President Barack Obama has tapped a former top aide of his predecessor George W Bush to a key post on a board overseeing government-sponsored international broadcasting. Dana Perino, the first Republican woman to serve as White House press secretary, was appointed late yesterday to the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG).
“I’m honoured by the president’s announcement and I’m looking forward to serving on the bipartisan board, if I’m confirmed,” Perino said. She currently serves as chief issues counsellor for the United States at international public relations firm Burson-Marsteller and as a contributor to the Fox News Channel, which has sparred with the Obama administration over the past several months.
Mr Obama also nominated Walter Isaacson, president of the Aspen Institute leadership group and former CNN chief executive and Time magazine editor, to serve as BBG chairman. He was one of eight people tapped to serve on the board, including Sony Pictures Entertainment chairman and CEO Michael Lynton, Susan McCue, Michael Meehan, Victor Ashe, Dennis Mulhaupt and S Enders Wimbush.
All nominees must next be confirmed by the Senate.
(Source: AFP)
