There is a obvious concern this week over the selection of the newest member of the board of directors for Burisma Holdings, Ukraine’s largest private gas producer: Vice President Joe Biden’s youngest son, Hunter Biden. Despite a strong resume, it seems rather coincidental that Ukraine is receiving aid from the United States and recently had a visit from Vice President Joe Biden only to decide that his youngest son was the very best person to sit on its board.
Hunter Biden will be in charge of the Burisma’s legal unit and will “provide support” among international organizations. The White House spokesman would only say that “Hunter Biden and other members of the family are obviously private citizens and where they work is not an endorsement by the president or vice president.”
Reporters were referred to Biden’s law firm Boies, Schiller & Flexner LLP, which declined to coment.
Alan Apter, the chairman of the company’s board of directors, said it views the selection as part of its effort to “introduc[e] best corporate practices, and we’re delighted that Mr. Biden is joining us to help us achieve these goals.” Those “best corporate practices” are hardly the best ethical practices if the company is hiring the children of high ranking officials to curry favor. This is particularly a concern in Ukraine which, as we discussed earlier, leads Europe as one of its most corrupt nations where the family members of powerful politicians are routinely showered with gifts and positions.
Like many spouses and children of our politicians, Hunter Biden made a fortune as a lobbyist in Washington. That common path for children continues to raise troubling questions of influence peddling and corruption for our leaders as discussed in this earlier column. The company recently added Devon Archer, a wealthy investor and Democratic campaign bundler. Archer previously declared how his business deals at Rosemont Seneca rely on a “relationship network creat[ing] opportunities for our portfolio companies which then compound to greater outcomes for all parties.” That “relationship network” is precisely what many have objected to in the hiring of family members tied to our leaders — allowing companies to give millions legally to families of Democratic and Republican leaders.
In addition to his position as counsel with the firm, Biden is a co-founder and a managing partner of investment advisory company Rosemont Seneca Partners and serves as director of the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition, a network of 400 businesses. He is also the chairman of the advisory board for the National Democratic Institute, a non-profit that works to support democratic institutions and elections around the world. Even with this experience, I am rather skeptical. First, his selection as counsel to Boies, Schiller, Flexner, LLP, seems designed to create a tie to his father and the Administration. He was was chief executive officer, and later chairman, of hedge fund PARADIGM Global Advisors – an association that he co-founded with convicted financier Allen Stanford. He was later appointed by Bill Clinton to serve in the United States Department of Commerce under Secretaries Norman Mineta and William M. Daley. He was then nominated by President George W. Bush to the board of directors of Amtrak. It is a resume that many would envy but also one that reflects the type of opportunities that are often afforded children of our ruling elite.
Of course, the selection of a Bush for such a position in the prior administration would have had Democrats and liberals in an uproar but they are again largely silent in the face of another deal benefitting one of our ruling elite. Obviously, Hunter Biden is an adult and does not need the approval of his father to accept a position, though his father has had an obvious impact on his past opportunities. It is simply worth noting that while we rightfully criticize the Chinese for the “Red Nobility,” we have a long list of children and spouses receiving millions in cushy deals and positions in this country. However, in the blue state/red state politics fosters by both parties, such issues are quickly brushed aside by those arguing again that the other side is worse or that such ethical questions are merely an effort to smear their side.
It’s true – Democrats and Republicans often want the same things; they just disagree on how to get there.
Thank you. People have strong feelings here, and these are sensitive subjects. I frequently fail–miserably, but I like to try to view other comments as seen from their point of view. Kind of like, “walk a mile in someone else’s shoes before you judge him.” I like to see the diversity of opinion, and it also kind of illustrates there are many paths to the same ends–even if we can’t see that initially. I think the article linked to shows there is common ground among Americans, even if it doesn’t seem to be remotely possible sometimes. And it being supported from pretty much polar opposites in Nader and Buchanan. They do respect each other’s opinion, even if they don’t agree most of the time.
Slohrss – we’re lucky that Professor Turley insists on civility rules – if a disagreement gets too personal, beyond bickering, someone intervenes and sends everyone to their corners.
It is nice to be able to hear about different sides. Politics can be polarizing, especially now.
