Branstad 'honored and humbled' over nomination

Iowa Governor Terry Branstad has accepted the post of U. S. Ambassador to China.

Iowa Governor Terry Branstad has accepted the post of U. S. Ambassador to China.

WEBVTT WEALTHY THE FIRST FEMALE GOVERNOR IN THE STATE EVER AS OUR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, KIM REYNOLDS, WILL BE MOVING UP. IT'S A RELATIONSHIP THAT GOES BACK MORE THAN 30 YEARS, WHEN GOVERNOR BRANSTAD FIRST MET XI JINPING, NOW THE CHINESE PRESIDENT HERE ON A TRADE MISSION IN 1985. >> >> HE TOURED THE STATE AS A LOW-LEVEL AG PERSON, LEARNING ABOUT HOW WE GROW THINGS, HOW WE FEED OUR PEOPLE. CYNTHIA: TIM ALBRECHT WAS BRANSTAD'S SPOKESPERSON FROM 2009 TO 2013. >> THE PEOPLE OF CHINA RESPECT AND VALUE HIM, AND THERE IS A KINSHIP THERE. NO INTRODUCTION WILL BE NEEDED. HE'LL BE WELCOMED WITH OPEN ARMS. CYNTHIA: BRANSTAD STILL NEEDS TO BE CONFIRMED BY THE U.S. SENATE A PROCESS THAT WOULD BEGIN AFTER , THE INAUGURATION JANUARY 20. THAT MEANS HE WOULD STILL OVERSEE THE START OF THE IOWA LEGISLATIVE SESSION, WORKI WITH THE REPUBLICAN HOUSE AND SENATE ON ISSUES LIKE WATER QUALITY, TAX REFORM AND COLLECTIVE BARGAINING. KIM REYNOLDS WOULD THEN TAKE OVER, CHOOSING HER OWN LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR. >> IOWANS CAN BE ASSURED THERE WILL BE A SMOOTH TRANSITION WHEN SHE ASSUMES THE ROLE OF GOVERNOR PERRY DENNIS: EVERY SINCE HE WAS REELECTED IN 2010, HE WANTED TO MAKE KIM REYNOLDS THE FIRST FEMALE GOVERNOR IN IOWA. CYNTHIA: REYNOLDS HAD SHOWN INTEREST IN RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR IN 2018 SO THIS WOULD GIVE HER THE INCUMBENT'S ADVANTAGE. DENNIS: THIS GIVES HER A WAY TO POSSIBLY AVOID A CONTESTED PRIMARY.

Branstad 'honored and humbled' over nomination

Iowa Governor Terry Branstad has accepted the post of U. S. Ambassador to China.

