Fundraiser has the President's ear

It would not wash in New Zealand where the identity of party "bag men" has become a point of controversy in this year's election, but Stateside it is another matter.

President George W. Bush has rewarded a second Oregonian Republican fundraiser - Bill McCormick - by announcing him as the next American ambassador to New Zealand.

McCormick is street-smart and has been around Republican circles for years.

He ran the Oregon fundraising campaign for the Bush-Cheney ticket last year and gathered more than US$100,000.

But he will have his work cut out trying to rebuild the bilateral relationship - particularly if Prime Minister Helen Clark is re-elected - given Labour's cynical claim that Washington is pulling National's strings in this year's election.

Washington wants to have a "dialogue" with whoever leads the next Government - Helen Clark or National's Don Brash - to try to move on from the Anzus defence row and form a new security relationship.

But Helen Clark has signalled the nuclear issue will remain a major element in her campaign to paint National as overly compliant with Washington's wishes.

Given the complexities, it may present a tall order for a man who is not a career ambassador.

But Mr McCormick at least has President Bush's ear.