Washington (CNN) - Major donors of President Barack Obama are leading candidates for ambassadorships, Democratic sources tell CNN.
Marc Lasry, founder of Avenue Capital Group and a key Wall Street backer of Obama during the election, is the leading candidate for ambassador to France, according to two Democratic sources.
The Lasrys were passionate supporters of Hillary Clinton during the 2008 primary campaign, but became big Obama bundlers in the last election cycle.
Patrick Gaspard, a former executive director of the Democratic National Committee, is a leading candidate to be ambassador to South Africa.
And Matthew Barzun, an Obama campaign finance chair and former ambassador to Switzerland, is the leading candidate for top envoy to England, the sources said.
According to one Democratic source, Caroline Kennedy, daughter of President John F. Kennedy, is also being considered for an ambassadorship.
It is rumored that she will be nominated to be the ambassador to Canada, though Bloomberg reported Wednesday night that she will be nominated as the ambassador to Japan.
Kennedy endorsed Obama early on in the 2008 election, and was a national co-chair of his 2012 campaign. A different source close to Kennedy says she hasn't been asked to do anything and isn't being vetted.
So far there are no confirmations of any nominations for Vogue editor Anna Wintour. In December, Bloomberg reported that Wintour - another big Obama bundler –- was on the short list for an ambassadorship.
From CNN Politics
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Obama's typical schedule:
- Visit local diner for breakfast
- Work out at the gym
- Meet up with sports teams / cancer patients
- Lunch at local diner
- Visit business and greet supporters
- Prep for evening events
- Dinner at white house, fundraiser $50,000 a plate
- Meet and greet with donors, at fundraiser with hired hollywood stars
Way to make something out of nothing Fox-Lite. Like all the other Presidents haven't done the same.
Keep throwing that red meat to the rabid wolves.
Pay to Play, now who amongst us are surprised by this.
"The best, most qualified person for the job" does not apply anymore, not in the private or public sector. It's all about who you know and how much you kiss up.
Wow - I guess no prior administration ever rewarded top people in this way. I think it calls for a major investigation . . . into the heads of the powers-that-are at CNN, for thinking that this is "news."
Did other presidents do this? I think so. Ambassadorships have always served as a reward for those who you like, or those who did you some kind of favor, or as a PR boost. They are sometimes critical positions, but most are almost ceremonial in nature.
This is kind of like when Bush appointed his donors and friends to positions (remember "Brownie" at FEMA?) - except those positions required actual expertise. Being an ambassador is not the same kind of job (for most countries).
Are we to believe this is something new?
I guess Obama lie is now public. He was not going to have that in his presidency, what a hypocrite. The man has lied from day 1 and his sheep still follow and make excuses. Typical
You don't say. The White House was advertising $500K donors get private access to Obama so big money for ambassadorships is a given. He has come a long way from swearing off lobbyists considering they now run the White House. Did you hear that those same beacons of morality were threatening Bob Woodward for his reporting.
And this is different from any other administration..HOW???
Whoever he appoint's will be critisize by the GOP's. Even if he appoint Michelle Backman or Sarah Palin, the GOP will still be whinning. See what happened to Chuck Hagel..
The president has every right to appoint who he think can do the job.
I can't remember the last time I cared who was picked by ANY president to become Ambassador of [ fill in the blank ]. Perhaps I'm missing the "big picture"? Is Jessica Yellin suggesting that this has never been done before?
No doubt GOPers will be overjoyed to fill me in using their oh so unique and oh so subtle FOX and Friends talking points.
Ban all ambassadors!!! Oops...wrong thread.
I think another shocking subheading to this unbelievably insightful news should be "Sun rises today"! What deep journalistic skills it took to break this story! Whoever wrote this story must have been living under a rock for many decades.
Ambassadorships have always been used this way. They are largely ceremonial.
The headline suggests that key executive posts (like the director of FEMA) have been given to donors. It is highly misleading, and worthy of Fox News.
Yawn... this is so-o-o... Republican.
Nice to see 2 non-Americans nominated as American ambassadors. LOL. What a joke.
Obama = No hope, No change, No transparency, No leadership but lots of first-class travel.
Anyone still think Obama was NOT backed by Wall Street just like every other president since around the Kennedy admin? Time for you to WAKE UP!!!
Nothing changes until we clean house in DC. They pretty much all have to go.
"The best, most qualified person for the job" seems to no longer apply – neither in the private or public sector. It'a all about who you know and how much you're willing to kiss up.
Like they say on Wall Street, you need to offer the appropriate compensation for the best talent.
Getting Washington straightened out and stopping the "business as usual" - huh? It's interesting that so many posts here seem to think if other presidfent's have done it, it's okay to continue doing it - well, at least for this president. All those "wrongs" making "right" again!
And to the GOP criticizing whomever he appoints - well, that's because it is now apparent more than ever that it isn't about who can do the job; it's about who he owes for their support. And here I thought all those one percenters were Republicans - hmmm. Guess it's okay to be rich if you support Barack Obama, and then you get to be Queen for a day - or King or court jester.
How much do you have to donate to get sent to Benghazi?
This is meaningless red meat for the right wing to jump up and start beating their war drums, just like they're trained to do.