Many of Obama's top fundraisers given jobs

WASHINGTON, March 8 (UPI) -- More than half of President Obama's biggest fundraisers for his first campaign for U.S. president have been given jobs in his administration, officials said.

Another nine of those 47 bundlers -- those who collected at least $500,000 for Obama's campaign -- have been appointed to presidential boards and commissions, The Washington Post reported Thursday.

The bundlers are volunteer fundraisers who bring in political contributions from affluent donors.

At last two dozen Obama bundlers became foreign ambassadors to countries including Finland, Australia, Portugal and Luxembourg.

The Post noted Obama had campaigned on major ethics reform and had often criticized the role money plays in politics.

"In filling these posts, the administration looks for the most qualified candidates who represent Americans from all walks of life," said White House spokesman Eric Schultz. "Being a donor does not get you a job in this administration, nor does it preclude you from getting one."

Other Obama appointees who had been bundlers include Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr., who raised at least $50,000, and Genachowski, the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, who raised at least $500,000.