President Bush has nominated Sam Fox, a major right-wing donor who gave $50,000 to the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, to be ambassador to Belgium. Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) “grilled” Fox today during his confirmation hearing:
“Might I ask you what your opinion is with respect to the state of American politics as regards the politics of personal destruction?” Kerry asked near the end of Fox’s hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Fox, one of the nation’s most generous contributors to Republican candidates and causes, said he is concerned that politics “has become mean and destructive.”
Fox said he didn’t recall who asked him to give to Swift Boat Veterans and said both sides of the political debate contribute to groups known as 527s.
But Kerry said the incident raised questions about Fox’s fitness to serve as an ambassador. …
It is not clear whether Kerry’s concerns will pose an obstacle to Fox’s nomination.