From the Editor

Rich Lowry in this issue cites a Commerce Department memo that suggests attacks on the fund-raising scandal be characterized as racist and anti-Asian. This threat seems unlikely to work—neither Mr. Lowry’s story nor our cover has been deterred by it—and with good reason: the bribes were solicited by Administration officials in Asian dress.

Blame lies mainly with those in the Administration who improved upon simple venality by making it plain to foreign interests that American policy was for sale on anything from trade to immigration and even citizenship (see next item). Maybe they meant to confine the offer to businesses, but governments overheard them, and in Asia the line between the two is not always clear.

About the Author

John O’Sullivan

John O’Sullivan is a senior fellow at National Review Institute and a contributing editor of National Review.

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Rich Lowry in this issue cites a Commerce Department memo that suggests attacks on the fund-raising scandal be characterized as racist and anti-Asian. This threat seems unlikely to work—neither Mr. Lowry’s story nor our cover has been deterred by it—and with good reason: the bribes were solicited by Administration officials in Asian dress.

Blame lies mainly with those in the Administration who improved upon simple venality by making it plain to foreign interests that American policy was for sale on anything from trade to immigration and even citizenship (see next item). Maybe they meant to confine the offer to businesses, but governments overheard them, and in Asia the line between the two is not always clear.