This is clearly political payback by the Massachusetts Senator, not a principled stand.

Former Wisconsin congressman Mark Green's nomination to become the ambassador of Tanzania hit a snag today because of Democratic opposition.

Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts placed a hold on the nomination.

A Kerry aide says the reason is Green is a political appointee and not a career foreign service officer.

Green -- a Green Bay Republican -- was nominated for the post in Africa last month by President Bush.

Excuse me, but that really is not a legitimate basis for opposing the nomination of an ambassador. Political supporters, including many with no diplomatic experience, have often been appointed as ambassador -- indeed, the percentage of such political appointees has generally hovered around 35%. And I don't recall any John Kerry objections to such practices in the past,m such as the appointment of former Vice President Walter Mondale as Ambassador to Japan, or the appointment of gay rights activist James C. Hormel as Ambassador to Belgium. neither of those individuals was a career foreign service officer -- and both were clearly political appointees.

I think that perhaps Kerry is simply seeking revenge for Green's efforts against Kerry during the 2004 presidential campaign.

Posted by: Greg at 01:14 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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