The Nation: Payola on Embassy Row

AMBASSADOR, n. A political partisan whose campaign contributions are large enough to offset any disadvantage of training, language or ability in consideration for a top diplomatic post.

That definition might well be considered for the next edition of Webster's. The New York Times last week published a list of ambassadors appointed by President Nixon, along with the amounts that they contributed to his last two elections. The price for even the least prestigious post seems to run to five figures. Thus, in ascending order, V. John Krehbiel, Ambassador to Finland, paid out $19,000 to...