Marie Yovanovich gets a looooong standing ovation at the Georgetown School of Foreign Service 
Yovanovich, addressing the students at the Georgetown School of Foreign Service: “To those of you who haven’t *yet* decided to go to work for the American people, I hope tonight I can convince you.”
Even after all of that, she’s encouraging young people to become diplomats.
Even after all of that, she’s encouraging young people to become diplomats.
Yovanovich: “That creaking sound we can all hear? That’s the sound of the institutions of the international order straining under the tremendous pressure they’ve been put under. They need a reboot, not THE boot.”
Yovanovich: “It’s not news that the State Department is being hollowed out from within. This is no time to undermine our diplomats.”
Yovanovich: “We are not the deep state. We’re the deeply committed state.”
Amb. Bill Burns, introducing the Q&A with Yovanovich, says he understands the audience was promised an “enthralling” Q&A, “but I don’t think I can rise to the Devin Nunes level of enthralling questions.”
Amb. Burns: “I want to thank Masha for the dignified way in which she has conducted herself in such undignified times.”
Yovanovich discusses all the silver linings she has discovered “when you go through some things.”
Yovanovich: “This has been a through-the-looking-glass experience.”
Yovanovich compares Ukraine to the United States 30 years after the Declaration of Independence when Thomas Jefferson “was wondering if we’re going to make it.” Says we need to help Ukraine make it.
Yovanovich admits State Department needs to do a better job of explaining to the American people what the Dept does and why it’s important.
Yovanovich describes all the letters she’s received in the last few month from people she knows and those she’s never met. “It’s a little bit like going to your own funeral.”
Meanwhile, the journalists (not just me!) at the event have not been allowed to ask questions so they’re sitting here, itching to ask a question and grumbling at the soft questions at the foreign service love-fest.
Yovanovich: “One thing I’ve learned over the years is you never know who’s going to become president.” When laughter breaks out, she clarifies: “I’m talking about overseas!”
