ACKLIE  (CONT)

contributions and fund raising do equal access and jobs."

"There's a lot of lobbying for these jobs," Noble said.

For decades, presidents have rewarded some of their biggest supporters with coveted diplomatic jobs. Former President Clinton picked five $100,000-plus Democratic donors to be ambassadors in his first year in office. At least two dozen of Bush's 2000 "pioneers" -- $100,000-plus fund-raisers -- or their spouses won ambassadorships.

Oliver was Bush's fund-raising chief in 2000, overseeing the pioneers before moving over in 2001 to oversee the Republican National Committee's fund raising.

"RNC officials do not play a role in presidential appointment decisions," RNC spokeswoman Tracey Schmitt said, declining to further address Oliver's dealings with Acklie.

Two years after his futile quest for an ambassadorship, Acklie established himself as a top moneyman for Bush's re-election effort.

Acklie helped organize a $400,000 Omaha fund-raiser headlined by Vice President Dick Cheney in July 2003 and was on his way to becoming a "ranger," an honorary campaign title bestowed on those who raised $200,000 or more for Bush. Last year, Acklie also became a "super ranger," raising at least $300,000 for the RNC.

A week after the Omaha event, Bush nominated Acklie to the Student Loan Marketing Association's board of directors as its designated chairman. Acklie lost the post when the board was dissolved late last year.

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