How to Buy Off U.S. Senators in Your Quest to Purchase an American Ambassadorship
A cozy relationship cemented by moolah
In my Feb. 7, 2014 article in POLITICO Magazine, Why Does America Send So Many Stupid, Unqualified Hacks Overseas?, I stated, "In the last two Congresses, for example, George Tsunis (ambassadorial nominee for Norway) contributed to the campaigns of five senators, including Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, former Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry and current Chairman Robert Menendez, as well as to the Senate Majority PAC. Before Tsunis paraded his ignorance before the Foreign Relations Committee, New York Senator Charles Schumer gave a gushing introduction. Tsunis had donated $4,600 to Schumer’s campaign fund in 2009."
A colleague did some further digging, and came up with the following additional details drawn from the Center for Responsive Politics:
"Further analysis indicates that in the 2012 election cycle, George Tsunis and his immediate family contributed $79,000 to 10 senators. All but one of the contributions ($1,500 for Sen. Corker) were for $2,500, the individual maximum contribution per candidate per election. Same limit applied to immediate relatives of the contributor.
Cardin (D-MD) $7,500, SFRC member,
Menendez (D-NJ) $15,000, SFRC member, now Chairman
Nelson (D-FL) $2,500
Reid (D-NV) $2,500 Majority Leader
Gillibrand (D-NY) $10,000
Tester (D-MT) $2,500
Warner (D-VA) $10,000
Lugar (R-IN) $2,500 was a member of the SFRC, but lost election in 2012
Snowe (R-ME) $22,500, retired in 2012.
Corker (R-TN) $5,000, SFRC member, now ranking Republican
Seven Democrats -- Cardin, Menendez, Nelson, Reid, Gillibrand. Tester, Warner -- received contributions. The two on the SFRC, Menendez and Cardin, have already helped him through the SFRC. Majority Leader Reid stands ready to help on the Senate floor. Corker is the only remaining Republican recipient. Tsunis won 12-6 in committee."
DIPLO DENIZEN note: Pay very close attention all you plutoctats/wannabe ambassadors: spread your bets and pay generously. Every politician's vote can be yours for the right price, almost irrespective of party affiliation. Isn't America a great country? Anybody can become a U.S. ambassador -- for the right price!
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