Big Obama Donor Turned Ambassador Quits Amid Harsh Criticism
- Posted on February 4, 2011 at 11:47am by
Jonathon M. Seidl
- Print »
- Email »
WASHINGTON (AP) — As a supporter of presidential candidate Barack Obama, Cynthia Stroum was a superstar whose financial backing of the campaign landed her a plum diplomatic posting in Europe.
As America’s ambassador to Luxembourg, the wealthy Seattle-based businesswoman was a disaster.
According to an internal State Department report released Thursday, less than a week after she quit, Stroum’s management of the U.S. Embassy in the tiny country was abysmal. The report says her tenure of about one year was fraught with personality conflicts, verbal abuse and questionable expenditures on travel, wine and liquor.
Stroum’s case illustrates the pitfalls that presidents can face when they appoint non-career diplomats to ambassadorships as a reward for their political support.
The Luxembourg embassy “has underperformed for the entirety of the current ambassador’s tenure,” said the report, which was prepared last fall before she resigned abruptly. “At present, due to internal problems, it plays no significant role in policy advocacy or reporting, though developments in Luxembourg are certainly of interest to Washington clients and other U.S. missions in the NATO and EU communities.”
Stroum resigned effective Jan. 31, just days before the scathing report from the State Department’s inspector general was made public. A message left with a person who answered the phone at her Seattle home said she was unavailable for comment. The call was not returned.
In a farewell message published in the Luxembourg press, Stroum said she was leaving the job because she wanted to return to private life. “The reality is that I now need to focus on my family and personal business,” she said.
At the State Department, her departure was not announced. Spokesman Mark Toner gave no hint of problems when asked about the situation. “We are grateful for her service to the United States and wish her all the best in her new endeavors,” he said.
But the report paints a picture of a corrosive atmosphere at the small embassy, with the ambassador running roughshod over staff, threatening to read their e-mails, largely concerned about job-related perks and involved in improper purchases.
The situation was so bad that the inspector general recommended that the State Department dispatch medical personnel to Luxembourg to test the stress levels of embassy employees. It said at least four staffers quit or sought transfers to Iraq and Afghanistan during her tenure, unusual steps for diplomats assigned to a modern, Western European capital.
“The bulk of the mission’s internal problems are linked to her leadership deficiencies, the most damaging of which is an abusive management style,” the report said. “She has followed a pattern of public criticism of colleagues, including (deputies), who have not performed to her satisfaction.”
“Those who have questioned or challenged some of the ambassador’s actions state that they have paid a heavy price in the form of verbal abuse and been threatened with dismissal,” it said.
The report said the State Department was aware of the situation and that a perceived lack of action in dealing with it could be harmful. “It is unfortunate that an impression is being created among officers and local employees at this mission that this kind of behavior may be routinely tolerated by Department of State leadership, particularly for non-career ambassadors.”
Stroum began her short diplomatic career in 2009 when Obama nominated her to the cushy position of U.S. ambassador to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, a tiny nation of 500,000 people about the size of Rhode Island and surrounded by France, Belgium and Germany.
Aside from her business experience as an investor, entertainment producer and philanthropist active in numerous charities, Stroum’s major qualification for the post appeared to be her generous contributions to Democratic politicians and causes, particularly Obama’s campaign.
Financial reports say Stroum donated the maximum personal amount to Obama’s campaign. She also donated $2,300 to the failed presidential campaign of former Sen. John Edwards.
As a fundraiser, the records show she was responsible for ginning up at least $500,000 for Obama, putting her near the top of the campaign’s money generators.
The inspector general said it had learned in interviews with embassy staffers that Stroum, shortly after her arrival in Luxembourg, discussed with them “the importance she attaches to the perquisites of” being an ambassador. As such, she was particularly concerned about the state of the ambassador’s residence, which was being renovated, it said.
Because of the renovation, Stroum sought temporary housing. An embassy official spent six weeks searching for an appropriate property and, using contacts in Luxembourg, Belgium, Germany and France along with two officials from the U.S. Embassy in Brussels, screened 200 properties and visited 30 to 40.
They found only four that met the ambassador’s requirements and she rejected all of them, according to the report, before an acceptable residence finally was found.
Apart from those difficulties and management problems, the report identified several improprieties while Stroum was in charge in Luxembourg. Among them:
— Stroum spent $2,400 to fly with an aide to a Swiss “professional school” whose graduates have gone on to work for Buckingham Palace and similar places to interview candidates to replace a retired property caretaker and a fired chef. The purpose of the trip was listed as “management meetings.” Although no one from the school was hired, such recruitment is allowed only if there are no qualified local employees. In addition, they did not get proper authorization for the trip.
