Bush announces new appointments for 24 aides and supporters
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/12/19/art.bushbailout.gi.jpg caption=" Bush announced new appointments for two dozen aides and supporters Christmas Eve."]WASHINGTON (CNN) - Christmas came a few hours early for two dozen White House officials and supporters Wednesday, who were appointed to three- to six-year positions on government committees and councils.
The full list released by the White House – which includes Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and former Karl Rove deputy Israel Hernandez – after the jump.
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Personnel Announcement
President George W. Bush today announced his intention to appoint 24 individuals to serve in his Administration.
The President intends to appoint the following individuals to be Members of the Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations, for terms of four years:
–Carol Ann Bartz, of California;
–Maria Cino, of Virginia;
–Israel Hernandez, of Texas.
The President intends to appoint Jennifer E. Sims, of Virginia, to be a Member of the Public Interest Declassification Board for the remainder of a three-year term expiring 10/03/11.
The President intends to appoint Mark Sanford, of South Carolina, (Governor), to be a Member of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, for the remainder of a four-year term expiring 06/10/09.
The President intends to appoint the following individuals to be Members of the President's National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee:
–Kevin R. Johnson, of Washington;
–Kay Sears, of Virginia.
The President intends to appoint John M. Hart, of Maryland, to be a Member of the National Capital Planning Commission, for a six-year term beginning 01/02/09.
The President intends to appoint the following individuals to be Commissioners of the United States Section of the United States-Russia Polar Bear Commission, for an initial term of four years:
–Geoffrey L. Haskett, of Alaska, (Federal Representative);
–Charles J. Johnson, of Alaska, (Alaska Representative).
The President intends to appoint the following individuals to be Members of the Board of Trustees of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, for six-year terms expiring 10/23/14:
–Sander R. Gerber, of New York, to be Vice Chair;
–Charles E. Cobb, of Florida, (Public);
–Carlos M. Gutierrez, of Michigan;
–Barry Jackson, of Ohio.
The President intends to appoint the following individuals to be Members of the Federal Service Impasses Panel, for five-year terms expiring 01/10/14:
–Barbara Bruin, of New Mexico;
–Mark A. Carter, of West Virginia;
–Grace Flores Hughes, of Virginia.
The President intends to appoint the following individuals to be Members of the Board of Trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts:
–Nancy Goodman Brinker, of Florida, for the remainder of a six-year term expiring 09/01/14;
–Condoleezza Rice, of California, for the remainder of a six-year term expiring 09/01/14;
–Leonard Sands, of California, for the remainder of a six-year term expiring 09/01/13.
The President intends to appoint the following individuals to be Members of the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board:
–Jean Loretta Becker, of Texas, for a three-year term expiring 09/22/11;
–Gary R. Edson, of Illinois, for a three-year term 09/22/11;
–Anita B. McBride, of Connecticut, for the remainder of a three-year term expiring 09/22/11;
–James L. Oblinger, of North Carolina, for a three-year term expiring 09/22/11.
Are these PAID positions (...or just "honorary" type positions)?
Can Obama dismiss (or ask them to resign) on an individual basis?
Or perhaps he'll have to eliminate / close down the entire commission and then re-establish it with his own appointments. (Which doesn't seem to be in holding with Obama's character).
Is it just me or does Obama striking anyone else as being too "right centrist"? I was expecting {hoping} for a president a little more leftist-leaning.
BTW, THE DIXIE CHICKS HAD IT RIGHT ALL ALONG !!!
How little so many know of American history
To the gentleman who referred to President-elect Obama as The Chosen One: Yes, HE WAS CHOSEN, by the VOTERS. Merry Christmas. It's going to be a long 4 years for you but maybe you'll learn something.
This guy just disgusts me. As if the world needs any more reasons to think we're all hypocritical selfish fools. Just amazing. Yeah, Merry Christmas America, here's some more of the same.
The leeches try burrow in for the dry season
Who does he think he is? Making appointments that could last for as much as 6 years? The lame duck just keeps getting lamer and lamer. No wonder he can't sell his book rights...NOBODY cares. They just want him out of office where, hopefully, he can do no more harm. It is going to take decades to clean up the devastation the current 'leader of the free world' (what a joke) has reigned down upon this country.
Why could he just keep his mouth shut for 26 more days?
