Watch Live: Obama’s Counterterrorism Speech

Watch Today’s BlazeCast With Your Questions, Comments & Live Chat!

Government

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

Dec. 4, 2012 10:23am Erica Ritz

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.

(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.

–

Benghazi, IRS, AP...What's next? Only TheBlaze TV offers the truth from Glenn Beck, Andrew Wilkow, and Real News from TheBlaze. Get instant access and a free trial here.

Back to The Blaze »

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
Log in to ReplyReply
- 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
- RANGER1965
  Posted on December 4, 2012 at 11:41am
  More drama from our Narcisist in Chief, President Barrack Kardashian.
  
  Report this comment
- AvengerK
  Posted on December 4, 2012 at 11:55am
  “Chicago”…is that racist of me?
  
  Report this comment
- rs9
  Posted on December 4, 2012 at 1:15pm
  I just love that Anna Winturd
  
  Report this comment
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- suttonea76
  Posted on December 4, 2012 at 3:00pm
  Well at least she could strike a pose….
  
  Report this comment
- 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
- 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
- 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
  Posted on December 4, 2012 at 4:06pm
  Darn, did she just edge out Jill Kelley?
  
  Report this comment
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
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
Log in to ReplyReply
- 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
Cavallo
Posted on December 4, 2012 at 11:05am
One hand washes the other.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- 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
- 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
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
Log in to Reply Reply
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
Log in to ReplyReply
- 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
- 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
- AvengerK
  Posted on December 4, 2012 at 11:57am
  RJJING….do you think Wintour will get better protection than Stevens did?
  
  Report this comment
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
Log in to ReplyReply
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- john vincent
  Posted on December 4, 2012 at 11:57am
  walk
  
  -good call
  
  Report this comment
- 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
- 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
  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
- 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
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
Log in to Reply Reply
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
Log in to ReplyReply
- huey6367
  Posted on December 4, 2012 at 11:29am
  Two thumbs up on the SJP idea.
  
  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
Log in to Reply Reply
Suzy_Rottenkrotch
Posted on December 4, 2012 at 10:44am
Bob Costas to be new head of the ATF.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
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
Log in to Reply Reply
toiletclogga
Posted on December 4, 2012 at 10:42am
Ambassadors are supposed to exude Americanism, not wipe their ass with it!

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- huey6367
  Posted on December 4, 2012 at 10:45am
  Have you heard of Obama before now?
  
  Report this comment
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
Log in to ReplyReply
- huey6367
  Posted on December 4, 2012 at 10:46am
  She would fit in France (think about it).
  
  Report this comment
- 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
- 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
- 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
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
Log in to ReplyReply
- RIGHT_WHERE_IT_HURTS
  Posted on December 4, 2012 at 12:43pm
  Speardodger.
  
  Report this comment
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
Log in to ReplyReply
- 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
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
Log in to Reply Reply
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
Log in to Reply Reply
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
Log in to Reply Reply
freenj
Posted on December 4, 2012 at 10:34am
Wintour, hag and half!

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
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
Log in to Reply Reply
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
Log in to Reply Reply
Pat Alexander
Posted on December 4, 2012 at 10:31am
Lîbya

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
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
Log in to ReplyReply
- BrendaB
  Posted on December 4, 2012 at 11:33am
  She and Jessica were hs best fund raisers….remember
  
  Report this comment
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
Log in to ReplyReply
- Stelex
  Posted on December 4, 2012 at 10:43am
  Its sad you see her as a woman, Porky
  
  Report this comment
- 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
- 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
Exidor
Posted on December 4, 2012 at 10:28am
She looks like a Sleestak from Land of the Lost.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- let us prey
  Posted on December 4, 2012 at 10:31am
  Lmao.
  
  Report this comment
- Obama Snake Oil Co
  Posted on December 4, 2012 at 10:32am
  Does this mean that Obama will ignore her request for help and let her to die too?
  
  Report this comment
- biohazard23
  Posted on December 4, 2012 at 10:44am
  That’s being generous, isn’t it?
  
  Report this comment
- biohazard23
  Posted on December 4, 2012 at 10:51am
  Hey there, Prey. :) Little Man will be walking any day now. YIKES!!!
  
  Report this comment

It appears that you have Javascript Disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser preferences for a better user experience on TheBlaze. You can not comment without Javascript enabled.