— The embassy purchased $3,400 in wine and liquor a day before the 2010 budget year ended in an effort spend as much of its annual entertainment funds as possible. The booze did not arrive until the next fiscal year and State Department rules say embassies are not allowed “to use excess year-end funds” to buy items unless they are used in that year.
— Stroum was reimbursed for the purchase of a new bed because she “preferred a queen bed to the king-size bed already provided.” The embassy twice asked Washington to reimburse the amount but was denied because it was a personal choice. Despite the refusals, the No. 2 at the embassy signed off on a voucher “reimbursing the ambassador for the cost of the mattress out of program funds.” The report said the voucher needs to be repaid.
Popular Stories
Paper Details Obama Admin’s Alleged Secret Note Sent to Iran: If Israel Attacks, We Won’t Get Involved 564 Comments
‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 390 Comments
This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 381 Comments
Roseanne Barr: Most Billionaires ‘Violent Pedophiles’ & ‘Heartless’ Cocaine Addicts 365 Comments
President Obama Issues Major ‘Green Energy’ Executive Order 319 Comments
Faith
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 381 Comments
Pakistani Muslim Cleric Accused of Framing Disabled Christian Girl in Koran-Burning Case Read More- ‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 390 Comments
Meet the Controversial German Imam Accused of Brutally Beating His Wife & Pushing Sharia Law Read More
‘Self-Proclaimed Messiah’ & Unification Church Leader the Rev. Sun Myung Moon Has Died — Here’s His Life Story Read More
Business
- President Obama Issues Major ‘Green Energy’ Executive Order 319 Comments
- Germany’s Upcoming Court Ruling Will be Huge for the EU Read More
Ford Looks to Beat Toyota for Best-Selling Car in 2012 With This Model 150 Comments
Bernanke & QE3: Here’s What You Need to Know Read More- ‘Extortion’: Why Did the Labor Department ‘Drop the Hammer’ on Oregon Farmers? 302 Comments
Technology
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 381 Comments
‘TaserDrone’: Hackers Weaponize Quadcopter With Actual ‘Shocking’ Technology Read More
Ever Heard of the Wild ‘Burning Man’ Festival in the Middle of the Nev. Desert? Here’s Your Primer Read More
Stanford Develops Technology ‘Better Than Steroids’ for Athlete Recovery Read More
Have You Pretended to Know What ‘the Cloud’ Is? You’re Not Alone Read More
Submitting your tip... please wait!
Comments (92)
teachermitch32
Posted on February 4, 2011 at 12:46pmWhat can be expected regarding this story? We have a POTUS who was inexperienced, who then appoints embassadors, czars, cabinet (6 of whom he never talks to), and other officials, all who lack the experience and skills needed to head their posts. Really…what was expected?
Report Post »alcarfl
Posted on February 4, 2011 at 2:35pmSpot on , Teach. You speak for a lot of us.
Report Post »mcpbob
Posted on February 4, 2011 at 12:44pmWell done Obama….. can you please show us a junior high school diploma please…. it really shows you have no clue at all about anything….. maybe you should try getting a job as a parking lot attendant
Report Post »ihveit
Posted on February 4, 2011 at 1:24pmihv no way would i let him park MY CAR..
but i would let him pick up my garbage… or clean the latrines at gitmo..
Report Post »will
skyguy51
Posted on February 4, 2011 at 12:39pmSounds like another one of the “Duchesses” from Obama’s inner circle is more qualified to be the court jester instead of an ambassador.
Report Post »Angelacw
Posted on February 4, 2011 at 12:38pmWhen are we going to be reimbursed for Pelosi’s drinking habit?
Report Post »eatpork.theotherwhitemeat
Posted on February 4, 2011 at 12:30pmThis woman’s qualifications are.sad
Report Post »Napolitanos qualifications for HS is disgusting.
Bidens intellect is laughable.
Arne did a heat job in the educational system in Chicago
Geitners’ proven ability to deceive and practice responsible taxation is par for a Democratic party line
Derek01
Posted on February 4, 2011 at 12:23pmAt least this fool had enough sense to quit. A teachable moment for you Obama. Hint. Hint.
