Car sales boss is Bush's UK envoy

[emad]

Julian Borger in Washington
Friday June 10, 2005
The Guardian

George Bush yesterday nominated Robert Tuttle, a Beverly Hills car dealer, presidential friend and fundraiser, as the next American ambassador to Britain.

The nomination of Mr Tuttle, who owns a car sales group called Tuttle-Click Automotive, comes after nearly a year without a US ambassador at the Court of St James.

The announcement had been rumoured for months but was delayed by wrangling between the White House and the Senate over the nomination of John Bolton, a prominent unilateralist and hawk, as ambassador to the UN.

Mr Tuttle's appointment is also subject to confirmation by the Senate, but it is unlikely to provoke the same degree of opposition, because he is not known as an ideologue.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,12271,1503558,00.html

[emad]

1. Reagan link: The Times:

Mr Tuttle, known as Bob, is a Bush “Pioneer”, part of a group who raised at least $100,000 (£55,000) each for Mr Bush’s re-election.

He also gave $100,000 towards Mr Bush’s inauguration celebrations in January and is a friend of Brad Freeman, a fellow Californian who is Mr Bush’s chief West Coast fundraiser and a confidant of the President. Mr Tuttle, named by The Times in March as the favourite for the post, must be confirmed by the US Senate, almost certainly a formality.

US ambassadorships have long been awarded by presidents to political donors as a reward, and Mr Bush has upheld the tradition.

A third of his top fundraisers in 2000, or their spouses, were appointed to positions in his first Administration that included thirty ambassadorships and five Cabinet seats. Since he was first elected Mr Bush has appointed 188 Pioneers, or Rangers — donors who raise at least $250,000.

Mr Tuttle is known as an engaging businessman steeped in Republican politics. His father, Holmes Tuttle, built the first Ford dealership in California and famously sold a car to Ronald Reagan in 1946, when he was an unemployed actor.

They became friends, and Mr Tuttle Sr was one of three California businessmen who helped to convince Mr Reagan to run for governor.

His son has been involved with the Republican Party since 1979, when he became a member of Mr Reagan’s election team. Mr Tuttle is currently the joint managing partner of Tuttle-Click Automotive Group, one of California’s biggest dealerships.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,11069-1648218,00.html

[Spectral]

2. A car dealer? Dissin' the Brits, eh?

:donut:

[omega minimo]

3. That's what * is

*'s head jerky, shrugaholic grimacing body language reminds me of a greasy used car dealer. Instead of the US flag, he should be standing in front of a line of little triangular plastic pennants, flapping in the idiot wind.

:evilgrin:

[applegrove]

4. Having trouble finding people with the 'exact mix' of qualifications

they need to carry the message. Wow! Is this in retaliation for Blair pushing on Africa debt?

[Spectral]

5. Good question

:donut: