[FreedomPoster]

There’s nothing wrong with Ivanka being around for some ceremonial aspects of the visit. And I am long over the idea that only the State Department can properly represent and protect U.S. interests. That’s a pipe dream, and any thinking that this is the case just shows an ignorance of history.

[9YearLurker]

Yes, actually there is. Just the optics, let alone the potential for longer-term business gains from promoting Jivanka with world leaders like this:

https://nypost.com/2018/03/17/how-mcconnell-and-chao-used-political-power-to-make-their-family-rich/

[niteowl77]

And I am long over the idea that only the State Department can properly represent and protect U.S. interests.

WHAT?!!! the State Department is the ONLY entity with the ability to represent the U.S. and its interests! They have kept us out of wars, kept our balance of trade favorable, eliminated outside meddling in elections (ours and otherwise), stopped the proliferation of naughty weapons of mass and not-so-mass destruction, promoted healthy lifestyles and traditional morality around the globe, stamped out poverty and disease, and generally acted as indispensable, almost olympian savants despite being saddled with citizens who are ignorant, deplorable, provincial schlubs...who are ungrateful to boot.

This kind of diplomacy requires the intellect, altruism, charisma, and - dare I add - style of a Hillary Rodham Clinton or John Forbes Kerry... not an Ivanka Trump.

[snoringbear]

“And I am long over the idea that only the State Department can properly represent and protect U.S. interests”. Good, glad you’re over it. Actually, the U.S. has a long history, going back to the very beginning of the country, of using back channel civilian or unofficial intermederies to communicate with foreign governments. Nothing wrong with it. As I understand it Ivanka is very intelligent and a serious person. She can’t help it that she’s a looker.... 😉

[DoodleDawg]

There’s nothing wrong with Ivanka being around for some ceremonial aspects of the visit.

Ceremonial aspects? No. But she has no place being involved in serious policy decisions.