Government

Report: President Obama Considering Vogue Editor Anna Wintour for Ambassador Position

Bloomberg: Obama Considering Vogue Editor Anna Wintour for Ambassador to U.K. or France

Anna Wintour, editor-in-chief of Vogue magazine, arrives for a lunch hosted in honor of Prime Minister David Cameron at the State Department on March 14, 2012 in Washington, DC. (Photo: Getty Images)

Bloomberg News is reporting that President Obama is considering Anna Wintour, the editor-in-chief of Vogue and one of his top bundlers, for the coveted position of ambassador to the U.K. of France.

The 63-year-old fashionista has been with the magazine for more than two decades, and some speculated during the campaign that Wintour may be angling for an ambassadorship, based on the amount of effort she put in.

The Huffington Post reminds:

Wintour was one of Obama’s highest profile fundraisers this election cycle, helping design a fashion line that earned his campaign $40 million. She also hosted a $40,000-a-plate fundraiser with actress Sarah Jessica Parker in June, and a $35,000-a-plate fête with Hollywood mega-producer Harvey Weinstein in August.

And here’s a much-ridiculed campaign ad Wintour made on behalf of the president:

Bloomberg notes that while Obama has a history of picking “slightly” more ambassadors with little or no experience in the field than his predecessors (roughly 78% compared to the average 30%), Wintour apparently has diplomatic experience.

Susan Johnson, the president of the American Foreign Service Association, said that Wintour is “clearly an intelligent, energetic, capable, attractive, elegant person…but having experience in the practice of diplomacy and international relations is really a great advantage.”

Private sector international experience certainly counts for something, though it is obviously different than what Wintour would be doing as an ambassador.  However, the Washington Times reminds that she made at least one serious error in judgement abroad.

Not long ago, Wintour’s magazine profiled Asma al-Assad (the wife of Syria’s Bashar al-Assad) as a “rose in the desert” in a Grace Kelly-meets-Middle Eastern chic piece.

Bloomberg: Obama Considering Vogue Editor Anna Wintour for Ambassador to U.K. or France

(Photo: Vogue via The Atlantic)

The Washington Times’ Kerry Picket wrote about Vogue’s relationship with the Syrian dictators in June:

According to a New York Times article from Sunday, Vogue featured a February 2011 piece about the Assad regime’s relationship with the magazine. In fact, last spring, Vogue lovingly profiled Syrian first lady Asma al-Assad and titled the piece “A Rose in the Desert.” The magazine ran the article as the Syrian government slaughtered its people and described…the Assad household as “wildy democratic.”

Vogue Senior editor Chris Knutsen explained away the Assad article to The Atlantic in February of 2011 saying, “For our readers it’s a way of opening a window into this world a little bit.” However, according to the New York Times on Sunday, the Assad article has disappeared from its website (click here to read the Vogue piece on an alternative website). However, Ms. Wintour’s views on the Syrian regime changed suddenly as well. In a statement sent to the New York Times, Vogue wrote:

“Like many at that time, we were hopeful that the Assad regime would be open to a more progressive society. Subsequent to our interview, as the terrible events of the past year and a half unfolded in Syria, it became clear that its priorities and values were completely at odds with those of Vogue. The escalating atrocities in Syria are unconscionable and we deplore the actions of the Assad regime in the strongest possible terms.”

The author of the original Vogue Assad piece, Joan Juliet Buck, admitted, “she regretted the “Rose in the Desert” headline that Vogue put on the article,” but that “Mrs. Assad was ‘extremely thin and very well-dressed, and therefore qualified to be in Vogue.”  ​[Emphasis added]

Bloomberg’s two sources say that Wintour may have some competition, however, from Obama’s finance chairman Matthew Barzun and the managing partner and founder of Avenue Capital Management, Marc Lasry.

Though the White House declined to comment, Vogue spokeswoman Megan Salt denied Wintour’s interest in the position.

“She’s very happy with her current job,” she stated.

Related:

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Comments (129)

  • zoro51
    Posted on December 4, 2012 at 11:09am

    AS IF!!!! damn socialist needs to be IMPEACHED N REMOVED so america can be SANE again….

    Report this comment

    zoro51  
    • mercenary4freedom
      Posted on December 4, 2012 at 11:31am

      They’re kidding right? 63 huh, it looks 83, this thing is a shemale.

      Report this comment

      mercenary4freedom  
    • RANGER1965
      Posted on December 4, 2012 at 11:41am

      More drama from our Narcisist in Chief, President Barrack Kardashian.

