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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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 OPINION 
3

Ambassadors: Rich People in Useless Jobs

If posts are just plums for political donors, why have them?

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(Newser) – Barack Obama opted for politics as usual in his ambassador appointments yesterday, writes David Rothkopf for ForeignPolicy. Like recent predecessors, Obama turned to deep-pocketed campaign donors; hence Japan, the world’s second-largest economy, will deal with a tech lawyer whose sole qualification seems to have been his ability to raise $500,000, while France gets a guy who used to run the Muppets. Which raises the question: Do we even need ambassadors?

“If a job is meaningless enough to be entrusted to someone who is unqualified to do it, do we really need to fill that post?” asks Rothkopf. Once upon a time, we needed ambassadors to carry vital messages, but technology’s progressed a wee bit. Other countries hate dealing with ambassadors—they’d rather call someone consequential at the State Department. Let's put highly skilled professionals in the important posts, and forget the rest.

Then-Utah Governor Jon Huntsman gives his acceptance remarks after his nomination by President Barack Obama as ambassador to China, May 16, 2009.
Then-Utah Governor Jon Huntsman gives his acceptance remarks after his nomination by President Barack Obama as ambassador to China, May 16, 2009.   (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, FILE)
Obama actually named a guy who used to run the Muppets as ambassador to France.
Obama actually named a guy who used to run the Muppets as ambassador to France.   (AP Photo/Danny Johnston)
President Barack Obama, right, talks through a translator, center, as he meets with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Monday, March 23, 2009.
President Barack Obama, right, talks through a translator, center, as he meets with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Monday, March 23, 2009.   (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
When it's so easy for the president and high-ranking surrogates, to talk to foreign leaders like Mahmoud Abbas, what's the point of ambassadors?
When it's so easy for the president and high-ranking surrogates, to talk to foreign leaders like Mahmoud Abbas, what's the point of ambassadors?   (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
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3 comments
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myvoice
May 29, 09 2:34 PM CDT
David Rothkopf under your philosophy... what are you needed for? Apparently “If a job is meaningless enough to be entrusted to someone who is unqualified to do it" does not refer to you and your field?! Reply
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Derni
May 29, 09 3:00 PM CDT
What do they do? What is their job discription? Are the reqquired to manitian communication with a country? I would say thgat in this age of technology we don't need as many ambassadors as w ehave-we could save some $$$ Reply
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kokuaguy
May 29, 09 3:03 PM CDT
A petty insult and erroneous comparison, yourvoice. But if you disagree with Rothkopf's point I'm on your side. The appointment of an ambassador is a highly symbolic and historic act. I was hoping to see Carolyn Kennedy take her grandfather's place as ambassador to England. Reply
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