Within the first five minutes of the fifth Democratic primary debate on Wednesday night, impeachment became a central topic — and it’s no wonder, given this week’s impeachment hearings on Tuesday, Wednesday, and coming up on Thursday. But only one candidate seemed prepared.
Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren immediately used the subject of impeachment to her advantage, redirecting attention to the long-standing corporate establishment corruption that has plagued the Beltway — of which she’s long been a member. Her main criticism was aimed at Gordon Sondland, the U.S. ambassador to the European Union, who earned his diplomatic role, in part, because he wrote a hefty check to President Trump’s 2016 campaign.
This transaction is innately corrupt, Warren claimed, and perhaps she’s right. But Trump isn’t the only one to reward high-paying donors with diplomatic roles. In fact, former President Barack Obama appointed 31 campaign “bundlers” — or supporters who raised $50,000 or more for his presidential campaign — to ambassadorships.
This isn’t an unusual practice. If anything, it’s standard. Most diplomats work their way up through the foreign service, but presidential appointees rarely have foreign experience, according to the American Foreign Service Association.
It might not be right, but this is a political norm — one Warren would likely adhere to if elected president. Her Democratic predecessors certainly have.
