WH signaling Adm. Harris nomination

The Trump Administration is carrying out consultations in the U.S. Capitol to test reactions to the appointment of Adm. Harry Harris Jr. as ambassador to Australia signaling the likelihood of the four-star U.S. Pacific commander will be nominated for the post. "The last American four-star to take up residence in Australia was Douglas MacArthur," the general who waged the WWII Pacific war against Japan from his HQ in Brisbane, according to an unnamed Washington observer. The U.S. and Australia are to celebrate 100 years of cooperation this year. Eight former American ambassadors to Australia have had military experience, but none have approached Harris' level of seniority. Harris and his wife, Bruni Bradley, are known to want the job. The admiral is a China hawk and one of Beijing's least favorite Americans. The Chinese do not want Harris to hold any official U.S. post. The consultations last week show that the administration is moving ahead with the process; but there is a timing issue: The post has been vacant nine months of Trump's term, yet Harris’ assignment to the Pacific command in Hawaii runs until May 2018. Several Washington insiders suggest that early next year is likely the earliest possibility. (Source: Sydney Morning Herald 10/10/17) Gulf Coast Note: Adm. Harris is a Pensacola, Fla.-based Washington High School graduate. He graduated while his father was on assignment at Naval Air Station Pensacola.