Recess appointment abuse (Barfer)

Los Angeles Times ^ | April 10, 2007 | Editorial

[jazusamo]

IN ELEMENTARY school, recess is a time for fun and games. The same is true, unfortunately, in the nation's capital. President Bush last week took advantage of a Senate recess to appoint three controversial figures to positions — including a major ambassadorship — that ordinarily require confirmation.

In the spirit of the playground, Vice President Dick Cheney yukked it up with talk show host Rush Limbaugh about how the administration had gone around the Democratic-controlled Senate, which returned this week. "You go on vacation, this is what happens to you," joked Limbaugh. "If you're a Democrat," Cheney replied.

Sam Fox, the new ambassador to Belgium, is a businessman and GOP fundraiser who contributed $50,000 to the mendacious Swift Boat Veterans and POWs for Truth advertising effort against 2004 Democratic presidential nominee Sen. John F. Kerry (D-Mass). Andrew G. Biggs, named deputy commissioner of the Social Security Administration, is a proponent of private retirement accounts. Susan E. Dudley, appointed administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs at the White House Office of Management and Budget, generally advocates for less regulation.

[jazusamo]

It seems the Dems childish antics that began in January, 2001 are coming back to haunt them and they don't like it, nor does the liberal media that supported those Dem shenanigans.

[Rep-for-real]

The end of the editorial: "That hasn't stopped presidents from both parties from resorting to this gimmick to get around the Senate. But this administration seems to take a schoolboy pleasure in thumbing its nose at the Senate. It should grow up."

But the "schoolboy pleasure" Congress takes continues, and we won't hear any calls for them to grow up, now will we?

[sgtbono2002]

So its ok for the Democrat Senate to play their little games and hold up appointments,but it isnt fair for Mr. Bush to play his trump card.

Screw them. Cry baby buttwipes.

[Maelstorm]

A liberal telling someone to grow up? What is it with the “spirit” crap concerning the law? Either it is legal or it isn’t, either the President has the power or not. Someone should beat the living “spirit” out of the weasel democrats.

[Miss Didi]

The whining continues...the Drive Bys just can’t get over the VP appearing on Rush’s show.

[pissant]

Did you here that Swiftee John O’Neill is supporting Duncan Hunter?

[ladtx]

IN ELEMENTARY school, recess is a time for fun and games..... President Bush last week took advantage of a Senate recess...

I quit going to recess when I started working for a living, maybe this yokel and his buddies should do the same.

[jazusamo]

Yes, I did and that’s great news. That’s going to help Hunter.

[Domandred]

And Pelosi usurps Constitutional powers and very few voices are heard about it, none with any power to do anything.

[A message]

controversial

three

ordinarily require confirmation.

In case anyone missed the key elements of the editorial.

Translation: Whaaaaa

[Stultis]

I agree. This is OUTRAGEOUS! Why ONLY THREE recess appointments?! Bush shoulda appointed EVERYONE the Dim Senate has illegitimately obstructed. How many is that, anyway? Dozens? Hundreds?

[pissant]

It won’t hurt. Just talked to the Wash. State DH campaign coordinator yesterday. Will try to get a gaggle of WA freepers to meet with him soon and share ideas.

[jazusamo]

Good point, I agree. It’s easily dozens and many were fully qualified judicial nominees.

[cardinal4]

Dems hate it when their own tactics are used against them..

[xzins]

from resorting to this gimmick to get around the Senate

Not a gimmick. It's clearly spelled out in the US Constitution.

[Niteranger68]

That hasn't stopped presidents from both parties from resorting to this gimmick to get around the Senate

How about the "gimmick" that keeps the president from jailing those who don't agree with him?

[goldstategop]

Reading the riot act to the Los Angeles Times liberals: If the Senate had confirmed the President's nominations, he would not have to resort to recess appointments. Its a perfectly constitutional procedure to fill executive branch vacancies while Congress is not in session. The Democrats want to hold up the business of government as part of their political vendetta against the President. The President needs qualified people in place to help him do his job. That's the long and the short of it.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[CharlesWayneCT]

The recess appointment process is one of the tools the President has to keep the Senate from using their advise and consent powers capriciously.