BRANSTAD HONORED AND HUMBLED Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad says he's "honored and humbled" that President-elect Donald Trump has chosen him as ambassador to China. In a statement released Wednesday after Trump announced his appointment, Branstad noted his long ties to Chinese President Xi Jinping, whom he first met in 1985. Branstad said "the respect and admiration built over a decades-old friendship between President Xi and I give me an opportunity to help the President-elect and serve Iowa, the United States and the world for the better." In his statement, Branstad also noted the nearly 22 years he's served as governor. He said "America is at a crossroads, and the American people are looking for bold change to renew our position as the leader in the world." FULL STATEMENT: "After long discussions with my family, I am honored and humbled to accept President-elect Trump’s nomination to represent our great country as Ambassador to China," said Gov. Branstad. "I have known President Xi Jinping for many years and consider him an old friend. I look forward to building on our long friendship to cultivate and strengthen the relationship between our two countries and to benefit our economy. I am grateful for the opportunity I had to serve as Governor of Iowa and I look forward to serving in this extraordinary new role. Chris and I will always keep Iowa close to our hearts." UPDATE: An aide to President-elect Donald Trump confirmed on Wednesday that Trump has offered to nominate Republican Gov. Terry Branstad for the ambassadorship to China, and that the governor has accepted. Trump aide Jason Miller confirmed the appointment and said a formal statement announcing the appointment will be released later Wednesday. PREVIOUSLY: Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad has accepted the post of U. S. Ambassador to China, according to a report from CBS News. Branstad met with President-elect Donald Trump Tuesday in New York City. Branstad spoke with reporters following that meeting but declined to reveal if he had been offered a job in the administration. A Bloomberg report cites three people close to the matter who asked to remain anonymous. Branstad spokesperson Deb Hammes said these reports are premature and not accurate. "I want to say that Governor Branstad is an old friend of the Chinese people. We welcome him to play a greater role in advancing the development of China-U.S. relations," foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang told a daily press briefing when asked about the report Branstad would become ambassador. Trump had said previously that Branstad would be an ideal candidate for the ambassador post, citing his long history with Iowa's sister-state. Chinese President Xi Jinping has been to Iowa several times, including in 2012 when he was honored with a State Dinner. Branstad's move to China would end his reign as the longest-serving governor in U. S. history, serving first from 1983 to 1999 and again taking office in 2011. Branstad's departure would mean Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds would become Iowa's first female governor. There is no word on when a formal announcement may be made, but President-elect Trump will be in Des Moines on Thursday. He's holding a rally at Hy-Vee Hall as part of his thank-you tour across the U.S. REACTION “I commend President-Elect Donald Trump for his decision to appoint Governor Terry Branstad as America’s ambassador to China,” stated Iowa GOP Chairman Jeff Kaufmann. “Over the decades as Governor, Terry Branstad has forged a unique and lasting relationship with Chinese President Xi Jinping. He is immensely qualified to strengthen the United States’ relationship with China and to promote economic prosperity and cultural understanding between the two nations. On a personal note, it is an honor to call Governor Terry Branstad a dear friend, and I wish him the very best in this future endeavor.” Iowa GOP Co-Chairman Cody Hoefert stated, “While Iowans will certainly miss Governor Branstad and his extraordinary service and leadership in this state, all Americans are incredibly fortunate to have the Governor serve in this critical leadership position.” "Congratulations to Governor Branstad. This is an incredibly important post to take. Governor Branstad's long-term relationship with China's President will hopefully result not only in a strong, positive relationship with China on behalf of the United States of America, but also a continued partnership with Iowa farmers, whose ag commodities are a central component of US trade--a boon for Iowa's rural economy," said Iowa Democratic Party Chair Dr. Andy McGuire. "He is tenacious. He is hard-working. He cares deeply about business and agriculture. He's a promoter, and that's what ambassadors do, they promote. They make sure that if there are barriers or problems to getting american-made products and goods into a country, they work to make a difference," said Secretary of Agriculture and former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack. Vilsack said he cannot think of someone who would be better suited for the position than Branstad. “Congratulations to Governor Branstad and best of luck in his new endeavor as Ambassador to China. He is uniquely qualified to serve in this position based on his longtime relationship with President Xi Jinping as well as his record of results on trade while serving as Governor. Gov. Branstad’s appointment is great for Iowa and America,” said Iowa House Speaker Linda Upmeyer. “Lt. Gov. Reynolds is an energetic leader with years of experience working with the Legislature. I look forward to continue working closely with her to make Iowa the premier place to raise a family or grow a business. Iowa Republicans continue to lead the way elevating women to public office.”

DES MOINES, Iowa —

BRANSTAD HONORED AND HUMBLED

Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad says he's "honored and humbled" that President-elect Donald Trump has chosen him as ambassador to China.

In a statement released Wednesday after Trump announced his appointment, Branstad noted his long ties to Chinese President Xi Jinping, whom he first met in 1985. Branstad said "the respect and admiration built over a decades-old friendship between President Xi and I give me an opportunity to help the President-elect and serve Iowa, the United States and the world for the better."

In his statement, Branstad also noted the nearly 22 years he's served as governor.

He said "America is at a crossroads, and the American people are looking for bold change to renew our position as the leader in the world."

