Obama's Inept Ambassadors.

• Author: Brown Schoonover, Brenda

OBAMA'S INEPT AMBASSADORS

By Jacob Heilbrunn, Editor, National Interest

http://nationalinterest.org/blog/the-presidency/obamas-peculiar-ambassadors-9884

Every once in a while the spotlight focuses on the United States' spoils system, that is, granting political appointments as a means of rewarding high-roller contributors to the political administration in power. In January and February 2014 a few of President Barack Obama's recent ambassadorial appointees made poor showings at their confirmation hearings before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. The candidates' lack of preparation and knowledge of the countries in question ignited vigorous debate with regard to the century-old spoils practice historically exercised by both Democratic and Republican administrations.

For years the ratio of political nominations for ambassadorial posts has traditionally been about 30 percent political appointees with the remaining 70 percent of chief of mission positions going to career Foreign Service officers. More often than not, generous political donors are assigned to what are considered "cushy" posts or high profile missions, usually in Europe as opposed to the trenches in less desirable hardship posts that tend to be reserved for the career diplomats.

Jacob Heilbrunn, Editor of National Interest praises Washington Post's Juliet Eilperin for her well researched article, "Obama's Ambassador Nominees Prompt an Uproar with Bungled Answers, Lack of Ties." (2/14/14) Eilperin highlights the president's recent candidates who blundered through their hearings--all generous donors to the Democratic Party and to the president's 2012 re-election:

Colleen Bradley Bell, the nominee for Hungary, is the producer of the TV soap opera, "The Bold and the Beautiful." According to retired Foreign Service Officer, Jim Bruno of Politico, Ms Bell has raised $2,101,635. During her January 16, 2014 hearing, Bell struggled with her responses, most notably specific questions regarding U.S. strategic interests in Hungary.

George Tsunis, candidate for Norway and founder and CEO of Chartwell Hotels, is said to have bundled $1.3 million for 2012. (A party switcher, he gave $50,000 to McCain in 2008.) Tsunis' January 16 testimony, described as faltering and incoherent, revealed his lack of knowledge of Norway. His mischaracter-ization of one of the ruling coalition political parties caused quite a stir in the Norwegian press. Tsunis further flubbed it by referring to Norway's...