Two more bundlers get ambassadorships

Posted: Monday, June 22, 2009 10:15 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: Barack Obama

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro and Abby Livingston
Two more of President Obama's top fundraisers have gotten plum gigs as ambassadors overseas.

The latest are the nominees for Sweden and Morocco.

Matthew Barzun, who raised more than $500,000 for Obama's 2008 campaign, was named on Friday as Obama's choice for ambassador to Sweden.

And here's lookin' at you, Samuel L. Kaplan. Kaplan raised between $100,000 and $200,000 for Obama and got a placement to Morocco.

Five other ambassadors were named on Friday, who were not bundlers, including ones to potential trouble spots around the globe, like Georgia, Croatia, Tajikistan and Uganda. Also named was an ambassador to the Solomon Islands, the Republic of Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea (one post).

This now brings the list of Obama bundlers who've gotten ambassadorships to 12 (about 30% of all named).

Here's the list in full:
-- Donald Gips (South Africa): More than $500,000
-- Nicole Avant (Bahamas): More than $500,000
-- Charles Rivkin (France): More than $500,000
-- John Roos (Japan): More than $500,000
-- Donald Sternoff Beyer Jr. (Switzerland and Liechtenstein): More than $500,000
-- Howard W. Gutman (Belgium): More than $500,000
-- Matthew Barzun (Sweden): More than $500,000
-- Louis Susman (U.K./Northern Ireland): Between $100,000 and $200,000
-- Laurie Susan Fulton (Denmark): Between $100,000 and $200,000
-- Vinai K. Thummalapally (Belize): Between $100,000 and $200,000
-- David Jacobson (Canada): Between $50,000 and $100,000
-- Samuel L. Kaplan (Morocco): Between $100,000 and $200,000

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Comments

1-0
What is the story in this? Presidents have been doing this for decades. Call them what you will - we need ambassadors and often they are not career diplomats. Are you TRYING to make something of this? Like someone was BUYING an ambassadorship? Once again, is this news or tradition?

KayP Tempe AZ (Sent Monday, June 22, 2009 10:19 AM)

Change you can believe in!

No Change (Sent Monday, June 22, 2009 10:22 AM)

This is the first time I've ever been so proud of our bundlers!

Michelle O., Chicago (Sent Monday, June 22, 2009 10:23 AM)

And....what's the problem with this? It's his right. This has nothing to do about the "Change" he promised. You people need to listen, understand what you hear and understand what 'Change" means. I got this....you all haven't go it yet.

Anita, Birmingham, Alabama (Sent Monday, June 22, 2009 10:23 AM)

Two more little people who helped Obama get elected with small donations.

those must have been some lucrative paper routes.

I wonder how his re election campaign will do? Now that he's kicked the Gay community under the bus-he's a social conservative, folks, and a big spending one, too-and more and more people disapprove of his handling of the ecnomy, the deficit, national security. . . .

he may just have to get those bundlers to give up their ambassadorships and go back to work begging for him. Ambassadors are precluded from fundraising, you know. Federal employees and all that.

He's one and done. I just hope he doesn't screw things up so royally that they can't be fixed when he goes back to the Ivory Tower where he belongs.

no joe, no bo, nj (Sent Monday, June 22, 2009 10:24 AM)

If this isn't unusual, is it news?

PS. I thought the President was hysterical Friday night and did anyone else stick around for John Hodgman's speech? We were laughing our butts off,...Very good stuff!

Chuck Todd, while you have the 'facial hair of a radio newsman' it suits you perfectly - don't go changin' to please the President! ha ha

Clara Kansas City, MO (Sent Monday, June 22, 2009 10:24 AM)

"PAY-TO-PLAY".....
What happened to "Change you can BELIEVE in!"

J. Merle Stanley, Westchester, NY (Sent Monday, June 22, 2009 10:25 AM)

To quote former (thank God) Vice President, Dick Cheney..."SO?"

eagle1776 (Sent Monday, June 22, 2009 10:25 AM)

Money talks for Obama. Why else is tort reform not a part of his plan to control costs in his healthcare plan?

Money Matters (Sent Monday, June 22, 2009 10:25 AM)

Oh Boy...

Here we GO again... What is the fascination with this Domenico...? ALL past Presidents have done it!

Let's talk about something of substance...

Say like HEALTH CARE REFORM!

The bait & switch tactics are not going to work this time! Let the righties SCREAM their lungs out about something as minimal as this...

I'll scream about Quality Affordable Healtcare for ALL CITIZENS!

Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL (Sent Monday, June 22, 2009 10:26 AM)

FR: Five other ambassadors were named on Friday, who were not bundlers, including ones to potential trouble spots around the globe,

So if you don't make money for Obama, you get sent to places where you will get shot at? What exactly is the message here?

Sunji Hhargensen (Sent Monday, June 22, 2009 10:27 AM)

MONDAYS HEADLINES.
....................

