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Letter to an American Letter to an American
(40 minutes later)
The new American Ambassador to the UK has arrived in London to begin his posting.The new American Ambassador to the UK has arrived in London to begin his posting.
America's new ambassador to Britain is sworn in by Hillary ClintonAmerica's new ambassador to Britain is sworn in by Hillary Clinton
Seventy-one-year-old Louis Susman was a vice-president of US bank Citigroup until he retired in February and has long been a backer of the Democrats.Seventy-one-year-old Louis Susman was a vice-president of US bank Citigroup until he retired in February and has long been a backer of the Democrats.
A close ally of President Obama, he was nicknamed "the vacuum cleaner" for his ability to raise campaign funding.A close ally of President Obama, he was nicknamed "the vacuum cleaner" for his ability to raise campaign funding.
BBC Radio Radio 4's Broadcasting House invited the writer and noted America-watcher Robert McCrum to write a letter to Ambassador Susman, looking at the role and the challenges he faces.BBC Radio Radio 4's Broadcasting House invited the writer and noted America-watcher Robert McCrum to write a letter to Ambassador Susman, looking at the role and the challenges he faces.
Louis Susman arrives with a big reputation for political savvy. He is an Obama loyalist, and not so diplomatic either.Louis Susman arrives with a big reputation for political savvy. He is an Obama loyalist, and not so diplomatic either.
Referring to the unknown Obama in 2004, he told the Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry: "This guy will be on a national ticket one day."Referring to the unknown Obama in 2004, he told the Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry: "This guy will be on a national ticket one day."
History does not relate Kerry's response to this news, but Ambassador Susman's good instincts made him a natural cheerleader in the last election.History does not relate Kerry's response to this news, but Ambassador Susman's good instincts made him a natural cheerleader in the last election.
It did him no harm that he also comes from Chicago, Barack Obama's home base. Loyalty gets its own reward - and Mr Susman got London.It did him no harm that he also comes from Chicago, Barack Obama's home base. Loyalty gets its own reward - and Mr Susman got London.
It is often described as 'plum job'.It is often described as 'plum job'.
Winfield House is a lovely Georgian mansion, with the biggest back garden in London, known locally as Regent's Park.Winfield House is a lovely Georgian mansion, with the biggest back garden in London, known locally as Regent's Park.
And you also get to take tea with Her Majesty.And you also get to take tea with Her Majesty.
But it can be a bed of nails. In 1938, Susman's predecessor, Joe Kennedy - JFK's father - took the post, bursting with ambition and Anglophilia.But it can be a bed of nails. In 1938, Susman's predecessor, Joe Kennedy - JFK's father - took the post, bursting with ambition and Anglophilia.
His daughter Kathleen ran off with a marquis; he resigned in disgrace, after Pearl Harbor, having rashly told a newspaper that Hitler might win the war and that this "might not be such a bad thing".His daughter Kathleen ran off with a marquis; he resigned in disgrace, after Pearl Harbor, having rashly told a newspaper that Hitler might win the war and that this "might not be such a bad thing".
Ambassador Susman will not make this kind of gaffe. He is a seasoned corporate lawyer with a political junkie wife.Ambassador Susman will not make this kind of gaffe. He is a seasoned corporate lawyer with a political junkie wife.
Besides, they ride in on a cloud of goodwill: after the President's visit in April, we are all Obama-ites now.Besides, they ride in on a cloud of goodwill: after the President's visit in April, we are all Obama-ites now.
Anyway, in our secret hearts, we are always rather pro-America. Didn't we start the place?Anyway, in our secret hearts, we are always rather pro-America. Didn't we start the place?
So it is a plum job with some prickly bits, but I am sure Ambassador Susman will soon become the toast of the town.So it is a plum job with some prickly bits, but I am sure Ambassador Susman will soon become the toast of the town.
The new ambassador will live in Winfield HouseThe new ambassador will live in Winfield House
Back home, he is known as "the big bundler" or the "vacuum cleaner" which I take to be a compliment - or at least a tribute to his money-making skills.Back home, he is known as "the big bundler" or the "vacuum cleaner" which I take to be a compliment - or at least a tribute to his money-making skills.
Let us hope he has the fund-raiser's appetite for schmoozing the client. But please do not ask us for money: we are broke. And remember that we have gone bust before supporting the United States, so no change there.Let us hope he has the fund-raiser's appetite for schmoozing the client. But please do not ask us for money: we are broke. And remember that we have gone bust before supporting the United States, so no change there.
In the department of client relations there are just three things you might think of doing, as you lay out your white tie and tails for the Court of St James.In the department of client relations there are just three things you might think of doing, as you lay out your white tie and tails for the Court of St James.
One. Celebrate the pursuit of happiness. You have a nice house in London with loads of staff, so let's live a little, Louis! The ambassadors who have done well here were all social animals. May I remind you of the H. L. Mencken dictum that the Martini cocktail is the only American invention as perfect as the Martini cocktail. One. Celebrate the pursuit of happiness. You have a nice house in London with loads of staff, so let's live a little, Louis! The ambassadors who have done well here were all social animals. May I remind you of the H. L. Mencken dictum that the martini cocktail is the only American invention as perfect as the sonnet?
Two. Follow your boss and refer discreetly (but with a straight face) to the "special relationship". There really is no such thing, but Britons love the fantasy of playing Athens to your Rome.Two. Follow your boss and refer discreetly (but with a straight face) to the "special relationship". There really is no such thing, but Britons love the fantasy of playing Athens to your Rome.
Three. Take an interest in our national game. You are a baseball fan so you can skip the cricket. Anyway, by the time the Ashes come again you will be enjoying your retirement, so why not go to the "soccer". If David Beckham is in town, he can explain the offside rule.Three. Take an interest in our national game. You are a baseball fan so you can skip the cricket. Anyway, by the time the Ashes come again you will be enjoying your retirement, so why not go to the "soccer". If David Beckham is in town, he can explain the offside rule.
And brush up your Shakespeare. The Globe is just across the river.And brush up your Shakespeare. The Globe is just across the river.
There is a wonderful Anglo-American company playing "The Winter's Tale" at the Old Vic. Your friend Kevin is in charge there. He will have a few useful tips.There is a wonderful Anglo-American company playing "The Winter's Tale" at the Old Vic. Your friend Kevin is in charge there. He will have a few useful tips.
And do not - whatever you do - do not touch the Queen.And do not - whatever you do - do not touch the Queen.
Do not even think about it.Do not even think about it.
Your boss got away with it. But you are a white, seventy-one-year-old lawyer from Chicago, "the Big Bundler".Your boss got away with it. But you are a white, seventy-one-year-old lawyer from Chicago, "the Big Bundler".
Welcome to our shores, Mr Ambassador.Welcome to our shores, Mr Ambassador.