https://www.politico.com/news/2020/08/11/biden-donors-envoys-393594Joe Biden has promised to put “U.S. diplomacy back in the hands of genuine professionals.”
But as the former vice president hauls in piles of campaign cash, bringing him close to parity for the first time with President Donald Trump, some Democrats and veteran diplomats are asking whether Biden really means it.
The presumptive Democratic nominee has refused to rule out giving ambassadorships to big-time campaign donors and fundraisers. Instead, he’s indicated that, if he wins the presidency, he’ll continue the longstanding, bipartisan practice, which critics for decades have said smacks of corruption and damages America’s international standing.
“As a principle, I strongly disagree with the idea that, if you give money during the campaign, you’ll be rewarded with a job later,” said Michael McFaul, who served as U.S. ambassador to Russia during the Obama administration. “Most certainly at this moment in time, when morale has been incredibly eroded in the foreign service, it doesn’t send the right signal.”
Could this hurt Biden among progressives?