Iran Revolutionary Guard threatens protesters...
Iran starts airforce maneuvers in Gulf...
North Korea threatens to harm USA if attacked...
Planned launch unnerves Hawaii residents...
Ship suspected of carrying missiles...
Al Qaeda says it would use Pakistani nukes on USA...
Numbers on Welfare See Sharp Increase...
BUDGET NIGHTMARES: STATES PLAN DEEPER CUTS...
GOLDMAN SACHS to make record bonus payout; had a Spectacular first half of '09...

RASMUSSEN: Obama Approval Index falls to lowest rating... a continuing decline.

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Monday shows that 33% of the nation's voters now Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as President. Thirty-four percent (34%) Strongly Disapprove giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of -1.
Today is the second straight day the President’s rating has been below zero.

THERE IS NO SHAME IN OBAMA ... (Sent Monday, June 22, 2009 10:28 AM)

Richard Wolffe’s book Renegade is excellent. Some of the stories are priceless. I expect it to be on the NYT best seller list…if it isn’t already.

I haven’t watched David Gregory for months now…regardless of who he has on. I agree with Feisty on most things, and would be OK with Lawrence O…but Chuck is still the next Tim.

To me the funniest line was that Joe Biden and Joe Scarbrough, both talk too much

Ron Indiana (Sent Monday, June 22, 2009 10:28 AM)

That money went to running false TV ads, but it's ok for the hypocrite democrats.

http://www.rightwingnews.com/mt331/2007/03/john_kerry_and_company_small_p.php

Dave, Tn (Sent Monday, June 22, 2009 10:29 AM)

Hooray for all the great bundlers who helped raise the money to defeat the dopes of nope last election. They deserve to get the perks of winning, just like it's been for so many decades. To the victors go the spoils.

Isn't it disgusting that in California there is a group of young repugnant ones called the Young Politicians who have been busted for rigging voter registration for their decrepit cheating party? Yeah here they are whining about ACORN when they have their own version of ACORN doing what the repugnant ones falsely claimed ACORN was doing. Hopefully the Young Cheating Politicans group will be outlawed here and everywhere.

In Obama We Trust!

Eric, Salinas, CA (Sent Monday, June 22, 2009 10:33 AM)

".....What is the story in this? Presidents have been doing this for decades. ....."
KayP Tempe AZ (Sent Monday, June 22, 2009 10:19 AM)

You know damn well what the story is here! You just don't want to see it in print.

The story IS that Obama said he was going to "CHANGE" the way Washington DC operates....and he hasn't done that, nor does he intend to at all.

He is LIAR, a CHARLETON, and a STREET HUSTLER who pulled the wool over your eyes and everyone else's who supported him.

THAT is the story...and you DAMN WELL KNOW IT!

J. Merle Stanley, Westchester, NY (Sent Monday, June 22, 2009 10:37 AM)

Congratulations! :)

===============================================
From previous post:

Dear Jonathan, Flint, MI:

We have a right to affordable healthcare because making a profit off of sick people is immoral and wrong.

Because if we have a "representative" government, then why the hell aren't we being represented?

Because if we can go across the ocean and help other people, then we can damn well help the people here as well.

Because our current system is inefficient and we don't like it. We want it fixed.

It is not a point to be "debated" like your pie in the sky goverment "theories". People are going bankrupt and dying.

Other countries are doing a better job in this area - better costs and outcomes.

The American people VOTED for a change in how healthcare is administered in this country. I thought that was all that was requried in representative government?

To Alan, NJ:

The "single expense" of BILLIONS of dollars EVERY YEAR going to various states having a natural disaster is actually an ongoing expense, no?

And even it it wasn't, where in the hell do we pull this money from? The natural disaster fairy dust fund? Funny how the "states rights" crowd is a little wishy washy when it comes time to put THEIR money where their mouth is.

P.S. I know that both parties give money to their speical interests . . . and I am telling both parties that they had better take it back before they try and tell me that they cannot "afford" to reform our for profit health rationing system.

Nashville_fan (Sent Monday, June 22, 2009 10:44 AM)

Here's my question. 30% of Obama's ambassadors are bundlers. Give me a bench mark--what were Bush, Clinton, Bush, Reagan numbers?
This isn't a big issue to me, but if he's lower, that's good, it's an improvement, if he's higher, that's bad. But i'm not going to get juiced up over who's ambassador to Sweden either way.

Steve Mac (Sent Monday, June 22, 2009 11:00 AM)

Good for Mr. Kaplan heading to Morrocco. They are ahead of us in Heathcare. I believe they are number 36 on the Planet for good Healthcare.

Barbara - Fort Lauderdale, FL (Sent Monday, June 22, 2009 11:12 AM)

J. Merle Stanley, Westchester, NY (Sent Monday, June 22, 2009 10:37 AM)

And you know very well that President Obama has changed plenty. He did not promise to change absolutely everything in Washington and yet that is what you wanted to hear, so that is what you constantly whine about.

