Another broken promise from Obama. From the WSJ:
“We’re not only insulting nations [that] we’re appointing these bundlers to, we’re risking U.S. diplomatic efforts in these key countries,” said Craig Holman, a government-affairs lobbyist at watchdog group Public Citizen. This tension can be traced back to Mr. Obama’s claim during last year’s campaign that President George W. Bush engaged in an “extraordinary politicization of foreign policy.” Mr. Obama said he instead would ensure that hires are based on merit, rather than party or ideology. The American Academy of Diplomacy, an association of former diplomats, seized on the comments in lobbying him to lower the portion of ambassadors drawn from outside the foreign-service establishment to as little as 10% from the 30% average since President John F. Kennedy’s tenure. (Mr. Bush’s score was 33%.) Of the Obama administration’s 55 ambassadorial nominees so far, 33 — or 60% — have gone to people outside the foreign-service ranks, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. That ratio is almost certain to tilt back toward career diplomats as dozens of the remaining posts are filled… . .
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