Lessons for 2012 from 1992

John Huntsman’s decision to accept Obama’s invitation to serve as the US Ambassador to Beijing is, as James suggested, interesting given the recent rise in Huntsman stock.

The advantages for Obama are several: firstly, and most obviously (if also most grubbily) he removes a potential 2012 opponent from the fray. Secondly, picking someone like Huntsman who not only has diplomatic experience (as ambassador to Singapore and, more importantly, as Deputy US Trade Representative) but also speaks Mandarin tells the Chinese that Obama appreciates their importance and is determined to take their relationship seriously. How could he not, you might ask, and there’d be something in that. But consider that such baubles are generally handed out as rewards to used-car salesmen and real estate agents who’ve raised millions for the winning presidential candidate. Even if most ambassadorial posts are not what they once were, this remains a grubby habit even if custom decrees it’s just the usual way of doing business.