July 24, 2013

Obama Campaign Rhetoric vs. Governing Reality

During the 2008 presidential campaign, then-Senator Obama decried the practice of rewarding political favorites with Administration jobs, stating, “When it comes to hiring people in my administration, the litmus test we’ll apply will not be based on party or ideology, but qualification and experience ... The days of using the White House as another arm of the Republican National Committee are over.” He added, “this is the kind of politics that will end when I am President.”

Here is a selection of ambassadorial nominations made in the last month, some of whom have their nomination hearing tomorrow, along with excerpts from their biographies:


Patrick Gaspard, nominee for Ambassador to South Africa: “Executive Director of the Democratic National Committee.”


Kirk Wagar, nominee for Ambassador to Singapore: “Florida Finance Chair for Obama for America in 2008 and 2012.”


Alexa Wesner, nominee for Ambassador to Austria: “She raised $500,000 for Obama’s reelection campaign.”


Matt Barzun, nominee for Ambassador to the United Kingdom: “served as National Finance Chair of Obama for America from 2011 to 2012 ... From 2007 to 2008, he served as a member of the National Finance Committee for Obama for America.”


John Phillips, nominee for Ambassador to Italy: “raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the president’s reelection.”


Rufus Gifford, nominee for Ambassador to Denmark: “raised more than $700 million as Obama’s campaign finance chairman.”


Denise Bauer, nominee for Ambassador to Belgium: raised “$2.36 million [as] Women for Obama Finance Chairwoman” and “served on the Obama for America National Finance Committee from 2011 to 2012 and from 2007 to 2008.”


As President Obama said: “I know that in every campaign, politicians make promises about cleaning up Washington. And most times, you end up disappointed when it doesn’t happen.”

Issue Tag: National Security