A $136,000 Link (Cleland is a Bush Appointee)

NRO ^ | August 25, 2004 | Rich Lowry

[neverdem]

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August 25, 2004, 4:21 p.m.

A $136,000 Link
Max Cleland, Bush political appointee.

Max Cleland, who made a staged appearance at the Bush ranch Wednesday, was appointed by President George W. Bush to the board of directors of the Export-Import Bank in 2003. The same Max Cleland who is spending nearly all of his time attacking President Bush is, amazingly enough, a Bush political appointee.

According to a bank spokesman, Cleland makes $136,000 a year off this very cushy job. A couple of questions come to mind here: If Cleland had any decency, wouldn't he resign? Why would he accept a political appointment from a man he so loathes and thinks represents the very worst in American politics? Max Cleland's extremely partisan activities are being subsidized by the American taxpayer.

But, wait, it gets more sinister. There is now a definitive link between President Bush and the attacks against him. This link is as direct as most of the links that have been highlighted between Bush and the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth: Bush gave a $136,000 job to one of his attackers and a key member of Kerry's "band of brothers." By the logic of most of the press corps, this means George W. Bush must be responsible for the activities of Kerry campaign's band of brothers (see this chart). Who knows what deep game is being played here, but somebody should call the New York Times.

The bank's bipartisan board has five members, no more than three of whom can be from one political party. The board is responsible for the policymaking and decision-making of the bank. There are no time or attendance requirements that go with the job, and no attendance records are kept. A spokesman tells NRO that the board meets, on average, once a week, and that Cleland, nominated and confirmed in late 2003, has been voting at meetings. But he notes that board members can participate by phone. (I did say very cushy, didn't I?)

Board members are subject to the provisions of the Hatch Act that restricts the activities of federal employees. But since they are presidentially appointed and Senate-confirmed, the restrictions on them are much lighter, and Cleland's political activities are presumably legal. That doesn't make it any more seemly. The bank spokesman says that there are no time requirements on board members. "Presidential appointees confirmed by the Senate are considered to be always on the job," he says. "They don't have 9-5 assignments. They don't have to work eight-hour days. While they are a presidential appointee confirmed by the Senate, they are always a presidential appointee confirmed by the Senate." Even when they are attacking the president?

The Export-Import Bank, which helps U.S. corporations in its overseas business, is often cited as an example of the kind of "corporate welfare" that John Kerry has occasionally railed against. That apparently doesn't matter to Max Cleland. He's happy to get on the gravy train, and trash the president who put him there.

 

	http://www.nationalreview.com/lowry/lowry200408251621.asp

[antivenom]

Goes to show that Dems are the Perpetual party of "you owe me something"...

[RockinRight]

Cleland's a backstabbing scum-sucker who freeloads off W? No surprise there?

[TomServo]

bttt...

[antivenom]

Then again I believe OLD Max is minus three limbs because of a POOR decision...well maybe we are to watch him play that out again...the "don't bite the hand that feeds ya"...

[NavySEAL F-16]

Now, who's the better man?

[chainsaw]

If Cleland doesn't like his job, I'll take it for less money. What an ungrateful SOB.

[Southack]

Gee, now tell me again why ABC, CBS, NBC, NPR, CNN, and the NY Times neglected to tell me that Cleland is stabbing President Bush in the back...

5 Legislative Days Left Until The AWB Expires

[lonevoice]

I just heard Hannity report this too. It's hard to imagine this getting any stranger, but I believe it will. Okay, how does a presidential appointment work as far as one being relieved of his position? If President Bush can't remove Cleland's appointment, can he ask him (publicly) to resign due to conflict of interests?

[kittymyrib]

No, Cleland free-loads off the good old US taxpayer, like most DC pond-scum.

[Mike Bates]

Is this why Republicans are considered "the stupid party"?

Michael M. Bates: My Side of the Swamp

[demlosers]

He should now resign. Ooooh the Dim hypocrisy knows no bounds.

[artemis webb II]

bump

[hattend]

According to a bank spokesman, Cleland makes $136,000 a year off this very cushy job. A couple of questions come to mind here: If Cleland had any decency, wouldn't he resign? Why would he accept a political appointment from a man he so loathes and thinks represents the very worst in American politics?

If Bush appointed him, he could un-appoint him, too.

But then it would be spun as payback.

[Blood of Tyrants]

"If Cleland had any decency, wouldn't he resign?"

If he had any decency he would have never accepted the job. Bush offered the olive branch and then Cleland took it and then spat on the offerer.

[bukkdems]

Cleland is like Aesop's "Dog in a Manger". His entire career is based on people feeling sorry for him, only to see him bite them. During his appointment as Georgia Veteran's Administration director, a phone sex tape involving him and a female employee was played for the amusement of the state legislature. Max's defense was to trash this poor woman's reputation. The front page news article in the Atlanta Constitution on 9/10/88 has been expunged from the paper's online archives (they feel sorry for him). I am hoping this notorious sexhound will go too far with Teresa someday soon.

[Nova]

For that position, they could probably get me, you, and maybe a whole Board for his salary alone.

[boop]

Did Cleland get a purple heart for his injuries in Vietnam? I've heard that he didn't; does anyone know?

[sgtbono2002]

Max probably gets a disability check for his injuries too. Not that he doesnt deserve it, and wasnt he a Senator or Congressperson gets a little retirement from that too.When you add all that together with whatever Kerry is giving him to slime the President he probably lives pretty well.

[Nova]

136,000 / 5 board members = 27,200 per member