Jake Tapper
The real issue behind picking Anna Wintour as ambassador
Beyond the kerfuffle over publishing and fashion magnate Anna Wintour’s suitability for a diplomatic post is the larger issue: money. Wintour’s fundraising for President Obama’s reelection campaign is really the only reason we’re having this discussion. She has raised millions of dollars for the president’s reelection.
“We urge the political parties to move away from the practice of financial campaign contributions, and sale, essentially, of ambassadorships,” says Susan Johnson, president of the American Foreign Service Association. Johnson has been in the foreign service for 32 years.
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“Has the President seen The Devil Wears Prada?
Akzed on December 11, 2012 at 9:48 AM
Um….she has absolutely no diplomatic skills?
Wethal on December 11, 2012 at 9:51 AM
She’s rich, mean, rude & hates us plebes! Tax the hell outta her and send her to the French!
JAM on December 11, 2012 at 9:53 AM
She would have the staff bowing to her as she passed…I’m sure she would have a marvelous relationship with the Marine Security Guard Detachment.
major dad on December 11, 2012 at 9:53 AM
I don’t mind her as a US ambassador. Just station her in Benghazi.
rbj on December 11, 2012 at 9:56 AM
If she were capable I wouldnt mind if she had donated to a campaign. But the fact is that shes a b!tch and so bad that they made a movie about that fact. So no, money is not the real issue. The real issue is that she would be a disaster.
Valkyriepundit on December 11, 2012 at 9:56 AM
She’s the perfect person to hand deliver useless and narcissistic gifts to the Queen.
gwelf on December 11, 2012 at 9:56 AM
She sounds like she’d be another one of those Ambassadors From Hell, like some of the others he’s appointed.
Ward Cleaver on December 11, 2012 at 9:58 AM
She is EXACTLY what the Left wants – a ruling class that transcends titles that tells us peasants how to think, dress, act, and live.
ramesees on December 11, 2012 at 9:59 AM
Johnson is absolutely right. Money and influence trumps any innate ability. And, let’s face it, how are most of these positions anything more than payback and a resume enhancer?
Prime example from O’s first term was Doug Kmiec who delivered much of the supposed Catholic prolife vote and was rewarded with an island vacation in the Mediterranean, the ambassadorship to Malta.
Kmiec was a farce, spent a year or so writing position papers, and left in disgrace, a useful idiot.
marybel on December 11, 2012 at 10:02 AM
No the real issue is her haircut, a modified pageboy.
Bishop on December 11, 2012 at 10:04 AM
I think Obama knows that she’s a witch with a capital B, which is exactly why he wants her in a country that he hates.
blink on December 11, 2012 at 10:07 AM
Maybe if all of our ambassadors wore helmets fashioned from their own hair like Anna does, fewer of them would die in terrorist attacks.
steebo77 on December 11, 2012 at 10:19 AM
The real issue behind picking Anna Wintour as ambassador.
She’s a pompous bi*ch with a fat purse?
What do I win??
ToddPA on December 11, 2012 at 10:19 AM
“We urge the political parties to move away from the practice of financial campaign contributions, and sale, essentially, of ambassadorships,” says Susan Johnson, president of the American Foreign Service Association.
I never understood the relationship between giving large campaign donations and getting an ambassadorship. How about those with large feet work in Treasury? It makes as much sense, qualifications-wise.
Paul-Cincy on December 11, 2012 at 10:30 AM
What is he whining about? The most glamorous Ambassadorships have ALWAYS been used as a form of patronage. Administrations of both stripes have historically appointed some Olympic-class Tools to these roles. It’s a baubel, the actual work is always done by the deputy (a professional) and his staff.
We’ve given the Queen an Ipod of DogEater’s speeches, made them take back the bust of Churchill. Sending them Anna Wintour is an appropriate follow-on insult.
CorporatePiggy on December 11, 2012 at 10:35 AM
Ambassador? Id rather have her as president. At least she knows how to make a buck.
trigon on December 11, 2012 at 10:37 AM
I find it hard to get worked up about this one. Ambassadorships have gone to the privileged patrons of presidents for generations. At least this Wintour goofus was born in England — she’ll fit right in & be BFFs with the locals.
The only thing that gives me heartburn is my taxes are now going to pay for the housing and lavish social life of a millionaire ice queen.
KS Rex on December 11, 2012 at 10:45 AM
Oh, so now we are going to get all picky over whether or not a big money bundler can be government appointed party thrower? Where was Jake Tapper when big money bundlers with extremely sketchy businesses are given loads of taxpayer money we don’t have? And promptly lost it while somehow enriching themselves. The media’s selective outrage, or even interest, is the problem here.
Cindy Munford on December 11, 2012 at 10:45 AM
I dunno. Is she gone in the teeth?*
*snarky reference to British dentistry; also clever Ezra Pound allusion
Seth Halpern on December 11, 2012 at 10:46 AM
I do see the money thing as a big problem, and it’s one that transcends politics. The most capable people should be the face of the United States, not the biggest bundler or contributor. Heck, all positions should be filled based on capability, not payback, but that never happens…could be one reason why our country is in such a disastrous condition, eh?
ellifint on December 11, 2012 at 10:49 AM
Where were these media guys when Obama appointed a rich dilletante lawyer as Ambassador to Japan in 2009? The Japanese were highly offended. Obama passed over a highly respected Harvard professor and Japan expert that everyone expected to get the post, for a guy from Silicon Valley who raised him millions.
Obama has crapped on our allies for 4 years, why would anyone expect him to suddenly do anything different now?
I just hope David Cameron returns the favor and appoints Victoria Beckham as ambassador to the US. And I will enjoy knowing that Anna Wintour has become utterly irrelevant as Great Britain will be focused for the next year on the Royal Baby.
rockmom on December 11, 2012 at 10:52 AM