WASHINGTON - The U.S. Senate on Friday confirmed Karen Hughes, President George W. Bush's longtime adviser, to head the State Department's efforts to improve the United States' image abroad.
On a voice vote, the Senate unanimously approved Hughes, 48, as undersecretary of state for public diplomacy and public affairs.
The former White House counselor who has worked for Bush since he served as Texas governor, would come to the State Department job at a time when the United States is viewed negatively in much of the world, especially among Muslims, and many Americans accuse Bush of a go-it-alone approach to world affairs.
At her confirmation hearing last week, Hughes told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee she would enlist more help from American entertainers and personalities to try to promote a more appealing view of the country.
She said the United States must "improve our rapid response" to "confront hateful propaganda, dispel dangerous myths and get out the truth" about U.S. efforts to improve conditions abroad.
Senators noted she was taking a post that had seen rapid turnover during the Bush administration and so far delivered few positive results.
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