What It Takes To Be Ambassador
The ambassador to France, Craig Roberts Stapleton, has given $116,000 to the Republican Party. Earle I. Mack, our number one guy in Finland, has given $566,340 to the GOP. The most desirable position of all, the ambassadorship in the Bahamas, apparently costs a shade under $180,000.
Of Bush's ambassadors, 40 have raised large sums for the president or the Republican Party. What's heartening is that the ambassadorship to China, possibly one of the most important positions in the State Department, was not subject to a bidding war. Clark Randt Jr., the current ambassador to China, only gave $29,200 to the GOP. I'm guessing that the Vatican was a lesser priority, as the guy for the job gave a whopping $245,626 to the party. This is a Protestant administration after all.
posted by Jack @ 8:35 PM
5 comments
5 Comments:
Somewhat deceptive to put it the way you have, Jack. At least the linked article makes the point clearly:
"The practice has decades of precedent -- from Franklin Roosevelt's appointment of Joseph Kennedy as ambassador to Great Britain to Bill Clinton's selection of Larry Lawrence as the U.S. envoy to Switzerland. In both cases, the nominees were wealthy businessmen who contributed big bucks to the president's campaign. In return for their financial support, these donors enjoyed the cachet that comes with being an ambassador."
I didn't realize I was obligated to mitigate every error of the Bush administration with a similar Democratic one.
- Jersey Perspective
Jeez, I said 'somewhat.' Do you want to have discussions or just post your own opinions so that other liberals can agree with you?
Look, all I'm saying is I don't understand what's deceptive. Of course every administration dolls out patronage. I'm just talking about the current administration.
- Jersey Perspective
I understand that, Jack, but your tone suggested it was only this administration doing so.
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