WASHINGTON, June 5 (UPI) -- America's top ambassadorships across the globe likely will go to U.S. President Obama's biggest campaign contributors, observers say.
Public documents show that eight of Obama's early ambassadorial nominees gave heavily to his presidential campaign or the Democratic Party.
Obama has announced 24 ambassadorial nominations, but only those to Iraq and Afghanistan have been confirmed.
Some are high-profile posts that attract prominent diplomats and political heavyweights; others are cushy jobs that will go to top bundlers and key supporters, The Hill publication said.
Headed for London and the Court of St. James is Lou Susman, a former Citigroup vice chairman and director of the non-partisan Center for National Policy. He bundled a reported $239,000 for Obama's campaign.
Charles Rivkin is Obama's nominee as ambassador to France. A member of the Homeland Security Advisory Council, Rivkin was co-chairman of Obama's California finance committee and helped raise $500,000.
David Jacobson, who served as deputy finance chairman for Obama's campaign, will be America's ambassador to Canada.
White House Personnel Director Don Gips, if confirmed by the Senate, will become ambassador to South Africa. A long-time Obama ally, Gips raised $500,000.
Los Angeles businesswoman and philanthropist Nicole Avant, who raised $500,000 for Obama's campaign, is receiving what is perhaps the plushest post, the Bahamas.
Obama has tapped Laurie Fulton, a Washington attorney, to serve as ambassador to Denmark and Dan Rooney, chairman of the Pittsburgh Steelers football team and a key Obama backer during the campaign, as ambassador to Ireland.
