December 22, 2006
JUST KEEPS WINNING:
Bush slips public-TV board member by Senate (Matea Gold, 12/22/06, Los Angeles Times)
President Bush quietly appointed television sitcom producer Warren Bell to the board of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting this week, overriding opposition from public-broadcasting advocates who fear the outspoken conservative will politicize the post.Posted by Orrin Judd at December 22, 2006 7:52 AMBell's nomination had been stalled since September because of concerns about his qualifications among several members of the Senate Commerce Committee, which must approve nominees to the board of the CPB, the private nonprofit that distributes federal money to public television and radio stations.
But Bush was able to circumvent the need for Senate approval by naming Bell to the board Wednesday evening as a recess appointee. His term will last about a year, unless a permanent nominee is confirmed before then.
"There had not been action in the Senate on his nomination," White House spokesman Tony Fratto said. "The president felt the need to get it done."
Strange kind of winning. The recess appointee doesn't get a salary and loses his position when Bush's presidency ends. A confirmed appointee has an extended term that lasts well into the next presidency. The next president will get to appoint the whole board (if the next president is a Democrat).
Posted by: pj at December 22, 2006 12:05 PMpj, there's very little chance anybody we like could or would get confirmed.
Posted by: erp at December 22, 2006 12:49 PMLet McCain appoint his own with a Senate majority.
Posted by: oj at December 22, 2006 1:40 PM