Recess appointments
President Obama is complaining because the minority party is holding up 200 of his judicial appointments.
That is true. Â What is also true is some Senators are publicly complaining about the practice:
Well, actually, that’s what Ted Kennedy said in 2005 when Bush did what Obama’s threatening to do now. Â Another Democrat who had an opinion:
“The president has the right to make this recess appointment, but it’s the wrong decision. It only diminishes John Bolton’s validity and leverage to secure America’s goals at the U.N. John Bolton has been rejected twice by the Senate to serve as our Ambassador to the United Nations. This is not the way to fill our most important diplomatic jobs.”
Well, that was John Kerry complaining about Bush too. Â Let me look a little further:
It’s an unnecessary result, and the latest abuse of power by the Bush White House. ..
Harry Reid
“It’s sad that even while the president preaches democracy around the world, he bends the rules and circumvents the will of Congress in appointing our representative to the United Nations.”
Frank R. Lautenberg.
On and on it goes. Â The Democrats were totally appalled at the gall of Bush making a recess appointment. Â Now, the Democrats are totally appalled that the Republicans have somehow figured out how to do exactly what they were doing four years ago.
Here’s a way to put an end to this abuse.
- During the recess, Obama needs to appoint every single one of the 200.
- During the next recess, Obama needs to appoint every single one of them.
- During the recess after that, Obama needs to appoint every single one of them.
Once the tactic becomes moot, so will all of the unnecessary drama. Â There’s no point in Obama whining about it like a little kid. Â It just makes him look petty and weak. Â He is the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Â Someone needs to remind him of that sometime.
And quite frankly, if his slate of nominees are anything like his choice of White House staff, it would do him more harm than good if he did get them appointed. Â Republicans shining the spotlight on them then would mean a lot more to the general public.
