Perry Doesn't Like Career Diplomats, Either

Rick Perry may not be able to remember exactly which agencies he wants to close down, but he does know that even in the ones that he would keep open, he doesn't trust the people working for them.

The Washington Post's Joe Davidson reports that Perry said the following on a radio program this week with Fox News host Bill O'Reilly:

I'm not sure our State Department serves us well. I'm not talking about the secretary of state here. I'm talking about the career diplomats and the secretary of state, who all too often may not be making decisions or giving advice to the administration that's in this country's best interest.

Understandably, career diplomats aren't pleased with Perry's interpretation of their role and their service -- often in dangerous areas around the world. The American Foreign Service Association issued a statement saying Perry's remarks "reflect a serious misunderstanding" of what diplomats do. "Diplomacy is rightly recognized as the first line of defense and a vital instrument for ensuring national security, along with the military," AFSA said. "Foreign Service professionals carry out their role with exemplary dedication all over the world, including war zones and other dangerous regions."

Questioning the competence of the people who work for government is par for the course these days, but saying they are operating outside of "this country's best interest" is tantamount to questioning their loyalty. That is, to say the least, unfortunate.