Plum jobs for Obama donors: Political 'payoffs'?
A watchdog group says the administration has rewarded big donors with coveted posts and other perks. Did Obama break his promise to clean up D.C.?

Though President Obama took office two years ago vowing to banish "special interests" from the White House, a watchdog investigation has found that nearly 200 of his biggest donors have landed coveted government jobs and advisory posts, won valuable federal contracts for their business interests, or attended elite White House events. Does this validate the conservative charge that Obama's a hypocrite? (Watch an ABC News report about the controversy.)
This is bulletproof evidence of the president's failings: "Obama promised to end business as usual in Washington as part of his 'Hope and Change' platform," says Ed Morrissey at Hot Air, but these "payoffs" prove he never meant it. One funding "bundler" who raised more than $500,000 for Obama ended up being appointed ambassador to South Africa, and his company "got $13.8 million in Porkulus dollars for broadband projects." That's nothing new in Washington, but it sure destroys Obama's credibility as a reformer.
"Obama donors score big in administration"
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Wait, Obama did nothing wrong: If you raise a million dollars for someone's campaign, "you tend to get a phone call returned," says Michael Caplin, who raised money for Obama and was later appointed to the Commission on Presidential Scholars, as quoted by Politico. But the fact that you expressed your political views by backing Obama or any other candidate shouldn't be a strike against you. Anyone who is "truly excellent," donors included, should have the chance to serve.
"Top Barack Obama donors net government jobs"
Either way, it doesn't look good: Maybe Obama really did "believe he would change Washington's ancient deference to cash," says Frank James at NPR, but just fell short. Or maybe he was "more cynical, deliberately telling voters what he knew they wanted to hear even as he knew that he would play the game the way it's always been played." Either way, the parade of donors into his administration "doesn't exactly portray him in the best light."
"Report: Obama's big money raisers get key posts, access, stimulus dollars"
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Why UK scientists are trying to dim the Sun
In The Spotlight The UK has funded controversial geoengineering techniques that could prove helpful in slowing climate change
By Abby Wilson
-
Gandhi arrests: Narendra Modi's 'vendetta' against India's opposition
The Explainer Another episode threatens to spark uproar in the Indian PM's long-running battle against the country's first family
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK
-
How the woke right gained power in the US
Under the radar The term has grown in prominence since Donald Trump returned to the White House
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK
-
The JFK files: the truth at last?
In The Spotlight More than 64,000 previously classified documents relating the 1963 assassination of John F. Kennedy have been released by the Trump administration
By The Week Staff
-
'Seriously, not literally': how should the world take Donald Trump?
Today's big question White House rhetoric and reality look likely to become increasingly blurred
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK
-
Will Trump's 'madman' strategy pay off?
Today's Big Question Incoming US president likes to seem unpredictable but, this time round, world leaders could be wise to his playbook
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK
-
Democrats vs. Republicans: who are the billionaires backing?
The Explainer Younger tech titans join 'boys' club throwing money and support' behind President Trump, while older plutocrats quietly rebuke new administration
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK
-
US election: where things stand with one week to go
The Explainer Harris' lead in the polls has been narrowing in Trump's favour, but her campaign remains 'cautiously optimistic'
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK
-
Is Trump okay?
Today's Big Question Former president's mental fitness and alleged cognitive decline firmly back in the spotlight after 'bizarre' town hall event
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK
-
The life and times of Kamala Harris
The Explainer The vice-president is narrowly leading the race to become the next US president. How did she get to where she is now?
By The Week UK
-
Will 'weirdly civil' VP debate move dial in US election?
Today's Big Question 'Diametrically opposed' candidates showed 'a lot of commonality' on some issues, but offered competing visions for America's future and democracy
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK