President Obama may have placed some limits on lobbyists serving in the White House, but he has had no problem continuing the timeworn Washington practice of doling out coveted diplomatic posts to big-money backers.
Anna Wintour, editor-in-chief of Vogue magazine, may be the latest luminary to reap the rewards of directing millions Mr. Obama’s way. The president is considering nominating her for an ambassadorship in Britain or France, according to a Bloomberg report.
As a major bundler for Mr. Obama’s re-election campaign, Miss Wintour co-hosted a star-studded fundraising event at actress Sarah Jessica Parker’s home in early June and helped out with a line of Obama merchandise that brought in $40 million for the campaign.
Mitt Romney’s campaign, under fire at the time for his wealth and luxury homes, was quick to poke fun at Mr. Obama’s flashy New York fundraiser. In the week leading up to the event, the campaign ran an ad titled “Meanwhile,” featuring Miss Wintour, wearing what appeared to be a silk scarf with the Obama campaign logo, talking up the lavish party while statistics about the country’s dismal economic numbers ran below.
But Miss Wintour, 63, may have some competition for the two prestigious posts, Bloomberg reports. Matthew Barzun, finance chairman of Mr. Obama’s presidential campaign, also wants the London job, while Marc Lasry, the managing partner and founder of Avenue Capital Management and another big Obama bundler, has his eye on the Paris embassy.
