The complaint that Treasury can't get anything done because they can't get the place staffed has died down some, but this Washington Post article resurrects it. The longer this goes on, the more bite it has--in March, there was some excuse, but by June, you should probably have at least nominated someone to be undersecretary for domestic finance.
One thing I haven't seen talked about much is the apparent problem with financial nominees who have substantial assets. Now is not a great time to liquidate a frozen position in order to put the assets into a blind trust. Combine that with the quasi-interrogations associated with today's newer, tougher, nominating process, and it's pretty hard to convince people to take the plunge.
That's hardly Geithner's fault. But knowing he can't do much doesn't make us any better prepared to handle the current problems.
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This, of course, assumes that "doing something" is a good thing.
Good point. Most of it depends upon the leader's style, and in this case he has none.
If he was the kind of leader who asked for learned advice, weighed that advice, but then made informed decisions he'd definitely want these slots filled. Like the BEA, NSA, CIA and the JCOS there are a few advisory groups that a wise president is going to listen to. Treasury is one of those.
The fact that Obama has taken us down the path we are on with nobody but Tim Geithner to give him actual advice shows what kind of a leader he is.
"Combine that with the quasi-interrogations associated with today's newer, tougher, nominating process, and it's pretty hard to convince people to take the plunge."
When did these changes take place? Bush never seemed to have any problems getting these slots filled.
Then again, Bush knew how to run a business and a state government. Bush had experience, unlike the empty suit running things today. This is precisely what everyone was harping over when we said "Obama has no experience."
It shows time and time again, including in his insane fiscal policies.
In the face of the worst economy since the Great Depression, Chauncey hasn't even hired Lieutenants at TREASURY - SEVEN MONTHS AFTER HE WAS ELECTED. And yet he feels perfectly comfortable floating the largest peacetime federal deficit in US history. What a complete fool.
But he sure is handsome, isn't he? And he "talks real good" as long as he's reading what he's supposed to say.
Total empty suit. 100%
Wouldn't it be the administrations fault? Is blaming someone else going to be the constant theme?
Gun control misunderstanding? Oh no that was just a staffer of mine that filled out the form wrong.
Excessive spending? That's just me spending like crazy to correct Bush's mistakes from merely overspending.
Empty positions? That's just the fault of a nit picky congress.
The one thing the President is supposed to do is actually fill the positions of the executive brand. Not complain that he can't get it done for whatever reason.
But actually if he wants to slash the number of positions available at various agencies in the executive branch I'd be all for it.
He has, OTOH, appointed two new commissioners for the CPSIA.
The nomination process is a painful slog, but it's not like people have been rejected for these positions. It would be one thing if there were candidates waiting to be confirmed by the Senate, too. Instead we have a simple lack of nominations themselves, so the Congressional answer doesn't really satisfy me.
Someone can correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t the usual way of doing something is for someone to continue doing those jobs (i.e. holdovers from the previous administration or their deputies) on an interim basis until the new President has either (a) gotten them stay on “permanently” or (b) names someone else to fill the job “permanently”?
I don't know if that's how it's been done in the past, but it's definitely not the case at Treasury. Those slots are open.
And it's not just Treasury. Unless she just named a director, the CDC has had an "Acting Director" since Obama took office. If Swine Flu had been serious Obama would have been dealing with a total stranger.
I'm guessing the guy is competent, but one of the key reasons we want a POTUS to select a cabinet is to accelerate how soon they are surrounded by people they know and trust. It's for the good of the country.
Do they still teach this "Constitution" thing at Harvard Law? Was he awake during those discussions?
However, he has nominated two new members of the National Labor Relations Board. Labor is, you see, important.
Except the Republicans(with the help of DINO's Evan Bayh and Ben Nelson) are throwing road blocks up as far as that goes. I believe he just nominated a CDC director the other day(the guy from NYC). Don't let the Senate off in their role in confirmation of Obama's appointments. I know you think it should be a breeze since the Democrats have 59 in the Senate but you should be reminded of Will Rogers' words.