Pascual's Not Even In, and He's Out Already?

Via TNR, Ben Smith wonders if Chris Dodd if being the ambassador of Mexico would be a significant enough enticement to convince him not to run for another term in the Senate. Given the fact that Carlos Pascual was just announced as the next ambassador to Mexico a few days ago, I imagine that is just a reflection of Dodd's well known interest in Latin America and Smith's idle wondering, rather than something someone official suggested to him. Whatever the case, it doesn't speak well for Mexico that, even with all the attention on the nation in recent weeks, the top diplomatic post in Mexico City is seen as nothing more than a bargaining chip to lure an old lion to pasture, rather than an important position in and of itself.