Raise a lot of money for the winning presidential candidate, and you’re next title may be Ambassador. That’s no less true for President Obama’s gay donors. The president has nominated two of his gay backers to plum positions in Europe.
Heading to Denmark (if confirmed) will be Rufus Gifford, who was finance director of Obama’s re-election campaign (you know, the one that pulled in more than$700 million.) Gifford is a long-time Democratic finance official who helped raise $30 million for Sen. John Kerry’s unsuccessful presidential campaign in 2004.
James Costos, an HBO vice president, was chosen as the next ambassador to Spain. Costos wrote checks for more than $67,000 to help the president and Democrats last year. The Human Rights Campaign described him as “a true citizen of the world.” Both Gifford and Costos will be representing the U.S. to countries that have approved marriage equality.
Obama has also tapped an openly gay State Department official to serve as ambassador for a multinational government organization. David Baer was nominated to head the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, which focuses on early warning, conflict prevention, crisis management and post-conflict rehabilitation for security issues, including arms control.
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Still in the wings for his ambassadorship: John Berry, former head of the Office of Personnel Management.
Dakotahgeo
THIS NEWS… warms my heart!!! The RepugsTPods/conservatives must be going apoplectic right now. Thank you, President Obama!!
ChiChi Man
Let’s see what BS the Repubs will come up with to block the appointments.
jwrappaport
Why would this warm anyone’s heart? All this confirms is that gay money is as green as straight money, and that these ambassadorships routinely go to the highest bidder. These are token positions that have absolutely no meaning to ordinary gay and lesbian Americans.
Obama continues to bamboozle us with these red herrings while he expends literally no political capital for our community.
Snapper59
Really. When Obama RAN the first time he gave a very convincing performance he was going to end this crap in government. So when the next Republican is elected, an oil company exec will be appointed Ambassador to France (so his wife can shop) and Roger Ailes of Fox News will be appointed Ambassador to……..
John Doe
I’m not sure when these type of “donor” appointments began (likely decades ago), but this is just one example of what is very, very wrong with politics. (Yet, we have come to accept it sadly!)
This type of thing is blatantly and openly rewarding someone with a high level government position simply because of money. Are we blind?
When Obama ran he pledged to bring HOPE AND CHANGE to Washington DC and to the USA. He wanted to change the political culture of DC. Granted, he can’t change Washington DC all by himself and some things no President can change. BUT, this is something Obama has direct control over. Obama is the one choosing his $$$$ donors $$$$ for these top government jobs, not Congress, etc.
I’d rather have CAREER DIPLOMATS that do this type of work day-to-day vs. a rich/wealthy person who is simply being rewarded in some sort of prestige job overseas. I can only imagine what it must be like in some of these embassies. Here you are as a government employee working hard for years & in walks a millionaire donor who is your new boss. Pathetic.
Another Obama failure. (Unless you want to divert attention onto Bush…. as some are in the habit of doing).
Triple S
Doesn’t matter. Obama is crap. And that’s not just me. That’s most of the American sentiment.
Kangol
@Triple S:
Nope, sorry, you’re wrong. Most of America still supports the President. No matter how many times you spew stuff like you did, reality intrudes to contradict you.
Congrats to these new ambassadors, and the rich have buying and receiving ambassadorships since the very beginning of the US Republic.
Obama and these gay supporters, now ambassadors, are following in a long US tradition.
Dakotahgeo
@Kangol: Thank you, Kangol! It tickles me when I read all these silly little diatribes the Obama-bashers spew. What’s really going to be interesting is that when the next 41 months of Obama’s Presidency have passed the right wingers will have to start repeating, “Madame President Clinton…!” That should really choke them up. It is going to be exceedingly difficult for the Repugs/TPods to not slide backwards in 2014/2016. If they keep up their antics, they may not even have a political party left by that time!
dwndckd
@Triple S– that’s not my sentiment and I’m a Libertarian (Tea Party). In fact- the GOP has gone “all-out” trying to keep a lid on current policies (The “gay” issue being one of them). I’m not a big fan of President OBAMA, but truth be told- his approval rating is a lot better than the previous president…. BTW- just to let you know, He [OBAMA] is both hated and feared within the GOP…