Report Post »ConservativeBeauty
Posted on February 4, 2011 at 12:20pmWhat I’d like to know is, and not only in this situation, is where the underlings of these people are?? They never come forward publicly and show themselves….tell their side, even though they do it privately. This lady was one of those people in school who were nobodies!!! Then either they have or acquired money, use it, and feed their pre-empty egos. Well, the “Miller High Life” for her is done…good riddance. may she crawl back under the rock from wence she came. The end!
Report Post »William113
Posted on February 4, 2011 at 12:20pmI’ll bet she is jewish. Since Beck won’t point anything having to do with the jewish cartel that has ruined our country I will. If she was Muslim I’m sure beck would that point it out.
Report Post »aLinedog
Posted on February 4, 2011 at 1:44pmyou will? “Bet she is Jewish”? Sounds like conjecture and rabble-rousing to me. I’d suggest you do some research while you are out here posting. I‘m sure you don’t have electricity in that cave you crawled out of…
Report Post »-Line
davecoolworld
Posted on February 4, 2011 at 1:59pmWILLIAM…..there is nothing about this story to suggest she is Jewish. Nothing.
Report Post »I think you are just a racist bigot. If you look hard enough at ANYTHING I guess you can apply your hatred to fit any scenario.
Although, my guess is you are a mole. Even you can’t be that stupid to see something that is CLEARLY not there.
BehindBlueEyes
Posted on February 4, 2011 at 4:42pm@william113
Report Post »I looked at all your other posts and they all have the same jewish obsession. Your a low life mole.
Silversmith
Posted on February 4, 2011 at 12:17pmShe fits the description – under qualified, jealous, petty, vicious – she would make a fine Czar.
Silversmith
Report Post »Slobaphobe
Posted on February 4, 2011 at 12:16pmIs she related to Michelle?
Report Post »alcarfl
Posted on February 4, 2011 at 12:15pm“The reality is that I now need to focus on my family and personal business,”
This is what POTUS is going to proclaim about June 2012 when he suddenly discovers he couldn’t get re-elected dog catcher. Can’t come soon enough.
Report Post »BehindBlueEyes
Posted on February 4, 2011 at 12:12pmSounds like a Leona Helmsley wannabe.
Report Post »Stljarhead
Posted on February 4, 2011 at 12:11pmDear Lord…spent $2400 to fly to Switzerland looking for a chef???!!! I spent 4 years of my youth living directly across the German border from Luxembourg. I mean within walking distance across a footbridge over the Sauer River. Luxembourg has SUPERB food. Words can’t express the culinary delights available to a visitor to Luxembourg. And this woman flew to Switzerland to find a chef??!!! Dear President Obama: please stop wasting these cherry postings on the ungrateful and the unappreciative. I will be glad to serve as Ambassador to Luxembourg…for life if you need me there. And I’ll only hire local talent, I promise!
Report Post »aLinedog
Posted on February 4, 2011 at 1:21pmI was thinking the same thing, Jarhead. A country of 500k can’t be that hard to service.
Report Post »“I wonder if I could drum up enough support for the next winner to make a case for THAT assignment.” Of-course, at this point I’ll work on pretty much anything just to HAVE a job! I know an old grunt could do that tasking better than her. We, military folks tend to have a lot of respect for the ‘low’ countries that got completely screwed post-WWII.
Guaranteed, If we were spending that much a day on entertainment.. Europeans would LOVE US! You could entertain folks from all over the continent for that amount. Put a pig in the ground, some beer on ice -for the Americans, obviously- and BAM! Everyday is Octoberfest! Woohoo!
-Line
Sgt.Murph
Posted on February 4, 2011 at 12:11pmWhat? Chicago politics don’t work globally? Who’d a-thunk it?
Report Post »djeffcoat
Posted on February 4, 2011 at 12:11pmJust how many inept, incompetents has the “empty suit” appointed in exchange for political favors? How long will it take for the USA to recover from this 4-year fiasco?
Report Post »grahampink
Posted on February 4, 2011 at 12:11pmSeems like she got confused as to who in Luxembourg was royalty and who was a paid American Government employee.
Report Post »Bearfoot1
Posted on February 4, 2011 at 12:09pmObama needs to held accountable for this…… But not to worry Cynthia, he has some other cushy job for you.
Report Post »MBA
Posted on February 4, 2011 at 12:04pmGo figure. A group of elitist, greedy, and stupid communists trying to take over our country, How degrading that obamy and his people are embarrassing the US all over the world.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on February 4, 2011 at 12:10pmUnfortunately we have a president who feels he needs to apologize constantly for the evils of america in world history. He most likely will appologize at some point to the germans for us invading in the second world war, and to all the world again for each and every crime committed since the dawn of time – as it must have been Americas fault even while the nation never existed yet.
