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Ambassadors: Rich People in Useless Jobs

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

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted May 29, 2009 2:11 PM CDT

(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. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, FILE)

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. (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? (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 3 comments

kokuaguy

May 29, 2009 8:03 AM 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.

Derni

May 29, 2009 8:00 AM 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 $$$

myvoice

May 29, 2009 7:34 AM 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?!

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Ambassadors: Rich People in Useless Jobs

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

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Barack Obama • diplomacy • Japan • France • State Department • ambassador • political appointee • President Obama

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Ambassadors: Rich People in Useless Jobs

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

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Barack Obama • diplomacy • Japan • France • State Department • ambassador • political appointee • President Obama

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More Newser Stories

Detroit Bust Would've Been Better Than Bailout

Ex-Prez Bush says bailout his idea, and a good one

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'Accommodation' for religious employers will likely be announced today

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That's more than double the proportion from 2007: analysis

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At least 28 more plan to seek one

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