He is far more transparent that any President in modern history. He has done far more to reduce the influence of lobbyists on the executive branch that any President has even attempted in the past several generations.

He is not perfect and I accept that. There is always room for improvement. But I did not vote for him because I thought he would be perfect. I voted for him because I thought he would change the direction of the country from one of being a big world bully that does whatever it can to support big corporations and ignore science to one that believes in diplomacy before power, sensible regulation of business, and listening to scientific facts before making decisions.

I am one of the approximately 1/3 of the US that strongly believes he is doing an excellent job!

Chris - IL (Sent Monday, June 22, 2009 11:21 AM)

He's one and done. I just hope he doesn't screw things up so royally that they can't be fixed when he goes back to the Ivory Tower where he belongs.
no joe, no bo, nj (Sent Monday, June 22, 2009 10:24 AM)
___________

But remember, just like we aren't allowed to blame Bush for a single thing now that he has left office, nothing will be Obama's fault once he leaves office. So, you will have to abide by your own decrees and not blame him once a new President is in place.

Anyone want to bet whether THAT will happen? (Sent Monday, June 22, 2009 11:26 AM)

I NEED ONE OF THOSE JOBS YOU PROMISED, OBAMA! I can be an ambassador.

Willing to Work (Sent Monday, June 22, 2009 11:27 AM)

Boo hoo GOP (Sent Monday, June 22, 2009 11:28 AM)

Haven't you learned that by now? (Sent Monday, June 22, 2009 11:29 AM)

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Monday shows that 33% of the nation's voters now Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as President. Thirty-four percent (34%) Strongly Disapprove giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of -1.
Today is the second straight day the President’s rating has been below zero.
THERE IS NO SHAME IN OBAMA ... (Sent Monday, June 22, 2009 10:28 AM)
__________

33% stronlgy approve, 34% strongly disapprove. So what if 34% of America strongly disapproves. What was the poll last week 30 or 40% of the GOP are not happy with their own direction? Still seems the GOP has worse numbers than Obama. In the battle of the lesser of two evils, the GOP is still being looked on as the greater evil. And so little time before the next congressional/senatorial elections.

Circle those wagons fast!!! (Sent Monday, June 22, 2009 11:32 AM)

They know about fundraising but nothing else ... so they get an ambassadorship from Obie. Typical. Have they paid their taxes lately?

Bad Chihuahua (Sent Monday, June 22, 2009 11:32 AM)

Here's what I don't get about the good/bad over bundlers. Clearly, if someone is a lobbyist or the head of a PAC, then bundling money for the campaign is showing a strong tilt toward doing things the old way.

But lets say I strongly support a candidate, and I go to all of my friends and contacts and tell them, "I am supporting candidate so and so, and here's why I think they are great. If you agree, please contribute to his campaign fund. In fact, write a check today and we will get it to the campaign fund."

So I put my name on the check so the candidate knows I was a strong supporter. And I helped raise money to get him elected. If and when he does get elected, assuming I am qualified, I might want to work for this administration that I believe in.

It isn't like I should be ruled out because I helped get him elected.

Like Steve Mac, I would love to see some comparisons. Is 30% of ambassadors being bundlers high, low, or average in terms of recent Presidents?

Chris - IL (Sent Monday, June 22, 2009 11:33 AM)

Did anyone watch morning joe this morning? He did not talk much today. He got the message from the dinner friday night. Everyone was laughing at that joke, even Mika was laughing. The President likes Chuck T. Morning Jo_ke. haha

Ejfree (Sent Monday, June 22, 2009 11:36 AM)

jOE bIden and joe Scar joke was funny. joe was quiet this morning.

buggey (Sent Monday, June 22, 2009 11:38 AM)

It would be interesting if you could compare this percentage (currently at 30%) with President Bush's appointements?

EVVJSK (Sent Monday, June 22, 2009 11:54 AM)

This kind of thing has been going on for HUNDREDS of years. There is even a service that arranges diplomatic positions for people including "sponsored" Ambassadorships. http://www.diplomaticpassport.com The positions are from small countries around the world, but perfectly genuine appointments. In regards to the article, fundraising for a politician who is trying to become the President or Prime Minister of a country is the easiest way to get a great job in diplomacy. I know, I am a career diplomat who is outranked by people who basically "bought" their positions.

J.Marsh, Paris, France (Sent Monday, June 22, 2009 12:03 PM)

This is silly. People, loyalists that take the time to get on the phone and solicit donations are often given positions in every predident's administration.....

New Indi (Sent Monday, June 22, 2009 12:31 PM)

"there will be no place for lobbyists in my white house"

"for too long . . ."

too many to list, anybody wanna play guess who said it?

welcome to changeville

Ted K, Hyannis, MA (Sent Monday, June 22, 2009 12:54 PM)

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