ABC correspondent Jonathan Karl is the bane of Josh Earnest’s existence, or at least during his time as the White House spokesperson.
Karl added to a long list of heated exchanges with Earnest on Tuesday when he asked about President Obama’s nominee for Ambassador to Hungary Colleen Bell.
"If you can remind me, what are Colleen Bell’s qualifications for ambassador?" Karl asked. "Is it that she is a soap opera producer, is it that she gave hundreds of thousands of dollars–or helped raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the Obama reelection campaign? Why was she chosen?"
Earnest said the nominations were long overdue, and that he was relieved that the president’s nominees had been approved.
In regard to Bell and her fundraising efforts for Obama, Earnest reiterated the president’s confidence in Bell as a representative of the United States government.
"She is somebody who retains confidence," Earnest said. "Well, let me say it this way. Ambassador Bell has the president’s confidence that she will do an excellent job representing the United States and maintaining the important relationship the United States has with the government and the people of Hungary."
Karl was not satisfied with her response.
"But where does the president get that confidence?" Karl asked. "In her confirmation hearing she couldn’t even name a single strategic interest the United States had with Hungary."
Earnest pointed to her "distinguished private sector career," namely as a soap opera producer, and "as somebody who has succeeded in the business world."
"Can you tell me that the fact that she raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the president’s re-election campaign had nothing to do with her appointment?" Karl asked.
"I can tell you that’s not the reason she was chosen," Earnest said.