• I simply cannot allow partisan politics to stand in the way of the basic functioning of government.
• President Barack Obama • Regarding the recess appointments that he pushed through today. The appointments are only temporary – they can only serve through the end of 2011. But he was at the point where he needed to do something, due to the immense amount of gridlock in the Senate right now. 217 of his nominees are currently waiting for confirmation, 34 of them over six months. The Republicans fought against this, but it’s not exactly an uncommon thing he’s doing – George W. Bush also had 15 recess appointments at this point of his presidency. At the end of their eight-year terms, both Bush and his wipe buddy Bill Clinton had over 130 each – Bush more than Clinton. source

Posted by Ernie Smith • Permalink