Roberta Jacobson: The Ambassador

The Oath with Chuck Rosenberg

MSNBC

Chuck Rosenberg, News, Biden, News Commentary, Government, Politics

4.8 • 15.8K Ratings

🗓️ 13 November 2019

⏱️ 82 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Roberta Jacobson was the United States Ambassador to Mexico from 2016 through 2018. A graduate of Brown University and the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, Roberta became an expert on the Americas and particularly on Mexico during her more than three decades of public service at the State Department. She enjoyed postings in Argentina and Peru, served as the Assistant Secretary of State for the Western Hemisphere, and led the US delegation that reestablished formal diplomatic ties with Cuba, at the behest of President Obama, in 2016. But Mexico was her focus. She was deeply respected on both sides of the border for her integrity, intellect, diligence, and brought a passion for Mexico and its history and people to her post. In this episode, Roberta talks to Chuck Rosenberg about the role of the State Department in foreign policy and international affairs and the vital work of the men and women dedicated to this crucial mission. She also discusses our relationship with Mexico and the challenges faced by both sides as we move forward. As usual, if you have thoughtful feedback or criticism please email us at [email protected].

Transcript

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0:00.0	I do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic.
0:11.0	But I will bear true faith and allegiance to the sea, that I take this obligation freely.
0:15.5	Without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion, and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter.
0:24.5	So help me God, so help me God.
0:26.5	So help me God.
0:30.0	Welcome to the oath. I'm Chuck Rosenberg and I am honored to be your host for another compelling conversation with a fascinating guest from the World of Public Service.
0:39.0	This week I sit down with Roberta Jacobson, the former United States Ambassador to Mexico.
0:45.0	Long before she became Ambassador Jacobson, Roberta worked for more than three decades in the State Department, focused on the Americas.
0:54.0	She was posted in Argentina, in Peru, and in 2015 she led a U.S. delegation to Havana for historic talks with the Cuban government.
1:04.0	But of the relationships we have with nations around the world, few are as vital to the United States or as central to our citizens and to our economy as our relationship with Mexico.
1:16.0	In 2016 President Barack Obama appointed our guest today as the United States Ambassador to Mexico.
1:24.0	Few people in our nation know more about that country than Roberta Jacobson.
1:29.0	She was deeply respected in both countries for the depth of her knowledge, the breadth of her experience, and her profound commitment to this complicated but vital relationship.
1:40.0	Roberta Jacobson, welcome to the oath.
1:42.0	Thanks, Chuck. Thanks for having me.
1:43.0	Oh, it's our pleasure. Thanks for doing it. Where are you from?
1:46.0	I'm from Englewood, Cliffson, New Jersey, on the palisades just across the George Washington bridge from New York City.
1:52.0	That's where you grew up.
1:53.0	Yeah, my parents moved there before I was born from Brooklyn. They made the sort of normal Jewish migration from Lower East Side to Brooklyn to the suburbs.
2:02.0	My mother thought she had been taken to some wilderness in the late 50s when they moved there, and it's one of the closest suburbs to New York City.
2:09.0	I was actually born in New York City.
2:11.0	Tell me a bit about your family if you don't mind.
	...

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