US ambassador has high-flying Pie on his mind

After a 2½-year hiatus, not to mention some pursed lips at the tardiness, the US’s new Aussie ambassador has arrived. And he has just one thing on his mind when he comes to Melbourne: Meeting Collingwood star Mason Cox.

Newly appointed US Ambassador to Australia Arthur Culvahouse. Picture: Allison Shelley

“He’s a friend of the President,” retorted a US Consulate staffer when asked about new ambassador Arthur Culvahouse.

Turns out he has a bit more cred than just decoding Donald Trump’s late-night twitter rants.

After a 2½-year hiatus, not to mention some pursed lips at the tardiness, the “President’s pick” arrived in Canberra this week, charged with beefing up bilateral relations.

Culvahouse, 70, or “AB” as he is known, has been around the block, perhaps best known for vetting the Grand Old Party’s vice presidential candidates.

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Mason Cox takes a speccy during last year’s Preliminary Final against Richmond. Picture: Michael Dodge/AFL Media

Macca’s view.

Remember Sarah Palin? Barack Obama commented: “You can put lipstick on a pig, but it’s still a pig.”

Palin turned out to be a pit bull.

Culvahouse — a former Ronald Reagan administration official, Senate Watergate committee aid and self-described “farm boy from Tennessee” — has just one thing on his mind when he comes to Melbourne later this month.

He wants to meet Collingwood star, Texan Mason Cox.

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