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| Home Front: Politix |
| With ambassador picks, Biden faces donor vs. diversity test |
| 2021-05-07 |
| [AP] President Joe Biden is facing a fresh challenge to his oft-repeated commitment to diversity in his administration: assembling a diplomatic corps that gives a nod to key political allies and donors while staying true to a campaign pledge to appoint ambassadors who look like America. More than three months into his administration, Biden has put forward just 11 ambassador nominations and has more than 80 such slots to fill around the globe. Administration officials this week signaled that Biden is ready to ramp up ambassador nominations as the president prepares for foreign travel and turns greater attention to global efforts to fight the coronavirus. Lobbying has intensified for more sought-after ambassadorial postings — including dozens of assignments that past presidents often dispensed as rewards to political allies and top donors. Those appointments often come with an expectation that the appointees can foot the bill for entertaining on behalf of the United States in pricey, high-profile capitals. But as he did with the assembling of his Cabinet and hiring top advisers, Biden is putting a premium on broadening representation in what historically has been one of the least diverse areas of government, White House officials say. "The president looks to ensuring that the people representing him — not just in the United States, but around the world — represent the diversity of the country," White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters this week. |
| Posted by:Besoeker |
| #3 It might appear AP assumes an 'honest' non-white person cannot be found. Isn't there some sort of name for such beliefs ? |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2021-05-07 08:38 |
| #2 Just spitballing here. Might be a good way to empty out our prisons. |
| Posted by: Cratch Glineper8075 2021-05-07 07:44 |
| #1 Diversity test? The gov't has been flooding the zone for decades. WTF, are we now suddenly running low on 'non-white' people? My television and 'Wheel of Fortune', they betray me. A crisis of their very own creation. AP continues to struggle with valid news reporting. |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2021-05-07 07:41 |