No Change: Obama Ambassadorships Still Go To Fundraisers, Friends.
No change: Obama ambassadorships still go to fundraisers, friends
By Rob Hotakainen
Gibbs said the administration's ambassadorial appointments include "a group of committed individuals and proven professionals that are eager to serve their country."
"Some of those individuals were fundraisers; some of those were career ambassadors," Gibbs said at a news briefing in late May. He joked that the U.K. ambassador was qualified because "he speaks English."
Obama surprised some last month when he appointed Utah Republican Gov. Jon Huntsman — far from a Democratic crony — as ambassador to China. Huntsman is a former ambassador to Singapore, speaks Mandarin, worked as deputy trade representative in Asia and was a Mormon missionary in Taiwan.
Since the early 1960s, roughly a third of all ambassadors have been non-professionals, according to the American Academy of Diplomacy. In a letter to Obama, the group asked that the number be reduced to 10 percent.
Neumann said it's disappointing but not surprising that Obama is seeking to reward heavy-hitting fundraisers early in his administration.
"It's a little early to say whether the administration will or won't be different from others in its overall appointments and totals, but certainly it's not change yet," he said.
The job of an ambassador is becoming more complicated and requires experience, Neumann said. He also said it's an insult to the host country when an ambassador lacks knowledge of the country's history, language and culture.
"Why do you think that diplomacy is so much simpler than, say, being a journalist?" he asked. "Why do you assume it takes no knowledge of the profession in order to handle your foreign relations at a time when you're dealing with crises, terrorism, epidemics and a generally difficult world?"
Obama's appointments have raised eyebrows around the globe.
"No 'change you can believe in' for Obama," blared a French headline on a story about the president's ambassadorial appointees.
A story in the Japan Times lamented the appointment of "a virtually unknown lawyer" as the ambassador to Japan.
The newspaper called it "ronkokosho," a reward given for support in a presidential campaign.
By Rob Hotakainen
Gibbs said the administration's ambassadorial appointments include "a group of committed individuals and proven professionals that are eager to serve their country."
"Some of those individuals were fundraisers; some of those were career ambassadors," Gibbs said at a news briefing in late May. He joked that the U.K. ambassador was qualified because "he speaks English."
Obama surprised some last month when he appointed Utah Republican Gov. Jon Huntsman — far from a Democratic crony — as ambassador to China. Huntsman is a former ambassador to Singapore, speaks Mandarin, worked as deputy trade representative in Asia and was a Mormon missionary in Taiwan.
Since the early 1960s, roughly a third of all ambassadors have been non-professionals, according to the American Academy of Diplomacy. In a letter to Obama, the group asked that the number be reduced to 10 percent.
Neumann said it's disappointing but not surprising that Obama is seeking to reward heavy-hitting fundraisers early in his administration.
"It's a little early to say whether the administration will or won't be different from others in its overall appointments and totals, but certainly it's not change yet," he said.
The job of an ambassador is becoming more complicated and requires experience, Neumann said. He also said it's an insult to the host country when an ambassador lacks knowledge of the country's history, language and culture.
"Why do you think that diplomacy is so much simpler than, say, being a journalist?" he asked. "Why do you assume it takes no knowledge of the profession in order to handle your foreign relations at a time when you're dealing with crises, terrorism, epidemics and a generally difficult world?"
Obama's appointments have raised eyebrows around the globe.
"No 'change you can believe in' for Obama," blared a French headline on a story about the president's ambassadorial appointees.
A story in the Japan Times lamented the appointment of "a virtually unknown lawyer" as the ambassador to Japan.
The newspaper called it "ronkokosho," a reward given for support in a presidential campaign.
Labels: POTUS Barack Obama
posted by KYJurisDoctor at 11:38 AM
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