NDT - Nuff Said!
(Neil deGrasse Tyson)

I agree with the caller who suggested the basketball star Grant Hill. Mr. Hill has been active in many civic services (including being a member of the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition); Mr. Hill earned the 2001 Richard and Helen DeVos Community Enrichment Award through his “positive attitude, strong work ethic, and moral code.”, and this year he won the Mannie Jackson Basketball Human Spirit Award. (more information available at the NBA website as well as the granthill website.

I second the nomination of Tom Waits.

so weird, as Sales was describing the character the next ambassador should possess I was privately thinking Louis C.K. and then @#$BAM!$& she mentioned someone had nominated him - that is crazy!

It's also a hit and miss nomination, b/c his material can be so blue (so much of life is). That stuff wouldn't fly too far in the spots America needs to be making "inroads."
But yeah - C.K. has my personal vote. Bring him on the show sometime.

Segment suggestion: I'd be interested in an historical review of US cultural/ goodwill ambassadors. To observe trends, etc.

Queen Latifah

Why just send people overseas? Why should the rest of the world be deprived of seeing some of our most significant historical landmarks, such as the Flatiron Building, the Statue of Liberty, and the Chrysler Building?

Also love the Stevie Wonder idea!

(& I am surprised that the worldly and foreign-born listeners of this show are under the impression that the US -- including its celebrities -- do not carry weight around the world in a positive way.

For reasons real and imagined, the US remains a unique and wonderful idea in billions of lovely minds everywhere. Many of them spend time in the US or become American and often their presence is what helps keep America great, and reminds natives what we love about the country too. It is right to often dwell on the flaws of America, and lord knows there are plenty -- but we must celebrate the positives as well. Lest we become cranky! ;-)

Ron Howard

I am really enjoying Amanda Dobbins as guest host so I will nominate her!

Herbie Hancock represents the cultural and social changes in this country, and has somehow managed to stay relevant through those changes.

Stevie Wonder - no question!

Dolly Parton by far superior to all these suggestions. No baloney Dolly. Sincere and All American Gal.

No musicians or actors or politicians. I think a relatively young, accomplished writer would be best. Michael Chabon or someone like that. Or even a comedian.

They do pay attention to our celebrities as she said and they laugh at us most of the time because of them.

''Lindsey McLuhan'', but I'm joking. Tom Hanks has my vote.

Louis C.K. immediately comes to mind. He articulates a broad and unflinchingly honest perspective about America and Americans, and he sometimes sneaks a joke in there.

Anybody from the Walton family - a perfect representative for Walmart nation.

The Roots -- hip hop is huge around the world AND they're an amazing live band.

Also Louis CK and Chris Rock duo.

Mz Robbins and New York Magazine are trying way too hard to be droll and hipster these days. Operative word- trying.

Meryl Streep!

Brian Lehrer. Just kidding.

Interesting that your discussions on this are at such a lower level of what one would call "culture"! Where are the non-entertainment artists and writers and thinkers?

What is a cultural ambassador? What do they do? What are they supposed to represent? Most of these answers are pretty thoughtless.

amy sedaris.

Oh lord: I knew someone would say taylor swift.

Robert and StevieRay: sorry you have such a low opinion of the US. Maybe you should get out and see a few things, get your nose out of the tv set.

Big Bird! Everyone loves Big Bird.

Regina Spektor... all-American? She was born in Russia and came here when she was ten.

David Hasselhoff. He's the Hoff!! The whole world loves him!

Just a thought, but most of those artists who are being suggested by the callers already tour extensively around the world.

Send a working class dad who supports his family and loves his life due to the opportunity and freedom in USA.

Why not the Boss himself? Bruce Springstein got to introduce the President at campaign rallies, and represents in his music the heart of America.

No Joke: Britney Spears. She's has that "all American" look and people love her music. She is mass-appealing and pretty attractive. She and Beyonce are good pics!

KENNY G?!?! That caller MUST be joking.

Joanna Newsom would be a wonderful cultural embassador... Don't you think?!

I would pick Andrew WK over almost anyone!
Beyonce?! More like cultural embarrasser.

Take your pick: Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Nikki Minaj, any Kardashian - all interchangeable media whores who totally represent what the US really is.

Warren Buffett and Bill Gates.
because of their business and philanthropic accomplishments.

and Quest Love

I nominate Lindsey Lohan to be cultural ambassador for the United States. I think she fully represents the current culture of the US today. We've degenerated to such a low level and you want one who represents the culture, Linsey covers it.

The most talented:
Prince

The most deep-dish American and best speaker, culturally:
John Waters

The choice is clear: either Stephen Colbert or Howard Stern.