Going Once, Going Twice
Ambassadorships to the highest bidder

Al Kamen in his WP column PLAYERS makes the following observation:

Roland E. Arnall really, really wants to be ambassador to the Netherlands. And the company he founded and chairs, Ameriquest Mortgage, is working hard to fork over $325 million to settle complaints by 33 states that the company engaged in very bad lending practices so that the Senate will let that happen.

If the move succeeds -- and it may not -- that would make the job easily the most expensive diplomatic posting ever.

Can't they find a single Republican without ethical challenges?