There he goes again

President Bush once again did a Texas two-step around the Constitution and circumvented the Senate's "advise and consent" role by making yet another raft of recess appointments while Congress is out for the holidays. There were a number of unsavory, crony choices in this lot, but at the head of the pack was probably Julie Myers.

President Bush yesterday made a raft of controversial recess appointments, including Julie L. Myers to head the Immigration and Customs Enforcement bureau at the Department of Homeland Security, in a maneuver circumventing the need for approval by the Senate.

Myers, a niece of former Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman Richard B. Myers and the wife of the chief of staff to Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, had been criticized by Republicans and Democrats who charged that she lacked experience in immigration matters.

Aww, it's just a little thing like immigration and protecting our borders. Now people are going to make a big deal out of the fact that she has no experience in immigration. You people are so critical! I'm sure she'll do a "heck of a job."

Another prime choice was Robert Lenhard. He gets a nice, cushy spot on the Federal Election Commission, even though he has argued against campaign finance reform. Sweet!

A Democratic vacancy will be filled by union lawyer Robert D. Lenhard. He has provoked opposition because of his participation as an attorney for the American Federation of State, Council and Municipal Employees in efforts to have the Supreme Court rule that the 2002 McCain-Feingold law is unconstitutional. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) indicated that he would fight the Lenhard nomination when Democratic leaders first announced it in 2003.

Now Bush is appointing people who are despised by both Democrats and Republicans alike. Ron asks this question quite often, but it bears repeating. Is this hubris, stupidity, or bold faced incompetence?