US Ambassador

[Phillip V]

Is it a great job? I have read several times of politicians leaving big jobs like state governorships, latest being Utah Gov. Huntsman, and running off to some other country as a new Ambassador. What are the incentives?

[Ed Anger]

Foreign tail.

[PDH]

Out of the country during bad political times...then they can swoop back in with their army and set things right.

[Darth Wagtaros]

It can be a nice sinecure when you are tired of the grind of elected office.  You don't necessarily need much in the way of education or diplomatic experience unless you are posted to an important country.  Decent pay and low expectations unless, again, you are posted somewhere that matters.

[Valmy]

It can be a nice sinecure when you are tired of the grind of elected office.  You don't necessarily need much in the way of education or diplomatic experience unless you are posted to an important country.  Decent pay and low expectations unless, again, you are posted somewhere that matters.

That is why that veteran German politician Klaus von Below-Saleski was so happy to be posted to Belgium in 1914.  Nothing important to Germany ever happens in Belgium, talk about a cushy job.

[Darth Wagtaros]

It can be a nice sinecure when you are tired of the grind of elected office.  You don't necessarily need much in the way of education or diplomatic experience unless you are posted to an important country.  Decent pay and low expectations unless, again, you are posted somewhere that matters.

That is why that veteran German politician Klaus von Below-Saleski was so happy to be posted to Belgium in 1914.  Nothing important to Germany ever happens in Belgium, talk about a cushy job.

He probably made a fortune off the loot he commanded his staff to gather during hte invasion.

[KRonn]

Out of the country during bad political times...then they can swoop back in with their army and set things right.

[PDH]

I used classical sources...

[Barrister]

Is it a great job? I have read several times of politicians leaving big jobs like state governorships, latest being Utah Gov. Huntsman, and running off to some other country as a new Ambassador. What are the incentives?

Depends on the country.  Some ambassadorships are quite important (and thus are typically given to career diplomats), while some are quite "cushy" and given as a golden parachute to a departing politician.

[Iormlund]

So it's sort of like becoming a Member of European Parliament here?

[DisturbedPervert]

Lots of opportunities to make potentially very profitable business connections.

[sbr]

Diplomatic Immunity. 

[Phillip V]

Do Ambassadors usually know the language of the country they are sent to?

[Barrister]

Do Ambassadors usually know the language of the country they are sent to?

Not usually I would think, but it is an important factor to consider.

[Zanza]

Do Ambassadors usually know the language of the country they are sent to?

The last US ambassador to Germany didn't speak a word of German.