After you’ve built one of the most successful investment banking institutions in America, served as the California Republican Party’s Finance Chairman, set up charities supporting private and charter schools and maintains an excellent long term marriage to Kathy his first bride, what then?
Well, President Bush appointed Frank Baxter to serve as American’s Ambassador to the "Switzerland of South America". Uruguay is not quite Switzerland, it’s run by moderate socialists. Naturally, Michelle and I wanted to see Frank and Kathy next time we were in the area.
So we [Pub Note: "we" is Shawn and his wife, Michelle, a member of the State Board of Equalization] found ourselves in the area last week. Frank set up dinner for us with leaders of 4 
political parties. We even had an interpreter when discussing California politics. The current government is composed of a left of center regime, but they are not violently anti American. Frank can take some credit. President Bush visited Uruguay recently, with an extremely rare visit to that country. Next door, across the Rio De La Plato [the Spanish were hoping for a lot of silver] fascist Chavez held a rally in Buenos Aires, to oppose Bush’s visit. The Uruguayans were not amused.
When Frank does his running each morning his body guard has to ride a bicycle to keep up. The Uruguayan President announced on the night of the dinner party he would not seek to change the Constitution to break his Term Limits of one 5 year term. Presently, the New Chavez Fascists are quickly changing the rules throughout South America, for a new era of long time Fidelista dictatorships. But don’t expect democrats or Michael Moore to much more than regale their natural comrades.
Frank and Kathy do live well, but it’s constant work. They are committed for several events each day of the week. One big reason Baxter is successful, is that, more than his reputation as a successful capitalist, he is a friend of W.
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