In Episode II, we learn that Jar Jar Binks is a "Representative," presumably representing the Gungan people for Senator Amidala's senatorship.

Okay, Gungan/Naboo alliances, political cooperation, fair representation in a legislative body, that all makes perfect sense.

But why exactly did Jar Jar get the job? He's an embarrassment to his entire species. He's not very intelligent or tactful, or knowledgeable as far as we know. He was even exiled from his own people.

The obvious conclusion still remains: His relationship with Padme got him the job. Hang out with the Queen for a week and be the first Gungan she ever meets, and apparently she'll like you enough to appoint you to an important and historic position. Was she really even that fond of Jar Jar? It didn't seem like it, but there is something to be said for familiarity alone.

But that doesn't address the big issue. Since when would Ms. Democracy consent to having a representative position be appointed? It should be up to the Gungan people to decide who their representative is.

So unless the Gungans collectively decided to vote for Jar Jar, just to get him as far away from them as possible (which honestly isn't that far-fetched), something fishy happened.

Boss Nass probably did Jar Jar another unwarranted favor, like promoting him to general. Given what we know of Gungan politics and of Boss Nass, that's actually not too unlikely.

So I guess we can blame the Galactic Empire on Boss Nass. Damn you Boss Nass and your shortsighted favoritism!