In Paris, Kerry slammed for ‘You’ve Got a Friend’ diplomacy
While the Obama administration is still taking flak for failing to send a top-level official to a Paris anti-terrorism rally, Secretary of State John Kerry is now being mocked for bringing France the music of singer-songwriter James Taylor.
{mosads}Speaking with French President François Hollande, Kerry expressed “the full and heartfelt condolences of the American people” for the terrorist attacks of this past month, beginning with the strike on the satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo.
He was joined by Taylor who performed his well-known version of the Carole King song “You’ve Got a Friend.” Taylor was in Paris promoting an upcoming European tour.
The move to involve Taylor immediately drew criticism on social media, particularly from conservatives.
Nothing screams tough on terror and never again more than having James Taylor sing at a press conference. Wow. https://t.co/P6WUkiBH9N
— Brian Walsh (@brianjameswalsh) January 16, 2015
State Dept filled with political, diplomatic pros. Did no one say, “Having James Taylor sing will make us look pathetic?”
— Doug Heye (@DougHeye) January 16, 2015
Kerry to bring James Taylor to Iran talks, will perform medley of Sweet Baby James and Carolina on my Mind for Mohammed Javad Zarif
— Noah Pollak (@NoahPollak) January 16, 2015
Kerry, for his part, praised the French for their response to the attacks.
“But the American people watch you and your team, and indeed all of the government lead with great elegance and grace in this week, during this difficult time,” he said, according to the State Department “And we watched the people of France come together with a great sense of purpose and unity. It was a great lesson to the world, I think.”
The visit comes after critics slammed the White House for not sending anyone with a higher profile than the U.S. ambassador to France to a solidarity march on Sunday in the aftermath of the attacks. The event was attended by dozens of other heads of state from around the world.
The White House said this week it had erred in failing to send a high-level delegate to the event. Attorney General Eric Holder was in Paris at the time but did not attend the rally.
