Obama politics

[RetiredGySgt]

U.S. diplomats to Obama: Ambassador nominees should really know something about their destination

Some real stellar choices there.

 

[theDoctorisIn]

A percentage of Ambassador positions have always been political appointees, and the professional career foreign service guys have always disliked that fact.

 

[RetiredGySgt]

A percentage of Ambassador positions have always been political appointees, and the professional career foreign service guys have always disliked that fact.

The article states 70/30 for career to political is the accepted number. Obama has not come close to that his current rate is almost 50 50.

Read the article, some of his choices are IDIOTS.

 

[Peterf]

U.S. diplomats to Obama: Ambassador nominees should really know something about their destination

Some real stellar choices there.

The US has long been the only serious country where ambassadors are chosen on the basis of cronyism and donations. All presidents have continued this absurd - and insulting - practice so there is nothing new here.

In the UK, for example, 99% of ambassadors are chosen from among Diplomatic Service professionals.

The worst example of the American system that I can think of was the appointment of FDR's pro-Nazi friend Joseph Kennedy (JFK's father) to London in the late 1930s.

 

[theDoctorisIn]

A percentage of Ambassador positions have always been political appointees, and the professional career foreign service guys have always disliked that fact.

The article states 70/30 for career to political is the accepted number. Obama has not come close to that his current rate is almost 50 50.

Read the article, some of his choices are IDIOTS.

The rate for his first term was 37-63, and by the end of his second term, the second term rate will likely be the same.

(Early appointments are generally political, later appointments are generally career).