Most media reports will attempt to portray this as yet another pro-gay example being exemplified by the Obama White House. Dig just a bit deeper into the details though, and you reveal yet another pay to play scheme that shows how the Obama machine has always operated since day one, using taxpayer dollars to reward those they deem worthy.
The home in question is that of Michael Smith and James Costos. Smith was given the job of redecorating the White House Oval Office shortly after the Obamas moved in, in 2009. That job was a reward for Smiths considerable fundraising efforts, namely among the well to do gay community in and around Hollywood.
Perhaps the lesser known name though is that of Smiths partner, James Costos. Costos is a former HBO executive who, like Smith, was very active in fundraising for the Obama campaign. Smith then left his high paying post at HBO to accept an offer by the Obama White House to be the U.S. ambassador to Spain. In fact, Costos was one of three big dollar Hollywood fundraisers to be given ambassador positions around the world. Now do you think such people would be accepting these positions out of charity? No they are living lavishly, off of taxpayer dollars, like royalty abroad as a re-payment of their considerable fundraising services.