      Report this comment

      RANGER1965  
    • AvengerK
      Posted on December 4, 2012 at 11:55am

      “Chicago”…is that racist of me?

      Report this comment

      AvengerK  
    • rs9
      Posted on December 4, 2012 at 1:15pm

      I just love that Anna Winturd

      Report this comment

      rs9  
    • MIBUGNU2
      Posted on December 4, 2012 at 1:17pm

      President Obama Considering Vogue Editor Anna Wintour for Ambassador Position..

      Hell, why not ?? The Country is in the F’N toilet anyway.. George Cloony and
      Sammy L Jacksom along with Freeman, Hell bring em’ ALL….Sean Penn too !!!!
      They can all work for our ROCK STAR…………………………………….WTF ???????

      Report this comment

      MIBUGNU2  
    • Kregneva
      Posted on December 4, 2012 at 1:37pm

      I wonder where the “U.K. of France” is located, Erica Ritz….

      This is just the kind of boring article that most red blooded Americans don’t even stop to look at, but it gets foreigners blood boiling! Only an(all) Aussies could care about the US diplomats who are stationed in safe, protected, non-controversial posts with our closest WWII and NATO allies! It’s fascinating to see foppish long haired florid Ranty-Waistes (yes, I made up a word – won’t refudiate that) get so offended that the new Mick Jagger impersonator is not “winsome enough” for the Royals and Aristocrats. Well, at least they are not endlessly rambling on about the Giants!

      Report this comment

      Kregneva  
    • MIBUGNU2
      Posted on December 4, 2012 at 1:48pm

      President Obama Considering Vogue Editor Anna Wintour for Ambassador Position..
      Hell, why not ?? The Country is in the F’N toilet anyway.. George Clooney and
      Sammy L. Jackson along with Freeman, Hell bring em’ ALL….Sean Penn too !!!!
      They can all work for our ROCK STAR…………………………………….WTF ???????
      If you have enough Money for Da’Man, you can BUY an Ambassadorship..
      Just throw BO and MO a PARTY and give em’ tottsa’mony’…………………….
      Our Gooberment is nothing but a GAWD DAMN “Clown Show” anyway….

      Report this comment

      MIBUGNU2  
    • DontStopBelieving
      Posted on December 4, 2012 at 2:59pm

      HUSSEIN, the gift that keeps on giving. This asshat needs to be impeached ASAP. Anna Wintour? Really? Freakin’ really? How about alice in wonderland, she’d make a good ambassador too. Sheesh, shaking head, walking away.

      Report this comment

      DontStopBelieving  
    • suttonea76
      Posted on December 4, 2012 at 3:00pm

      Well at least she could strike a pose….

      Report this comment

      suttonea76  
    • AvengerK
      Posted on December 4, 2012 at 3:37pm

      It’s not as fascinating as watching MONICNE/SLEAZY HIPPO/ENCINOM/KREGNEVA and his unhinged obsessions….to the point where the little guy has been compelled to reverse the spelling of my screenname as his latest screeenname. It’s easy to get under your skin champ…and your bait stinks.

      Report this comment

      AvengerK  
    • pavepaws
      Posted on December 4, 2012 at 3:46pm

      Of course he is. She is unqualified. He is familiar with being unqualified to hold office.

      Report this comment

      pavepaws  
    • Secret Squirrel
      Posted on December 4, 2012 at 4:05pm

      .
      Ambassador?
      I hear there’s a job opening in Libya.

      Report this comment

      Secret Squirrel  
    • Secret Squirrel
      Posted on December 4, 2012 at 4:06pm

      Darn, did she just edge out Jill Kelley?

      Report this comment

      Secret Squirrel  
    • DIR
      Posted on December 4, 2012 at 5:16pm

      Anna should be America’s first lady (or whatever) ambassador to Mars. Send her there and be rid of her. With those huge designer sun glassed she might be mistaken as a space alien by space aliens. She could declare herself queen of mars and have her own kingdom. What better place for her to mandate her own clothing code and requirements with no opposition. She could throw endless wine tasting and cheese cutting parties for herself, where she could pull her own finger and set off a lively but stinking fireworks display. No one would care because she’d be there all by herself, that is unless Barry and the family decided to take an extended vacation to visit.

