On June 19, President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate Samuel L. Kaplan to be Ambassador to the Kingdom of Morocco. Official bio released by the WH below:
Mr. Samuel L. Kaplan is a founding member of Kaplan, Strangis and Kaplan, P.A. established in 1978. Clients of the firm include TCF Bank Savings fsb, The Minnesota Twins, Adams Affinity Group, Liberty Diversified Industries, Caldrea Home Care, Polaris Industries, Inc., Lupient Automotive Enterprises, and Davisco Foods International, Inc. Mr. Kaplan has served for over 25 years as General Counsel for the Minnesota Wine and Spirits Association.
Mr. Kaplan received his B.B.A. degree in accounting with distinction from the University of Minnesota and his J.D. degree, magna cum laude, from the University of Minnesota where he was president of the University of Minnesota Law Review, and received the Order of the Coif. He served as an adjunct professor of law during the early years following law school graduation. He is often a visiting lecturer at law school classes and speaker at continuing legal education programs.
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OpenSecrets.org of the Center for Responsive Politics has identified Mr. Kaplan of Minneapolis, MN as one of President O’s bundlers who raised between $100,000-$200,000 during the campaign. [Bundlers are people with friends in high places who, after bumping against personal contribution limits, turn to those friends, associates, and, well, anyone who's willing to give, and deliver the checks to the candidate in one big "bundle"]. Public Citizen has also identified Mr. Kaplan as one of the Obama bundlers who donated $5,000 to the transition.
If confirmed, Mr. Kaplan would replace Thomas T. Riley, a Bush Pioneer and presidential friend who was appointed US Ambassador to Morocco in 2003, during George W. Bush’s first term.
In July 1, 1917, the American Legation at Tangier had been converted into an Agency and Consulate General. The status of the mission was changed in 1925 to Diplomatic Agency and Consulate General, and in 1933, to Legation again. Embassy Rabat was established on Jun 11, 1956, with William J. Porter as Chargé d'Affaires ad interim. Four of the last five US Ambassadors to Morocco had been political appointees.
Related Item:
President Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts, 6-19-09
