Well this solves the "Mystery of Disappeared White House Appointee Michael Hammer" (Nancy Drew veterans never give up until there is a solution), along with a few other questions/speculations. No, the SOS did not make the announcement herself (I thought that prediction a bit heavy at the time I read it), and no, the announcement was not released on Monday. So here is the scoop!
Bureau of Public Affairs Front Office Changes
Media Note
Office of the SpokesmanWashington, DCMay 26, 2011The State Department announces that Ambassador Victoria Nuland will serve as State Department Spokesperson and Mark Toner will serve as Deputy Spokesperson. Mike Hammer is the Acting Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs, Dana Shell Smith will serve as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, and Michael Ratney will serve as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Media. Cheryl Benton remains as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Outreach and Philippe Reines as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Strategic Communications.
Following Ambassador Nuland’s departure from the Bureau of Arms Control, Verification and Compliance, Assistant Secretary Rose Gottemoeller will resume lead responsibility for issues related to the Conventional Armed Forces in Europe Treaty.
So, on this note, we congratulate Ambassador Nuland on her new appointment, thank Mark Toner for his wise and intrepid service in an acting position (knowing we will continue to see him when Ambassador Nuland is otherwise occupied), and wish International Man of Mystery, Mike Hammer luck in his "acting" job.
