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Obama's Ambassador to Norway Fumbles Basic Questions About Norway

Obama bundler raised $500,000 for the 2012 cycle.

The next US ambassador to Norway, George Tsunis bundled $500,000 for President Obama in 2012, apparently knows nothing about Norway. Questioned by Senator John McCain about the anti-immigration Progress Party, which has now joined the ruling coalition, Tsunis had no idea what McCain was talking about. McCain asked for his thoughts; Tsunis replied, “You get some fringe elements that have a a microphone and spew their hatred. And I will tell you Norway has been very quick to denounce them.”

That is untrue. They are part of the ruling coalition, as McCain quickly pointed out.

Tsunis then replied, “I stand corrected. I would like to leave my answer at…it’s a very, very open society and the overwhelming amount of Norwegians and the overwhelming amount of people in parliament don’t feel the same way.”

Tsunis also referred to Norway’s “president,” although the country has no president, since it is a constitutional monarchy.

The Norwegian newspaper The Local commented, “Future US envoy displays total ignorance of Norway.”