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Obama set to appoint close friend and fundraiser as London ambassador

despite pledge to end cronyism

By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 1:15 PM on 21st May 2009

Barack Obama is to appoint a close friend - and major fundraiser - as
the new US ambassador to London.

Louis Susman, nicknamed the 'vacuum cleaner' for his ability to hoover
campaign funding, is expected to be soon confirmed as ambassador after
Buckingham Palace approved the appointment earlier this month.

The move comes after senior diplomats called on the U.S. President to
put an end to the tradition of awarding the position to friends and
financial backers.

Susman, 71, former vice-president of Citigroup has raised at least
$500,000 for the presidential campaign, and a further $300,000 for
Obama's inauguration.

He told the Chicago Tribune: 'I don't think anyone enjoys raising money,
but for some reason I seem to have a knack'.

Susman is a long-time Democrat supporter and has a house in the same
affluent area of Chicago as the President, near Lake Michigan but his
new role will see him move intoWinfield House, a huge neo-Georgian
mansion in Regent's Park.

The appointment of diplomats with little political experience has caused
controversy in recent years, with the London role dubbed a retirement
posting for backers.

Morton Abramowitz, a retired diplomat, urged Obama to 'declare that he
will not appoint ambassadors who have secure their posts through
financial contributions and who have little background to merit any such
appointment' .

Former President George W Bush appointed two ambassadors that were
accused of paying little attention to politics during their time in
London.

William Farish, a Texan millionaire, was described as 'agreeable as he
was invisible.'

Robert Tuttle, funded social events with his own money and reportedly
entertained over 25,000 guests in less than four years.

Candidates for the plum post included Oprah Winfrey and Caroline
Kennedy.

Http://www.dailymai l.co.uk/news/ worldnews/ article-1185691/ Obama-set-
appoint-close- friend-fundraise r-London- ambassador- despite-pledge- end-
cronyism.html