Even on Christmas, the ignornant Bush haters continue to post! ALL Presidents before leaving office make appointments to various committees etc Again, ALL Presidents do this! If you're going to hate, even on Christmas, at least know what you are talking about. It's unbelievable how totally uninformed and uneducated some of the posters on this site are. Anyway, MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Actually Mark, a president has the power to pardon and while you could argue that some past pardons have been immoral or unethical, they have not been abuses of power. Bush has abused his power repeatedly beyond the outlined authority he was given. Oh and Paul 'Wanker', the senate has been democratically run for only a short period and hate to break it to you, things were headed in a foul direction well before that, even since Reagan. The supposed 'trickle down effect' only works if the premise that the majority of people will live beyond selfishness and greed and give back to the community on their own is fulfilled. Alexis de Toqueville once pointed out that America is so successful because it doesn't require the government to solve community problems and to help the needy. This is slipping away and in the wake of Christmas, I hope everyone can find ways to become more involved so we can avoid the need for a big government all together.
Bush just proved that he is a jerk with no peers. I hope historians not only show his administration a failure, but that the man has no peers as far as arrogance, ignorance and incompetence goes. The man is an absolute moral and ethical failure. Merry Christmas, world.
how nice of Bush to take of all his henchmen while the country goes down the tubes.
Who does he think he is? Making appointments that could last for as much as 6 years? The lame duck just keeps getting lamer and lamer. No wonder he can't sell his book rights...NOBODY cares. They just want him out of office where, hopefully, he can do no more harm. It is going to take decades to clean up the devastation the current 'leader of the free world' (what a joke) has reigned down upon this country.
Why could he just keep his mouth shut for 26 more days?
MUUUUUUCH TOO EARLY TO APPRAISE OBAMA AS BEING A BETTER PREZ, WE BEARLY KNOW THE MAN.........................
re: Freenlovinit
I was free before Bush, I will be free after Bush. I owe him nothing for my freedom. What he has done, is "energize" the base of the fundamentalists enemies of the US. And those beheadings never would have happened if we didn't go to Iraq (which was the opposite direction from where Bin Laden went). With Iraq, he dug a hole, and he filled it back up as far as I'm concerned.
Paul Wanker, our country has been in decline for 8 years. The "Democrat Senate" you refer to has been in office since 2007. You can't tell me that the problems of the last 8 years started in 2007.
You voted for him. You got him. All past & present eight years worth,and baby boy "Jeb" is (florida's favorite son) coming up fast in florida's next senatorial race. You know,(well you should know by now) after two years in office he'll pull an Obama,and run for president with a populist female (being vetted as I write) well versed in todays political prose by his side,and win hands down. The "Dynasty's Trilogy", will be locked and loaded, Toot-Fini! PS. Be careful what you wish for America,...
USCommonSense: Instead of politely chastising your fellow citizens with "history lessons" try and remember... the vast majority of us voted for change. Not more of the same old dogma, masquerading as a lesson from you. Precedent is not enough to imply these appointments are right, or sound. Bush is practically retarded, and only ever seems to cause harm and catastrophe. He should probably stop actively sticking his nose in the business of the American people for the next few weeks.
and thank you Kevin Alexander for the nice Christmas message.
Yes, we do forget to embrace our differences of person and opinion.
Merry Christmas to you and yours, too!
Happy New Year, Everybody!
Are these appointments valid beyond the end of his term? I somehow don't think so...
And what will Rice's salary be for the Kennedy Center Board?
What on earth qualifies Rice for a job at Kennedy Center? But now it makes sense why Rice was emcee at this year's event... I guess that qualifies her to be on an arts council....
WHAT A JOKE
BUSH SHOULD APPOINT CHENEY TO JAIL along with his BUMCHUM RUMSFELD
It is really scary to read some of these posts. Hatred for Bush is so great it apparently has impaired some people's ability to read and understand the English language. If you actually read what jobs these folks are being appointed to; in terms of real influence for national policy issues...they amount to nothing! Talk about knee jerk reactionairies!
Georgie B. has the right to make the appointments, but given how badly he's messed things up, you'd think he'd have enough of a sense of shame to slink of quietly.
I like the think that the right to make these kinds of appointments is an earned right and that terrible presidents would know better. But I guess that's Bush in a nutshell – he's been an unethical idiot for 7.75 years, why expect something different now?
it is funny to me the nutty liberals want me a conservative to love obama and give him a chance yes like you bums did with w bush get ready we will do the favor back to the thug obama big time this man is playing president and to have the most corrupt person hillary clinton back what a joke this woman has never ever told the truth in her whole sordid life and for get the pimp bill clinton pimping all over the world for money for his ex rated library what nuts both clinton's really are don't forget dog face chelsea
We all know W knows how to push the envelope. He's proved it to us over and over. We, as a country need to put politics aside and focus on what we need to do to get our country back. We need to get over this repubican democrat thing and work to do what's best for the country. And no, I don't have all the answers. I'm thankful this country appears to have gotten past the whole race issue.
Bush. Worst. Ever. Period. 26 days and counting, until ... "MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!"