Ellison Tapped to ‘Improve America’s Image’

The Bush administration is turning to the first Muslim elected to Congress, U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison, to help rebuild America’s tarnished image in the Muslim world.

The Minneapolis Democrat said he’s more than willing to do that, despite disagreements with the administration’s foreign policy.

“I plan to talk to people in the State Department and anywhere I can to help try to improve America’s image in the Muslim world, make friends for our country,” he was quoted as saying. “I want to help win friends for our country and to isolate true enemies.”

The State Department’s Bureau of International Information Programs, which is charged with projecting the good image of America to the world, profiled Ellison in its website last month. That interview was translated into many languages, including Arabic and Farsi.

Ellison is scheduled to meet with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Karen Hughes, the undersecretary for public diplomacy.

A fierce critic of the war in Iraq, Ellison told the Associated Press that despite disagreement with the administration, he is glad to help polish America’s image in the world, as it is related to core values, such as tolerance, human rights and opportunity.

Related: From The Washington Note: Friendly Advice to AIPAC: Invite Rep. Keith Ellison to Annual AIPAC Policy Conference“