Report Post »patriot 2008
Posted on February 4, 2011 at 12:04pmhaha..more evidence this coward in office is pathetic and …oh, nevermind….typical obie!
Hey General, go get me more wine, boy!
Report Post »GeauxAlready
Posted on February 4, 2011 at 11:58am.
Report Post »Another Drunk Moron Driving the Country off a bridge this time. R.I.P. Teddy
larman
Posted on February 4, 2011 at 11:56amUnfortunately, this is how our government works the high bidder gets the bid, not the best qualified.
Report Post »http://www.larryfalco.com
hauschild
Posted on February 4, 2011 at 11:53amTypical, corrupt liberal.
Report Post »oldguy49
Posted on February 4, 2011 at 12:00pmits not just libs – a lot of our officials electel or appointed feel its free money -
Report Post »hauschild
Posted on February 4, 2011 at 1:08pmWhen I say “Liberals”, I don’t necessarily pigeon hole it exclusively to an elected official; more the liberal mindset in general, which is to take what you can, when you can, because somebody else is paying for it”.
Report Post »Highland
Posted on February 4, 2011 at 2:19pmShe’s just following the example of the Imperial Obamas, for whom life in the White House is just one big taxpayer-funded party. The Middle East is imploding and they’re busy with the guest list for their Super Bowl party, and you and I are the ones buying all their booze and gourmet free-range organic chicken wings.
Report Post »Rob_M
Posted on February 4, 2011 at 11:53amAmbassadorship to minor countires to just basically hang out is a classic pay off to friends. She musta really messed up to get in this much trouble.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on February 4, 2011 at 12:01pmNo, the mistake she has made was in getting caught.
Report Post »UpstateNYConservative
Posted on February 4, 2011 at 12:08pm@Rob_M
You know it’s really bad when staffers want transfer from a cushy assignment to Iraq and Afghanistan where they might get shot.
Report Post »AzDebi
Posted on February 4, 2011 at 12:47pm@Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
“No, the mistake she has made was in getting caught.”
Report Post »_________________
Guess she didn’t listen well enough in class when they talked about…“Keep your friends close and your ENEMIES CLOSER”…ha ha ha…She just made too many ENEMIES…she could learn a thing or two from Obama….huh?
tinydd
Posted on February 4, 2011 at 11:53amReally? Who cares? Next story please.
Report Post »spendthrift
Posted on February 4, 2011 at 11:50amKing O at his best. How many more are out their like her?
Report Post »Rogue
Posted on February 4, 2011 at 11:56am……”experience as an investor, entertainment producer and philanthropist active in numerous charities”. Sounds like she simply didn’t know how to work a real job with actual responsibilities. Par for the course in this administration. No worries though, I’m sure she would make a great community organizer.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on February 4, 2011 at 11:59amToo many unfortunately, for now political positions are offered and given to those willing to give (or in the olden days “bribe”) to campaigns. So we can see what utter disasters and another case of the total embarassment of the administration has again made of the country.
Report Post »BMartin1776
Posted on February 4, 2011 at 12:00pmTypical of BHO he has no clue what he is doing so he hands out jobs to his equivalents! This guy is the definition of disaster and people say Bush was bad!!
http://www.savingtherepublic.com
Report Post »smithclar3nc3
Posted on February 4, 2011 at 12:01pmLet’s start with the a tax cheat running the IRS
Report Post »And man who sees no problem with a 15 year old boy sleeping with a 30 year man as safe school czar
CatB
Posted on February 4, 2011 at 12:02pmHow many are in the WH .. Over-paid Czars living it up on the taxpayer?
Report Post »patriot308
Posted on February 4, 2011 at 12:09pm“an abusive management style” Gee…… who would have expected that from an wealthy, spoiled….. ‘Do as I say not what I do, Don‘t expect me to live within the rules’…..uber liberal. I’m shocked!!!!
Report Post »solaveritas
Posted on February 4, 2011 at 12:09pmWhat happened to the CHANGE? This is BUSINESS AS USUAL.
Another day, another broken promise, another lie revealed. How much will it take?
Report Post »MiketheTrucker
Posted on February 4, 2011 at 12:15pmI don’t understand why she was fired, I mean she clearly is the quintessential drunken, bombastic, air-headed liberal perfectly fit to serve the obama regime.
Report Post »AzDebi
Posted on February 4, 2011 at 12:15pm“The situation was SO BAD that the inspector general recommended that the State Department dispatch MEDICAL PERSONNEL to Luxembourg to test the stress levels of embassy employees.”