      Report this comment

      DIR  
    • MONICNE
      Posted on December 4, 2012 at 5:24pm

      The long haired queen of wallaby wannabes, AVENGERK/KREGNEVA continues to bemuse (as it were) trying to incite reader attitudes by posing as a comically cruel Ugly American caricature, same as his Walkabout boy-pals, a fake “American-sounding” provocateur team sitting in a Brisbane parlor trying to keep from typing ”whilst“ and ”behaviour” like the Aussie deadbeats they are, but regularly failing, “gainsay that, wot!”

      How come you never answer whether or not you are an American Citizen paying Income taxes here? Your silence proves I am right. Uh, Champ. Uh, Cur. (that sounds authentic).

      Don‘t try to deflect the subject away from Murduckie’s exploitative nature. Just because the Demon-Rats are cowards does not get Rup-Poser off the hook. He’s a dyed in the wool (can’t bleat that!) OWG dinosaur, even if he does pay your salary. Loser.

      TEA – It‘s on the menu in DECEMBER

      Report this comment

      MONICNE  
    • turkey13
      Posted on December 4, 2012 at 5:54pm

      Did she not get the memo of what happens when a Obama Ambassador gets in a bind and the rats are climbing the walls. Hope she doesn’t have a family.

      Report this comment

      turkey13  
    • rickc34
      Posted on December 4, 2012 at 5:56pm

      Man is she ugly…63 in human years that equal 441 in dog years right? Yeah that sounds and looks righ 441 years old. Is Obama trying to piss the Brits off.

      Report this comment

      rickc34  
    • Bluebonnet
      Posted on December 4, 2012 at 6:13pm

      OMG! I remember this pushy woman who didn’t like the way Sarah Jessica Parkers house was decorated when she talked Sarah JP into hosting a hughly expensive per plate fund raiser for obama.
      Guess it’s time she gets her back scratched. Bad news.

      Report this comment

      Bluebonnet  
    • SCREW-WINDOWS
      Posted on December 4, 2012 at 10:08pm

      For someone who hates the rich to have money or power he sure is a hypocrite.

      Report this comment

      SCREW-WINDOWS  
  • Sil in CNY
    Posted on December 4, 2012 at 11:05am

    OH for heaven’s sake…….just shoot me now and get it over with already!

    Report this comment

    Sil in CNY  
    • aproudinfidel
      Posted on December 4, 2012 at 2:38pm

      If Obama is going to appoint more incompetent women to big time posts couldn’t he at least find some that don’t look like rooting hogs?

      Report this comment

      aproudinfidel  
  • Cavallo
    Posted on December 4, 2012 at 11:05am

    One hand washes the other.

    Report this comment

    Cavallo  
    • paperpushermj
      Posted on December 4, 2012 at 11:42am

      This is what you do for people who already have wealth and power. You give them hight position and Title such as Ambassador. You rise them up amongst their peers.

      Report this comment

      paperpushermj  
    • Quiata
      Posted on December 4, 2012 at 6:46pm

      Anna Wintour is SO politically biased and driven that during the presidential campaign she FORBADE any of her fashion designers from dressing Ann Romney… that means NO ONE who has any aspirations in the fashion industry would have dressed Mrs. Romney, as Ms. Wintour casts a very wide net. SUCH a “nice” lady.

      Report this comment

      Quiata  
  • NOBO2012
    Posted on December 4, 2012 at 11:00am

    You’ve got to see MOTUS’ take on this, which includes a “Nuclear Wintour” handwriting analysis!

    http://www.michellesmirror.com/2012/12/diplomacy-in-age-of-nuclear-wintour.html

    Report this comment

    NOBO2012  
  • Popp40
    Posted on December 4, 2012 at 10:59am

    Obama just rewarding his “friends” with positions of power…who cares about qualifications.

    Report this comment

    Popp40  
    • oldguy49
      Posted on December 4, 2012 at 11:07am

      he is not qualified so he keeps hiring people that are less so he looks good

      Report this comment

      oldguy49  
    • RJJinGadsden
      Posted on December 4, 2012 at 11:10am

      This is nothing uncommon regardless of party. From what has been reported about her, can you imagine working for her? I feel sorry for the Marines on her security detail.

      Report this comment

      RJJinGadsden  
    • AvengerK
      Posted on December 4, 2012 at 11:57am

      RJJING….do you think Wintour will get better protection than Stevens did?

      Report this comment

      AvengerK  
  • john vincent
    Posted on December 4, 2012 at 10:56am

    Wintour??

    So the national embarrassment continues. But is any body surprised if she gets the nod…after all, image is everything.

    Report this comment

    john vincent  
    • 00100111
      Posted on December 4, 2012 at 11:00am

      It seems a brain is no longer required to be an ambassador. Then again, a brain has never been required to be in Obama’s administration.

