The nomination of ambassadors based on campaign contributions is a shameful practice that degrades the integrity of the office. While judges and cabinet members usually are chosen from pools of well-qualified nominees, the prerequisites to be an ambassador, regardless of which administration is in office, are frequently nothing more than having contributed to the election of the President. This is not a new practice, but it is time for this practice to come to an end. By withdrawing his nomination of Caroline Kennedy, the President can send a clear message to the future that the time has come for us to base political appointments on the genuine merits of the appointees instead of favors and cronyism.
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