Sembler to be fired? What do you think?

[wesfager]

Washington gossip has it that Bush will soon fire Ambassador Melvin Sembler even though Sembler reputedly says he wants another two years. Here's what was stated in the World Peace Hearld:  

"Sources in Washington tell United Press International that so far, the few who have asked have been turned down. Among these, reportedly, is Mel Sembler, the U.S. ambassador to Rome, who has made it plain he would like not to be recalled for at least another two years. But the sources understand the shopping mall developer and Bush supporter has been told a partial extension is not in the cards."

Here's the link:

http://www.wpherald.com/North_America/s ... 0311-4177r

What do you make of this?[ This Message was edited by: wesfager on 2004-12-15 12:09 ]

[Anonymous]

What is it with big developers that makes them qualified to be an ambassador???

The U.S. practice (much resented by career diplomats) of appointing big campaign donors or their wives to plum ambassadorial posts is not likely to recede in the second Bush administration, though the overall performance of "political" ambassadors in an increasingly complex world remains extremely patchy.
     
    Another U.S. embassy waiting for a new tenant is Madrid. But no successor has been mentioned for the California property developer George Argyros.

[Anonymous]

It isn't "developers" that qualify as ambassadors, it is their political conections.  Sembler was the former finance chair for the nationonal republican party and he gets millions of $  donated to the party...that's what makes him "qualified".  Connections/money = ambassadorship.

Personnaly, I'd like him to stay on for another 4 years.   That way we can still connect him to he repub party and W.

[Anonymous]

On 2004-12-15 09:28:00, Anonymous wrote:

"It isn't "developers" that qualify as ambassadors, it is their political conections.  

I know, I know...it was rhetorical.  :smile: