James Glassman to replace Karen Hughes

President Bush has a habit of replacing mediocre appointees with quality ones. Think of Mukasey replacing Gonzales at Justice; Tony Snow replacing Scott McClellan; or Samuel Alito replacing Harriet Miers. I think he's made another such choice with appointing James Glassman to replace Karen Hughes in our outreach to the Muslim world.

President Bush intends to name a well-known conservative commentator and journalist to lead the State Department's struggling efforts to improve the U.S.'s image abroad, replacing long-time confidante Karen Hughes, who is leaving government by the end of the year, The Associated Press has learned.

Bush plans to tap James K. Glassman, now chairman of the Broadcasting Board of Governors, which oversees the Voice of America, to be the new undersecretary of state for public diplomacy and public affairs, administration officials said. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because the announcement has not yet been made.

I've always enjoyed Glassman's work. It may well be a hopeless task, but I wish him well.