Politico reports,

He recently penned an op-ed in the New York Times, defending Obama’s polices in Israel and announcing his full support for the president. He also visited the White House at least twice, meeting with President Obama and then-chief of staff Bill Daley. After a December 2011 meeting, he told the Hollywood Reporter that his conversation with Obama helped change his mind and that it was “time to get active again” in politics.

In Democratic circles, he’s largely been seen as a possible counterweight to big-money Republican donors like Sheldon Adelson and the Koch brothers.

Administration officials point to Cheryl Saban’s qualifications for the position, including nonprofit work with 50 Ways to Save Our Children, CARE USA, Children’s Network International, Mercy Corps, and Plan USA — as well as a long record of philanthropy and public advocacy.