Wednesday, February 16, 2005

Big Bush Donor Was Promised Ambassadorship

A big Republican donor goes to his governor and senator, saying he was told by President Bush's chief fund-raiser he'd be getting a plum ambassadorial appointment but it wasn't delivered. The senator takes his case right to the top of the White House.
Nothing happens for two years.
The donor then helps stage a fund-raiser for Bush. A week later, the donor lands an appointment as the chairman of the federal board overseeing billions of dollars of student loans.
The aggressive job campaign of businessman Duane Acklie -- detailed in the Nebraska gubernatorial files of new Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns -- provides a rare window into donors, their access and their rewards.
And there's a twist.
Acklie named names -- including chief fund-raiser Jack Oliver -- and committed to writing one of the unwritten rules of politics: Presidents for years have rewarded big donors with plum ambassadorships.

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