Obama nominates 3 financial backers to diplomatic posts

Fredreka Schouten | USA TODAY

WASHINGTON — President Obama on Tuesday nominated three more of his financial backers for plum ambassadorships, bringing to 11 the number of people involved in campaign fundraising that he has rewarded with diplomatic posts since the start of June.

Kentucky entrepreneur Matthew Barzun, who helped raise more than $700 million as national finance chairman of Obama's 2012 campaign, secured one of the most coveted nominations — U.S. envoy to England.

Barzun, an investor in Internet start-ups, would serve his second tour of duty as a U.S. ambassador if confirmed by the Senate. He was U.S. ambassador to Sweden from 2009 to 2011 before resigning to work on Obama's re-election.

The posting to the United Kingdom is traditionally reserved for political allies — 93% of U.S. ambassadors to that country since 1960 have been political appointees, according to data maintained by the American Foreign Service Association, which represents career diplomats. Barzun would replace another early Obama financial backer, former Chicago investment banker Louis Susman, in London.

John Phillips, the recently retired founder of a Washington law firm, was tapped to serve as ambassador to Italy. Phillips is married to Linda Douglass, a former network television reporter. She worked on Obama's campaign and later promoted his health care law as a White House aide.

Phillips raised at least $500,000 for Obama's re-election, according to a fundraiser list released by the campaign. Obama reported fundraising in broad ranges only.

Crystal Nix-Hines, a California lawyer and former TV producer and writer, was nominated to serve as U.S. permanent representative to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. The post, which carries the rank of ambassador, is based in Paris. She raised at least $500,000 for the 2012 campaign.

Nix-Hines, a former New York Times reporter, includes Alias and The Practice among her television credits.