Report: Rep. Pete King was offered Ireland envoy job

The Obama Administration’s strategic nominations could have been dismissed as chance, even after the president tapped electorally convenient GOP Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, Sen. Judd Gregg and Rep. John McHugh.

But if this is true, we can point the finger squarely at Rahm Emanuel and his DCCC roots.

The New York Daily News is reporting that Rep. Pete King (R-N.Y.) was offered the post of Ambassador to Ireland, which King declined.

There’s no on-the-record confirmation, but it makes sense: King is proud of his Irish roots and a chief proponent of Ireland-related issues.

It also makes sense because he has a seat that would be difficult for any other Republican to hold – just like McHugh and Gregg, whose nomination as Commerce Secretary fell through.

King offered this non-denial to the Daily News: “I talk to Rahm about a lot of things, but I keep those conversations private.”

Pittsburgh Steelers Chairman Dan Rooney has since been named to the ambassador post.