_________________
When I read this…………..I LAUGHED SO HARD THAT I NEARLY PEED MY PANTS!!! Wonder if we (the American Citizens) could apply for some kind of MEDICAL GRANT to help US with OUR STRESS LEVELS caused by THIS ADMINISTRATION!!!!
and
“It said at least four staffers quit or sought transfers to Iraq and Afghanistan during her tenure”
_________________
Good God…the woman must be a REAL TYRANT for them to seek relief in those God-Forsaken Ratholes!!!!! Wonder how her family feels about her return to her “private business”….They’ll be next to seek medical help!
Oh, thank God for a sense of humor…it is PRICELESS during times like these!
Report Post »jbh
Posted on February 4, 2011 at 12:19pmI just might start with the 40 or so czars at the moment.
Report Post »WAR PIGS CRAWLING
Posted on February 4, 2011 at 12:19pm@Rogue…right on the money.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on February 4, 2011 at 12:19pm@AZDebi
Come 2012, if the nation is still more or less intact, there is a medical stress test we can apply to the administration – voting and having every last one of them thrown out of office and then tried for the crimes committed while in office.
Report Post »Showtime
Posted on February 4, 2011 at 12:32pm@smithclar3nc3
Go to Walter Jones’ website. It appears that you are in NC’s 3rd District, which is Walter’s district. He’s asking for input regarding a meeting next week.
I received his emailed letter because I used to cover him when I worked for the newspaper in Onslow County, not because I was in his district. I was in Duplin County (Mike McIntyre, blue dog Democrat).
Report Post »Showtime
Posted on February 4, 2011 at 12:34pmProbably a lot, but this woman NEEDED to go! This has to be embarrassing to the Dem Party (hahahahaha!), and wasteful use of our tax dollars.
Report Post »hickoryrat
Posted on February 4, 2011 at 12:47pmJust more of Chicago-machine- thug politics.
When will this stop? Only when good people stop it.
V
Report Post »walkwithme1966
Posted on February 4, 2011 at 1:21pmThey are under the State Department so they are Sec Clinton’s responsibility. I am sure that the bad ones get weeded out. But don’t believe that this only occurred with Obama – it has happened with very administration was they give these positions out to fund raisers who have no diplomatic experience. A classic example is the Ambassador to Yemen who interfered and yelled at FBI agents investigating the Cole bombing and she was a Bush appointee. http://wp.me/pYLB7-A4
Report Post »grandmaof5
Posted on February 4, 2011 at 1:27pmAlot, and I wish it would only take “harsh criticism” to get rid of them. I can think of a couple of choice things I would like to tell them.
Report Post »tower7femacamp
Posted on February 4, 2011 at 1:39pmMaybe Chertoff will also quit
Report Post »he will make us miss Nazi Germany.
http://www.erichufschmid.net/TFC/Bollyn-Chertoff_roots.html
Michael Chertoff, the new head of the Department of Homeland Security, was approved in a 98-0 vote in the U.S. Senate without the question of his Israeli roots – and nationality – even being raised.
Now he gets rich from Naked Body scanners sold to TSA for the slaves
Marcobob69
Posted on February 4, 2011 at 2:02pmBusiness as usual in the Obama EMPIRE!
Report Post »davecoolworld
Posted on February 4, 2011 at 2:03pmWith the apparent drinking our President does, it seems to me that alcohol is the common element for all appointments. These progs must be drunks for their “policies” to make sense.
Report Post »betterthantv
Posted on February 4, 2011 at 2:38pmMichelle Malkin’s book Culture of Corruption lists more than enough to make you sick. Team O is full of losers, radicals and favor recipients.
Report Post »Libertyluvnmomma
Posted on February 4, 2011 at 4:10pmShe sounds like a fascist dictator. I wonder where she gets it?
Report Post »Ken
Posted on February 4, 2011 at 5:04pm@Spendthrift: Now THAT’s a very scary thought!!!
Report Post »The Vengislator
Posted on February 4, 2011 at 7:17pmNothing to see here. Move along. Move along.
Report Post »mossbrain
Posted on February 4, 2011 at 8:15pmIt’s not just democrats, it’s the rich, they think they are royalty when in fact they are garbage. Remember those companies like Enron where the executives were spending millions on stuff only rich people with perverted minds would want. Look at the Arab countriies where the rich live lives of perverted luxury while the common people are worked like slaves.
Report Post »