6.10.2005
George Bush's Man in Wellington (Stuff.co.nz)
10 June 2005
By TRACY WATKINS
A restaurant king and big Bush campaign donor is tipped to become the next United States ambassador to New Zealand.
William P McCormick, the co-founder and chairman of Oregon-based McCormick & Schmick's seafood restaurants, is reported to be in line for the ambassadorship when Charles "Butch" Swindells completes his Wellington posting this year.
Mr McCormick is a member of the elite "rangers and pioneers" group of Republican Party supporters who raised money to re-elect President George W Bush last year.
Like Mr Swindells, who is also from Oregon, Mr McCormick has been a significant fundraiser for the US president - often a route to diplomatic postings.
As a Bush "pioneer", Mr McCormick, 65, pledged to raise at least $US100,000 in individual contributions for the 2004 campaign.
(More ... STUFF : NATIONAL NEWS - STORY : New Zealand's leading news and information website) ¶ 20:32
By TRACY WATKINS
A restaurant king and big Bush campaign donor is tipped to become the next United States ambassador to New Zealand.
William P McCormick, the co-founder and chairman of Oregon-based McCormick & Schmick's seafood restaurants, is reported to be in line for the ambassadorship when Charles "Butch" Swindells completes his Wellington posting this year.
Mr McCormick is a member of the elite "rangers and pioneers" group of Republican Party supporters who raised money to re-elect President George W Bush last year.
Like Mr Swindells, who is also from Oregon, Mr McCormick has been a significant fundraiser for the US president - often a route to diplomatic postings.
As a Bush "pioneer", Mr McCormick, 65, pledged to raise at least $US100,000 in individual contributions for the 2004 campaign.
(More ... STUFF : NATIONAL NEWS - STORY : New Zealand's leading news and information website) ¶ 20:32
