Bush Appoints Political Backer To Ambassadorship

• April 5, 2007

My first reaction to this (aside from “Who is Sam Fox again?”) was…meh. Who cares? I mean, it’s Ambassador to Belgium. A government position that’s almost as powerful and influential as White House janitor.
It would actually be more desirable than Congressional janitor if you didn’t have to, you know, live in Belgium.
But the left will go nuts over this. Mostly because Fox gave some money to the Swift Boat Vets, and because Bush didn’t subject the poor guy to a week or so of pedantic Democrat demagoguing, allowing those shallow twits to squeeze all the political juice out of procedure they could, before appointing him to the position anyway. But none of that will matter. The message the public will get from the media is that Bush did this guy a political favor in exchange for his funding the Swift Boat “attacks” on Kerry.
Which is exactly the message the Dems want the media to send. Funny how that works, isn’t it?
Regardless, what a dumb move by Bush. As though he needed more bad press right now. He should have avoided this. But, then again, I guess he’s probably saying to himself that his press couldn’t get much worse anyway. May as well fling a pie or two in their collective faces while he still can.

Tags: Domestic Issues, Media, Politics

http://ndgoon.blogspot.com/ goon

Not illegal, just unethical to withdraw him to avoid Senate confirmation and than make a recess appoinment.

One thing we have learned already is the Democrats should lecture the Republicans about ethics. The Dems are the kings of ethical violations. Dan Rankowski of IL, Barrack Hussein Obama and his questionable house deal, Harry Reid and his bridge to somewhere, the guy with 90,000 in his freezer (I can’t remember his name now).
Bat One

Hawk,

As I alluded above, your thoughts on recess appointments track those of a number of conservatives when Dr. Bill Lan Lee, defender of quotas and racial preferences, was given a much disapproved recess appointment during the Clinton era.

Neither the carping by our side then, nor yours now, have any constitutional foundation.
http://www.bikebubba.blogspot.com/ Robert Perry

Belgium’s a wonderful country with lots of fried foods and beers that would make a German envious. Not a bad deal for the guy.

And the legality? Sorry, Congress went into recess without doing even a hearing. Democrats can pound sand on this one, as it’s fully legal and ethical.
http://SayAnythingBlog.com The_Whistler_ofnd

Though I think recess appointments should only be allowed in cases where planning wasn’t possible such as death or disability and only in mission critical positions.

And you’ll show proof that you held this thought back during the previous administration?
Hawk

Not illegal, just unethical to withdraw him to avoid Senate confirmation and than make a recess appoinment.
Seth Yantiss

Which is exactly the message the Dems want the media to send.

The media would only find something else to rail Bush on…

“He eats his wheaties with his LEFT hand….”
Bat One

Rob,

As I noted previously here,the Democrats who forced the White House to withdraw the Fox nomination because of Mr. Fox’s partisan political donations, are the very ones who have excoriated the Bush administration for the partisan political manner in which it chose it’s political appointees… the US Attorneys.
http://SayAnythingBlog.com The_Whistler_ofnd

Of course the fact that this guy did a perfectly legal act should in no way disqualify him from being ambassador.

On the other hand Kerry’s behavior is inappropriate, but I guess we should be happy he showed up for a committee meeting.
Hawk

The unethical part is to withdraw his nomination only to use a recess appointment the next week.

Though I think recess appointments should only be allowed in cases where planning wasn’t possible such as death or disability and only in mission critical positions.
hawk

Neither the carping by our side then, nor yours now, have any constitutional foundation.

Not without an amendment, but I would support it.
Bat One

Hawk,

Relax! President Bush’ recess appointment of Sam Fox to be US Ambassador to Belgium is no more illegal than those of Judge Bill Pryor, Ambassador John Bolton, or under-Secretary Bill Lan Lee.
http://ndgoon.blogspot.com/ goon

I thought this was a great move by Bush a real thumb in the eye of Lurch.
Hawk

because Bush didn’t subject the poor guy to a week or so of pedantic Democrat demagoguing, allowing those shallow twits to squeeze all the political juice out of procedure they could, before appointing him to the position anyway. But none of that will matter.

By that you mean the law?
Bat One

Whistler,

Actually, I think that may have been Mr. Bush’s intention all along. After all, he knew perfectly well that in the face of Democratic opposition he was going to recess appoint Mr. Fox to be ambassador to his family’s homeland anyway. So why not have some fun by forcing Kerry to actually show up for the committee hearing. After all, how could the Dems on the committee disapprove of Fox’s “partisan” contributions to the Swifties if Kerry pulled his usual no-show routine?

(I think I read that while Mr. Bush was at Harvard for his 3 year MBA stint, he was generally regarded as one of the top 3 poker players. Believe it!)
http://www.sayanythingblog.com/ electnixon

If recess appointments are unethical, then filibusters most certainly are. Where was Hawk when Kennedy was leading filibusters of other appointees?
Bat One

Hawk,

Even “unethical” sounds a bit harsh under the circumstances. After all, if the Congress wasn’t going to delay their recess and stay in session to complete a war funding bill, they certainly weren’t about to do so over the appointment of an ambassador to Belgium.
http://sayanythingblog.com/readers/author/sparkiearbuckle sayanything-81

Belgium’s…wonderful…with lots of fried foods…

French fries with a half pound of mayo on top. Delish!

SayAnythingBlog.com

Bush Appoints Political Backer To Ambassadorship

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