      Report this comment

      00100111  
    • encinom
      Posted on December 4, 2012 at 11:14am

      She is more qualified the Joe Rogers, Reagan’s Ambassador to France whose only qualification was that he was a major Reagan donor from as far back and 1976. The was a construction executive that didn’t even speak the language.

      Report this comment

      encinom  
    • john vincent
      Posted on December 4, 2012 at 11:28am

      enci-

      -but the gentleman’s mental acuity was another story.

      When I see Ms Wintour,
      the word ‘empty’ comes to mind

      Report this comment

      john vincent  
    • Walkabout
      Posted on December 4, 2012 at 11:44am

      encinom

      I have seen where some people say don’t take a crash course in a language before going to it, but learn the culture. Not knowing the language is not a problem. They have this new invention called staff among whom some are interpreters.

      Keep up with the John Rogers thing. On 1st Blush Bush’s FEMA director looked unqualified. Upon reading his biography, I say that he was qualified & did all the right things. Try Harder troll.

      Report this comment

      Walkabout  
    • john vincent
      Posted on December 4, 2012 at 11:57am

      walk

      -good call

      Report this comment

      john vincent  
    • AvengerK
      Posted on December 4, 2012 at 12:01pm

      I’ll call your bluff ENCIDIOT/MONICNE/SLEAZY HIPPO/KREGNEVA/(insert todays’ screenname here)…..how is Wintour more qualified? Please elaborate.

      You know….Libya needs a new ambassador something happened to the last one there….

      Report this comment

      AvengerK  
    • Walkabout
      Posted on December 4, 2012 at 12:04pm

      encinom

      After Reagan was elected President in 1980, he named Rodgers to serve on the President’s Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board. Apparently, Joe Rogers had more than his experience as a construction CEO.

      On top of that “Rodgers was named to serve as chairman and acting CEO of Berlitz International”
      Apparently he took his Ambassadorship to France seriously.

      You fail so badly troll :)

      Report this comment

      Walkabout  
    • Walkabout
      Posted on December 4, 2012 at 12:07pm

      One more thing, Joe Rogers “earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Alabama. He served three years in the U.S. Coast Guard.”

      http://nashvillepost.com/news/2008/8/26/joe_m_rodgers_dies_at_75

      Report this comment

      Walkabout  
    • Quiata
      Posted on December 4, 2012 at 6:52pm

      It would be so nice, ENCINOM, if you would actually describe and LIST all of Ms. Wintour’s qualifications. Instead of pointing out past instances of questionable merit, why not prove your own point? Prove everyone here wrong by providing some facts about how Ms. Wintour could in fact fulfill the role of ambassador, and how our Dear Leader’s choices are not so incredibly baseless. Go.

      Report this comment

      Quiata  
  • Walkabout
    Posted on December 4, 2012 at 10:50am

    They could a special needs adult working at a low level job promote them to Ambassador and I don’t think Britain or France would be any more insulted.

    I say let Obama do it. Don;t vote for it. Let the Democrat Senate own this. The bad press from Europe will help dethrone the myth of an Obama Camelot.

    This is more “I am superior”, “in your face” Obama crap.

    Report this comment

    Walkabout  
  • biohazard23
    Posted on December 4, 2012 at 10:45am

    Yeah, and Sarah Jessica Parker can go to Syria or Iran. Better yet, how about to Palestine whenever the UN decides to give them their own country?

    Report this comment

     
  • huey6367
    Posted on December 4, 2012 at 10:44am

    Apparently, Obie doesn’t like her. He doesn’t seem to like ambassadors very much.

    Report this comment

    huey6367  
  • Suzy_Rottenkrotch
    Posted on December 4, 2012 at 10:44am

    Bob Costas to be new head of the ATF.

    Report this comment

    Suzy_Rottenkrotch  
  • thibx
    Posted on December 4, 2012 at 10:43am

    boma has to pay back. he’s trying to get money for unions also. send her to the outback of lybia. she probably is not as dumb as she acts.

    Report this comment

    thibx  
  • toiletclogga
    Posted on December 4, 2012 at 10:42am

    Ambassadors are supposed to exude Americanism, not wipe their ass with it!

    Report this comment

    toiletclogga  
  • COFemale
    Posted on December 4, 2012 at 10:40am

    Are we getting punked? This is a joke right? No fool would appoint a fashion magazine rich bitch as an Ambassador. Oh I forgot we are dealing with Obama. Nothing he does makes sense.

