[JustTheNews] President Joe Biden on Monday named Democratic mega-donor Carrin F. Patman as his nominee for ambassador to Iceland, seemingly continuing the trend of putting forward inexperienced donors into diplomatic positions.
Brett Bruen, a former U.S. diplomat and White House Global Engagement Director under President Barack Obama, warned that Biden is appointing "amateur diplomats" for important roles after Democratic donor Jane Hartley was nominated to be U.S. ambassador to the United Kingdom.
| That’s a long-standing American tradition, much to the frustration of the permanent State Department staff, which would vastly prefer that their senior members got the job as a pre-retirement perk. Some of the donors and celebrities do grow into the role, like Shirley Temple Black, while others, like JFK’s dad, cause problems their entire tenure. |
Patman currently serves as chair of the Harris County, Texas, Metropolitan Transit Authority. She previously was a partner of the international law firm Bracewell LLP. The Houston Chronicle reports that she is the daughter and granddaughter of Democratic politicians.
She told the Chronicle that she has picked up "just a little" Icelandic language since Biden made his announcement.
"I do think being chair of Metro has prepared me for a diplomatic role," Patman joked to the outlet.
Data from the non-profit Open Secrets shows that Patman has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to Democratic political causes. |