FULL STATEMENT:

"After long discussions with my family, I am honored and humbled to accept President-elect Trump’s nomination to represent our great country as Ambassador to China," said Gov. Branstad. "I have known President Xi Jinping for many years and consider him an old friend. I look forward to building on our long friendship to cultivate and strengthen the relationship between our two countries and to benefit our economy. I am grateful for the opportunity I had to serve as Governor of Iowa and I look forward to serving in this extraordinary new role. Chris and I will always keep Iowa close to our hearts."

UPDATE:

An aide to President-elect Donald Trump confirmed on Wednesday that Trump has offered to nominate Republican Gov. Terry Branstad for the ambassadorship to China, and that the governor has accepted.

Trump aide Jason Miller confirmed the appointment and said a formal statement announcing the appointment will be released later Wednesday.

PREVIOUSLY:

Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad has accepted the post of U. S. Ambassador to China, according to a report from CBS News.

Branstad met with President-elect Donald Trump Tuesday in New York City. Branstad spoke with reporters following that meeting but declined to reveal if he had been offered a job in the administration.

A Bloomberg report cites three people close to the matter who asked to remain anonymous.

Branstad spokesperson Deb Hammes said these reports are premature and not accurate.

"I want to say that Governor Branstad is an old friend of the Chinese people. We welcome him to play a greater role in advancing the development of China-U.S. relations," foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang told a daily press briefing when asked about the report Branstad would become ambassador.

Trump had said previously that Branstad would be an ideal candidate for the ambassador post, citing his long history with Iowa's sister-state.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has been to Iowa several times, including in 2012 when he was honored with a State Dinner.

Branstad's move to China would end his reign as the longest-serving governor in U. S. history, serving first from 1983 to 1999 and again taking office in 2011.

Branstad's departure would mean Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds would become Iowa's first female governor.

There is no word on when a formal announcement may be made, but President-elect Trump will be in Des Moines on Thursday. He's holding a rally at Hy-Vee Hall as part of his thank-you tour across the U.S.

REACTION

“I commend President-Elect Donald Trump for his decision to appoint Governor Terry Branstad as America’s ambassador to China,” stated Iowa GOP Chairman Jeff Kaufmann. “Over the decades as Governor, Terry Branstad has forged a unique and lasting relationship with Chinese President Xi Jinping. He is immensely qualified to strengthen the United States’ relationship with China and to promote economic prosperity and cultural understanding between the two nations. On a personal note, it is an honor to call Governor Terry Branstad a dear friend, and I wish him the very best in this future endeavor.”

Iowa GOP Co-Chairman Cody Hoefert stated, “While Iowans will certainly miss Governor Branstad and his extraordinary service and leadership in this state, all Americans are incredibly fortunate to have the Governor serve in this critical leadership position.”

"Congratulations to Governor Branstad. This is an incredibly important post to take. Governor Branstad's long-term relationship with China's President will hopefully result not only in a strong, positive relationship with China on behalf of the United States of America, but also a continued partnership with Iowa farmers, whose ag commodities are a central component of US trade--a boon for Iowa's rural economy," said Iowa Democratic Party Chair Dr. Andy McGuire.

"He is tenacious. He is hard-working. He cares deeply about business and agriculture. He's a promoter, and that's what ambassadors do, they promote. They make sure that if there are barriers or problems to getting american-made products and goods into a country, they work to make a difference," said Secretary of Agriculture and former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack.

Vilsack said he cannot think of someone who would be better suited for the position than Branstad.

“Congratulations to Governor Branstad and best of luck in his new endeavor as Ambassador to China. He is uniquely qualified to serve in this position based on his longtime relationship with President Xi Jinping as well as his record of results on trade while serving as Governor. Gov. Branstad’s appointment is great for Iowa and America,” said Iowa House Speaker Linda Upmeyer. “Lt. Gov. Reynolds is an energetic leader with years of experience working with the Legislature. I look forward to continue working closely with her to make Iowa the premier place to raise a family or grow a business. Iowa Republicans continue to lead the way elevating women to public office.”

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