fireplace is flanked by the American and Canadian flags, the floors are blond hardwood, the walls, a warm butter yellow. Martha and George Washington smile from the library but most of the art on display is on loan from South Carolina artists. A piano is dotted with family photos of wife Susan and sons Robert and James while sprinkled everywhere are pictures of Wilkins with the President.
GORGEOUS SUNSETS
The highlight of the tour, though, lies up three flights of stairs to the rooftop patio. "I think it's the prettiest view in Ottawa," Wilkins says, looking out at a spectacular vista of the Ottawa and Gatineau rivers. "The sunsets here are gorgeous."
The Ottawa winters, however, are another story.
Asked by the president how he was faring after they met in Cancun during the Three Amigos meeting in March, Wilkins confessed that while Canadians were telling him this was the mildest winter ever, it was the coldest he'd seen. "Not seeing the ground or grass for two months is nothing I've ever experienced," he chuckles.
To compensate, Wilkins has made sure to bring a little of the South past the Mason-Dixon line. He still chows down on his favourite boiled peanuts and shrimp and grits. And thanks to the wonders of cable, he doesn't miss his alma mater Clemson Tigers or the University of South Carolina Gamecocks.
But into that crowded schedule, he now fits in the Stanley Cup playoffs. And should the final involve Edmonton, he'll be ready to sing the once-elusive words to O Canada.
"I'm learning the job, I'm still learning it, but I think I'm making progress," Wilkins says. "I really do pinch myself every day. It really is fantastic to be in Canada."
PING!
I've found that I can call things "French" again.
As long as it is accompanied by the proper gallic sneer.
There's a story about Bush I - whenever he would appoint an ambassador, he would bring them into his office and ask them what country they were representing - most of them gave the wrong answer - THE ANSWER IS: the UNITED STATES.
I don't want an ambassador who represents Canada - I want an ambassador who represents the UNITED STATES.
Actually, that was SecState George Schultz who asked that question of his minions.
Poutine Rocks!!
Okay .. I kept thinking it was Bush I - thanks for the correction. But .. Schultz was in the Bush I cabinet .. wasn't he - I can't keep them straight!
I'm not blaming anybody .. I just want a U.S. Ambassador to SUPPORT THE U.S. - and not Canada. He's a guest in Canada, and should not be taking sides in their policies.
Looks like you have a really smart guy in Harper.
Thanks for posting this. I didn't know there had been a switch.
Wasn't the last ambassador to Canada that moron from Massachusetts, the ex-governor who thought that "fisting for third-graders" was a good idea for the government schools? I forget the guy's name. (Looking it up....) Paul Cellucci.
Whatever happened to that guy?
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