Bush Bypasses Dems to Name Ambassador
President Bush named Republican fundraiser Sam Fox as U.S. ambassador to Belgium on Wednesday, using a maneuver that allowed him to bypass Congress where Democrats had derailed Fox's nomination.Bush continues to act as if he is the king with no accountability to Congress or the American People. The only solution is no remove him from office as soon as possible. He can still do a great deal of damage to the United States and the World in the 22 months he has left.
Democrats had denounced Fox for his 2004 donation to the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth. The group's TV ads, which claimed that Sen. John Kerry exaggerated his military record in Vietnam, were viewed as a major factor in the Massachusetts Democrat losing the election.
Recognizing Fox did not have the votes to obtain Senate confirmation, Bush withdrew the nomination last month. On Wednesday, with Congress out of town for a spring break, the president used his power to make recess appointments to put Fox in the job without Senate confirmation.
This means Fox can remain ambassador until the end of the next session of Congress, effectively through the end of the Bush presidency.
Update
The wingers are quick to remind us that these appointments are legal. They of course are correct. I think there is little question that this is a violation of the spirit of the law in an attempt to bypass the congressional right and responsibility of advice and consent. When Article II, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution was written congress was not in session for months at a time and there was a need to fill vacancies in a timely manner. Using it when congress is going to be recessed for two weeks is an attempt to avoid accountability, something this administration has done for six years. Violating the spirit of the law can be just as serious as breaking the law. It's time for King George to go. That's why this country came into being in the first place.
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