And, Paul, it is good that you remind us not to rely on Wikipedia, because of its lack of review and vetted sources. I’d never use it in a paper but it is SO addicting when casually looking for information!
slohr29, Great comment and article.
Bob,
You sad it all.
Want an inside look at DC and raise your blood pressure at the same time?!
Read, “This Town” by Mark Leibovich
Deb – I am trying to keep my blood pressure down. 😎
I am frequently amazed by the bickering that goes on in this blog. I have to say though, it does feel more like “family dinner table” bickering (I guess which I was fortunate to be a part of growing up). People on this blog seem to have much more in common than they realize. Most of us identify the topic of this discussion as being an example of the worst of government. I like to check out a few sites, and where people are knowledgeable and earnest, I listen to them–I don’t agree all the time, but a listen with an open mind, whether it be left or right. Here is an interesting article from Pat Buchanan about a necessary left-right convergence–coming from an analysis from Ralph Nader (how about that for opposites???) that reminds me so much of what I see here:
http://buchanan.org/blog/left-right-convergence-6408
At my family dinner you were expected to take and defend your position, regardless of your age. Dinner conversation could become quite animated.
ha ha ha ha ha
http://www.wordhippo.com/what-is/the-meaning-of/german-word-schulte.html
pete – ha ha ha ha ha its meaning depends on the dictionary your use. The meaning I like is ‘to indoctrinate,” When I was growing up I never knew what my name meant, thanks to the Internet, I have be able to find out. 🙂
Paul, See, big chip on shoulder, serial name changer. Best to ignore angry people.
Paul, Deadwood is a pleasant town, good for 1 or 2 nights. The casinos are small, and no craps. Wild Bill and Calamity Jane are buried side by side. We were disappointed w/ Mt. Rushmore, kinda like, “Yeah, cool” then that’s it. Little Big Horn is worth seeing if you ever studied about the battle. Are you Harley guy going to Sturgis? That’s nearby.
Nick – wife has never been to the area so the trip is mostly for her. I have seen it all before. Was that the Custer Battle Field right after the big grass fire and you could finally see things again. Caused them to re-evaluate the whole battle. We are flying out of Rapid City, so that is too far to go.
Chuckle.
http://www.conservapedia.com/Liberal_media_bias
Crony capitalism is the cancer of our Republic.
What will contain the cancer with the growth of government?
Nick,
Unlike you I don’t get my references from television.
And unlike you I can link:
http://www.vocabulix.com/translation/german-english/schweigen.html
schweigen – clearly you cannot live up to your name.
OK Paul, if you liked Rome, I can say I agree with you at last.
Paul, If you ever watched the HBO series, Deadwood, there was a Chinese character, Wu. He spoke no English except for a few profanities. The main character in this superb series was named Al Swearingen. Wu called him “Schweigen.” Whenever someone like this guy comes @ you that means he’s not new, just a new moniker to harass.
Nick – planning on going to Deadwood this summer and hopefully will see them hang that coward Jack McCall. Watched the Deadwood series, sorry they stopped it. Rewatching Rome right now.
‘Liberal media just don’t publish some stories that hurt Democrats. ‘
Right. Nobody said a word about the ACA rollout.
Right. Nobody said a word about Obama and “if you want to keep your insurance..”
Right. Nobody said a word about the NSA.
Right. Nobody said a word about drones.
Right. Nobody said a word about killing Americans working with terrorists.
Right. Nobody said a word about Gitmo remaining open.
Right. Nobody said a word about lack of immigration reform.
Right. Nobody said a word about Benghazi.
And then you have those who refuse to link entirely… It is to laugh.
Paul,
“Annie – Elaine often goes deep deep into the woods.”
Then frequent another blog, Paul.
You act like a spoiled brat wanting just what you want on a silver platter. Your incessant whining about sources is ridiculous. Counter with your own, form a cohesive argument instead of one-liners.
schweigen – appreciate your advice, but since this is the first I have seen of you since I have been on here you won’t mind if I take it under advisement.
Paul after all the denigrating of Elaine’s and other liberals’s sources and opinions you don’t recognize that you may appear to look hypocritical, really? Wow.
Annie – Elaine’s sources deserved to be denigrated. She has generally gotten a better group of sources lately.