Jon Stewart and The Daily Show poked fun at President Barack Obama and the Democratic Party for picking potential ambassadors that had never been to the country they want to serve.
This happens under Republican watches, too, but Obama did vow to "have civil servants, wherever possible, serve in these posts."
Bruce Heyman is not a civil servant. Neither was David Jacobson. The former is the nominee to be U.S. Ambassador to Canada; the latter served in the role until July 15, 2013.
Unlike the nominees mocked on the Daily Show, Heyman has done business in Canada. We would love to judge Heyman on his knowledge/lack of knowledge, but we're still waiting for him to be the ambassador to Canada.
Heyman was nominated in April; had his confirmation hearings in December. And we still don't have an ambassador.
By contrast, Jacobson's confirmation hearings started in August 5, 2009, final confirmation was September 23, and he started on October 2.
Previous coverage:
New U.S. ambassador to Canada should know Canada before taking job
Richard M. Sanders is currently the interim representative. We're pretty sure he's a civil servant. And there was a interim representative from January 20, 2009 until October 2.
Even if they don't know much about a country before starting as an ambassador, the person get an opportunity to show their interest once in the position. Jacobson proved his value quite well in his time. (Full disclosure: I met Jacobson after his stint.)
If I were before the Senate in a confirmation hearing, the PRO-cess might go something like this:
Senator: So have you ever been to Canada?
Me: Well, I traveled there as a child, mostly to Southern Ontario. There were a few Windsor Ballet trips from the age of 19 for a few years. Oh, and I went to Toronto for Spring Break my junior year in university.
I've been to 7 Canadian provinces, and have toured those 7 legislative assemblies and the federal Parliament building. I've been to 7 CFL stadiums. I can recite every Canadian prime minister back to Diefenbaker. I've driven in 3 provinces. And I've eaten poutine in several provinces, but can't remember how many.
I know Canadian English and some French, Canadian or otherwise. I know the names of virtually all the Canadian hockey TV announcers.
Don't let my limited exposure to Canada fool you; I just haven't had the opportunity to reach all 10 provinces. I want to be on the half hour in Newfoundland, find myself at Portage and Main in Winnipeg, and wear a watermelon on my head at Taylor Field. And 0 territories so far, but I want to spend time in all the territories there, too. And …
Senator: Thank you. That is plenty. I'm exhausted just listening to your testimony. We believe that you've been to Canada, and then some.
Canada, as the U.S.' largest trading partner, deserves a permanent ambassador in the chair. Ideally, that person should have an interest in Canada, but an ambassador needs to be in that role for the countries to work well together.
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