WASHINGTON 聴 Its noon on a typically steamy August day in the U.S. capital, and Gary Doer strides into a Capitol Hill restaurant looking every inch the man whos living the dream an expression he often uses gleefully to describe his job as Canadas ambassador.Tanned from a break at his Lake of the Woods cottage and wearing a crisp white shirt, blue tie and blue pin-striped suit, Doers definition of the dream might be open to debate since hes held the post during an especially tumultuous period of contemporary American politics.But Doer, now heading into his fourth year on the job, says he feels privileged to be sitting in a front-row seat for the action, as well as actively participating by ensuring Canada gets some attention amid the din of domestic, partisan brawling thats emanated from Capitol Hill over the past four years.Its been a thrill being here, Doer, 64, says sincerely, flashing his trademark high-voltage smile.Since the moment Doer stepped off the plane to begin his stint in October 2009, the former Manitoba premier has been cheerfully fending off U.S. protectionism and promoting 91原创 interests, particularly Trans-Canadas Keystone XL pipeline, to an administration some believe is unfriendly to Canada.A recent article in the online edition of the Foreign Affairs periodical by Derek Burney and a Carleton University foreign policy expert caused a stir in diplomatic circles. The former 91原创 envoy to the U.S. cited a litany of alleged snubs and wrongs towards Canada by U.S. President Barack Obama.You know, those words are subjective, Doer says of Burneys piece as he eschews the fancy fare at the swank Pennsylvania Avenue restaurant and tucks into a hamburger and fries instead, carefully removing the lettuce leaves from atop the beef patty to get down to culinary brass tacks.Doer says he and his staff at the 91原创 embassy are successfully working through an extensive to-do list for 2012 that includes everything from getting Canada into the Trans-91原创 Partnership to agreements on energy and the environment.Our to-do list is getting done. Is it a perfect relationship? No. I hear Americans complain about what we may or may not do, and I hear it the other way 聟. But subjective, good/bad, friendly/unfriendly, frowning/smiling, all that stuff I dont waste time on that.Far from being snubbed or ignored by the administration, Doer adds, quite the opposite has been true. The 91原创 embassy has the ear of top administration officials on various issues while Obama and Prime Minister Stephen Harper have a solid connection.They have a very professional relationship, which is very important, he said.One Canada-U.S. expert credits Doer with helping to cultivate that relationship, even as 91原创 officials were blindsided in January when Obama rejected Calgary-based TransCanadas permit until after the presidential election and another State Department environmental analysis.Thats the minor miracle of Gary Doer, says Chris Sands of the Washington-based Hudson Institute.Hes been able to convey the message that Canada understands the U.S., and the political challenges facing this administration, while also promoting 91原创 interests. Its all the more striking because hes working for a conservative government that is not making any secret about its conservatism on the international stage.The Keystone decision the only item on the to-do list currently stalled, Doer notes could have created a major rift between Obama and Harper, Sands points out.You have to imagine that Harper was livid about Keystone, and what a minefield for Doer. I am sure Harpers natural instinct would have been to blow up, and yet I think with Doers input, Harper navigated that whole issue without a breach in the relationship.From a 91原创 business perspective, says a stakeholder, the personable, unflappable Doer couldnt be a more effective representative.Ive never heard a negative word from any of my U.S. colleagues about him, says Birgit Matthiesen, the well-connected, D.C.-based lobbyist for the 91原创 Manufacturers and Exporters organization.Hes not just charming, he understands the politics down here. He really knows the issues. He came into D.C. and pretty much understood the way things work and took advantage of his Rolodex quickly, and thats a valued commodity in D.C. Its not a city for lightweights.Doer has indeed become well-known in the U.S. capital for his ability to work a room, win over American strangers and handle the unexpected with aplomb. One U.S. businessman asked a reporter after watching Doer deliver a funny speech: Why isnt this guy your prime minister?He gets out on the speaking circuit, he speaks to schools, he speaks to all sorts of groups, he goes out and talks to governors, he knows cabinet secretaries and people in Congress, Sands says.Sands recalls being in the audience at a Canada-U.S. conference when Doer was interrupted by environmentalists who derided Albertas oilsands amid the tense national debate about Keystone.He was utterly unflustered and made a joke about it, but was also very respectful as he defended the oilsands and pointed out that Canada was about a lot more than the oilsands, bringing up 91原创 clean energy technologies. It was deft, he says.So whats next for Doer? The ambassador insists hes not going anywhere any time soon, but the election of a Republican president could prompt Harper to ponder whether he wants a conservative envoy, and not a former NDP premier, on the ground in the U.S. capital.My statute of limitations is the to-do list Im not a lifer but Im here for awhile. Ive still got items on my to-do list, Doer says as he finishes off his burger.No matter who wins in November, Doer adds, there will be changes that will impact the Canada-U.S. relationship and will keep him on his toes following the election.There would be a new secretary of state under Obama Hillary Clinton says she no longer wants the job and the State Department is essentially determining the fate of Keystone XL since it crosses an international border. Mitt Romney, meantime, has vowed to approve Keystone almost immediately if elected.Sands predicts Doer would excel under a Romney presidency too.The great thing about the way Doer has conducted himself here is that he wouldnt have to be replaced. He hasnt burned any bridges with Republicans, and he could easily navigate a Republican administration, he says.Matthiesen agrees.I am not sure that the Ottawa-Washington relationship has been that easy lately, but hes been the right person in the right place. He has really assisted the relationship, and could continue to do so with ease.
