Ensign will support Las Vegan’s nomination to State Department

Benjamin Grove

Thursday, June 30, 2005 | 9:52 a.m.

WASHINGTON -- Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., gave a hearty endorsement to Las Vegan Henrietta Holsman Fore in her nomination to a top State Department job, following a meeting with her on Wednesday.

Ensign has supported Fore but wanted to meet with her after Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., last week sought to delay her nomination over what he perceived to be racially insensitive comments she made at Wellesley College 18 years ago.

Ensign, who had also backed Fore in her nomination to her current job as director of the U.S. Mint, said he had a frank discussion with Fore and was convinced she is qualified and capable.

"She was forthcoming and honest, and expressed a sincere dedication to promoting diversity at the department," Ensign said.

The New York Times 1987 reported that Fore, then a factory manager, had told a group of students that black workers were hard to keep on the job because they preferred to go back to the street to sell drugs. Fore ultimately resigned as a Wellesley trustee in the wake of a controversy over the comments.

Fore has declined comment while her nomination is pending. President Bush on May 10 nominated Fore to be Undersecretary of State for Management, a nomination that needs Senate approval. The job includes overseeing State Department human resources.

Fore in a June 9 Foreign Relations Committee hearing told Obama her comments from Wellesley had been mischaracterized. She said her comments were part of a question-and-answer session in which she tried to make a point that managers must fight stereotypes.

Obama has not decided whether to block Fore's nomination, which a single senator has the power to do. Obama planned to meet with Fore today, a spokesman said.

Last week Obama said he wanted more time to obtain an FBI confirmation report on Fore, which he viewed on Wednesday, spokesman Tommy Vietor said.

Fore also agreed to meet with the Congressional Black and Hispanic Caucuses, which Obama requested.

Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., has not decided whether he would support Fore, spokeswoman Tessa Hafen said. Reid plans to meet with Fore after the July 4 congressional recess.