President Barack Obama recently announced the appointment of 20 private-sector members to the President’s Export Council. Although the President promised to provide Americans an “unprecedented level of openness in Government,” the White House announcement did not mention the numerous financial connections between President Obama and his appointees.
To correct that oversight, here is a breakdown of the $2.1 million in campaign donations provided by individuals associated with the business and labor interests now represented on the President’s Export Council, as reported at opensecrets.org and fec.gov.
Topping the list? United Association, the giant plumbers union. A member described the appointment to the Council as “a toy bone for all the money donated to Obama’s election.” Now we’ll wait to see exactly what the plumbers are going to export!