[jimfree]

Three words: “Bill Lan Lee” - Clinton didn’t wait for a recess appointment but made him Acting Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights. An ambassador to one of the BENELUX countries can’t quite do so much damage as a senior Justice Deparatment official can.

[CheyennePress]

>>A liberal telling someone to grow up? <<

And what a way to end an artilce, right? Are they kidding? This is just horrible writing on display at the LA Times. No references to how those have behaved in the past. Nothing. I seriously doubt the author has any frame of reference at all to base his accusations upon. They just plop this on your lap and end the editorial.

Really, it’s just another boring Bush hater—or even worse, a Cheney-envier (and that’s what it is with Cheney—an absense of conviction thoroughly covetous and bile-ish over someone who does).

And further, since when did the ambassadorship to Belgium become high profile? I’d eat my hat if this writer could name a single previous Ambassador to Belgium, and no doubt he’s been researching this topic.

[William Tell]

The article seems to gloss over the point that the Senate only had to consider these three candidates and vote NOT to confirm and that would have been the end of it. The Senate is obligated to consider the candidates nominated by the president. Our Founders were wise enough to realize that the President should be able to act if a majority of Senators choose to violate their oaths to preserve the Constitution.

[GeorgefromGeorgia]

It is all politics. Every President used the recess appointment.

[Howlin]

During Bill Clinton’s 8 years in the White House he made 140 recess appointments.

[Howlin]

 RECESS APPOINTMENTS, BY ADMINISTRATION

Ronald Reagan	243
Harry Truman	195
Dwight Eisenhower	193
George W. Bush	165
Bill Clinton	140
Franklin Roosevelt	89
George H. W. Bush	77
Jimmy Carter	68
John Kennedy	53
Richard Nixon	41
Lyndon Johnson	36
Gerald Ford	12

Source: U.S. Senate Historian's Office

[<1/1,000,000th%]

“Only Democrats can use recess appointments.”

[buckeye27]

unbelievable...

There's new legislation out its called the Constitution...

Quoting said new legislation...

"The President shall have power to fill up all vacancies that may happen during the recess of the Senate, by granting commissions which shall expire at the end of their next session.

Yes. Abusing.

[jazusamo]

President Bush pulled his nomination the day before the committe was going to vote on Sam Fox.

I don’t know the whole story on this but I suspect the president did it because Kerry and other Dems on the committee made a huge political thing out of his nomination because Fox dared to donate money to the Swifties, which should have had nothing to do with his confirmation.

I suspect President Bush was fed up with the lot of them and pulled the nomination just so he could make this recess appointment and I say good for him if he did.

[Paperdoll]

>... Just talked to the Wash. State DH campaign coordinator yesterday. Will try to get a gaggle of WA freepers tomeet with him soon and share ideas.<

Pissant covers the No. part of the state, and all DH Freepers who reside in that area should personal reply Pissant. The Pacific NW coordinator, (same man), is coming to meet with me today in organizing the Southwestern part of Wa. state. Any DH Freepers who live in this area, please contact me visa personal reply. GO DUNCAN HUNTER! We are off and running!

[pissant]

Well, he better be a beer drinker if he’s gonna get along with us freepers. ;o)

[Maelstorm]

They don't even try to hide their bias anymore. The fact that they are out of sorts over a stupid ambassadorship certainly illustrates how perfectly they hate the Bush admin. It also illustrates that Cheney is doing what the whole administration should be doing. Standing strong and hitting back. Liberals can't take getting their due. The left has succeeded in taking what was 70% support for the War on Terror and convincing people it is a lost cause. That is shameful.

[M Kehoe]

Was this article written when i42 made all of his recess appointments?

No? I didn't think so.

5.56mm