    Well the French are arrogant like Obamaites, so this should be fun on who can be in the spotlight the most.

    Report this comment

    COFemale  
    • huey6367
      Posted on December 4, 2012 at 10:46am

      She would fit in France (think about it).

      Report this comment

      huey6367  
    • Contessa
      Posted on December 4, 2012 at 11:09am

      Saying all French people are arrogant is like saying all American’s act like New Yorkers or Los Angelenos. Parisians ruin it for everyone.

      Report this comment

      Contessa  
    • freedom4ever
      Posted on December 4, 2012 at 11:14am

      didn’t you know that is where the educated people are now in france? that’s what i heard when walking by a group of young doctors! perfect place for her – snobs! lol

      Report this comment

      freedom4ever  
    • mercenary4freedom
      Posted on December 4, 2012 at 11:45am

      Assign her to Egypt then send her Tafir Square to attempt some diplomacy amongst the young men there.

      Report this comment

      mercenary4freedom  
  • BehindBlueEyes
    Posted on December 4, 2012 at 10:40am

    This hag is the epitome of a pompus azz. She should be sent to Somalia to teach the locals how to be civilized.

    Report this comment

    BehindBlueEyes  
  • hauschild
    Posted on December 4, 2012 at 10:40am

    I swear, a guy couldn’t dream this stuff up if he tried.

    Man, this dude is really an idiot. Book smarts has really ruined this nation. Think about what this dude would be doing outside of the WH, a classroom or community organizing event? I just don’t have any confidence in this dude’s common sense.

    Report this comment

    hauschild  
    • MIBUGNU2
      Posted on December 4, 2012 at 3:40pm

      They have re-written the book on Campaigning, outside of that..
      like you say, this “dude” scares the hell out of me..

      Report this comment

      MIBUGNU2  
  • lynnissmart
    Posted on December 4, 2012 at 10:37am

    Oh my! what’s next, what’s next, what’s next? I’ve been saying this for 5 years!

    Report this comment

    lynnissmart  
  • perry1980
    Posted on December 4, 2012 at 10:36am

    This Elitest Snobbbb and ambassador?

    That is Perfect for the Obama Progressive Elitist Administration.

    Absolutely LAUGHABLE

    Report this comment

    perry1980  
  • barber2
    Posted on December 4, 2012 at 10:36am

    Obama is the Media King. Who cares about experience, and education ? This is the New, ” Changed ” America . Probably next week someone from “E” will be appointed to some other high level post by these clueless Chicago radicals !

    Report this comment

    barber2  
  • freenj
    Posted on December 4, 2012 at 10:34am

    Wintour, hag and half!

    Report this comment

    freenj  
  • thekuligs
    Posted on December 4, 2012 at 10:32am

    He wants THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA as a US Ambassador?

    Just when I think I am beyond surprises with this Admin something right out of fiction happens. Though atleast this time its chic lit and not 1984

    Report this comment

    thekuligs  
  • SaturdaysWarrior76
    Posted on December 4, 2012 at 10:32am

    One of 0bama’s biggest campaign contributors, now being considered for a position as a US ambassador… go figure. I wonder if he would sit and watch her die like he did Ambassador Stevens?

    Report this comment

    SaturdaysWarrior76  
  • Pat Alexander
    Posted on December 4, 2012 at 10:31am

    Lîbya

    Report this comment

    Pat Alexander  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on December 4, 2012 at 10:30am

    Great, one more lackey for the communist in the White House. How massive of a bribe was Obama given for this?

    Report this comment

    Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
  • Pork_Anvil
    Posted on December 4, 2012 at 10:29am

    Good for her!

    This doesn’t jibe with Conservatives’ War on Women. They won’t be happy about this.

    Oh noes!

    Report this comment

    Pork_Anvil  
    • Stelex
      Posted on December 4, 2012 at 10:43am

      Its sad you see her as a woman, Porky

      Report this comment

      Stelex  
    • Pork_Anvil
      Posted on December 4, 2012 at 11:05am

      Stelex, it’s “it’s,” not “its.”

      One is a conjunction, the other is possessive. English. Get with the program.

      Report this comment

      Pork_Anvil  
    • AvengerK
      Posted on December 4, 2012 at 12:03pm

      Really ETCHYPORKY? I’ve seen you mangle the English language here with gay abandon.

      Report this comment

      AvengerK  
  • Exidor
    Posted on December 4, 2012 at 10:28am

    She looks like a Sleestak from Land of the Lost.

    Report this comment

    Exidor  

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