Diplomat or big-money pal? Ambassadors of both types may have a place

Published: 2005-09-09

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- If businessman and political fundraiser L. Francis Rooney III is confirmed by the Senate as ambassador to the Vatican, he'll be among several dozen major Republican fundraisers who have been named to head embassies despite having no diplomatic expertise. Whether the lack of specific experience tends to make someone more or less suited to represent the United States internationally is a question that predictably gets different answers from career foreign service employees and previous political appointees to diplomatic posts. Rooney, 51, is chief executive officer of Rooney Holdings, a company based in Tulsa, Okla., and Tampa, Fla., with construction, insurance and electronics businesses. He is a Catholic graduate of Georgetown University and its law school, with longstanding ties to President George W. Bush. As has been a U.S. tradition in both Democratic and Republican administrations, Rooney's nomination as ambassador rewards his financial support. He contributed several hundred thousand dollars to Bush and other Republican candidates in the last election, helped raise hundreds of thousands more, and his company kicked in $250,000 to help pay for 2005 inauguration festivities.

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