Comments on: The truly amusing thing about the Obama vetting process.

By: bk

bk — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 13:23:32 +0000

maybe he’ll have a better shot now at getting an NEA grant as he expands his sales office from the governor’s mansion in Topeka to the new resident in Washington.

Unbelievable.

By: Moe Lane

Moe Lane — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 13:09:45 +0000

…if one of the vacancies wasn’t Ambassador to Iraq.

Which is one slot that we do need filled. As in, yesterday.

By: GreyCloak

GreyCloak — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 07:32:59 +0000

From your cite:

… planning is being done by aides, temporary helpers, and career staff.

Who do you think does the actual work? The same aides, temps, and career employees that have always been there!

Appointees are there only to take the blame if something goes wrong … few do much … but their salaries add up to many $millions, and are used to reward the politically faithful.

The Federal government is a stronghold of patronage … much as Chicago has employees that “work” from 10 to 4, the President gets to appoint all sorts of “senior officers” and (incidentally) over 100 US Attorneys. Clinton replaced all of them; Bush was castigated for dumping eight, and Obama can replace all of them again (excepting maybe Patrick Fitzgerald).

I had the unfortunate experience of interviewing one of Reagan’s appointees … a Director of Social Security. He was a nice guy … my topic involved a paltry $37 billion question related to overpayments and debts owed the system. Many aides and career employees were trying to solve the problem … the appointee said something to the effect of “keep up the good work” … as he conducted the interview while reclined on his couch.

Appointees are needed to sign important regulations and policies, but “Acting” senior officers can do the same … they just don’t want to take the blame, or defend themselves to Congress or the media.

At least Sebelius had some experience in Insurance … Daschle’s accomplishments were related mostly to Indian Affairs, Nutrition, and Forestry!

By: 6eorge Jetson

6eorge Jetson — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 04:24:04 +0000

By: phxg

phxg — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 02:53:44 +0000

I was under the impression there was a hat with peoples names in it.

By: nivlem

nivlem — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 02:49:32 +0000

Can’t we play them like they play us?? Earlier I posted that we delay, delay, delay…..meaning the house and senate……
Isn”t this another too for delay….they cannot staff until appointed, so why
give them the authority????
Slow it down…..delay…….give the public the information they need to make a
decison.
That is where the Republicans can maike a difference…

By: Alone_in_the_Dotte

Alone_in_the_Dotte — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 02:36:17 +0000

I seem to be link-challenged tonight. Google “Sebelius Kansas Drop The Soap”

I wonder if the vetting team has seen this. Or cares.