Bush bypasses Senate to name ambassador [Democrats had denounced Fox for his 2004 donation...]

Yahoo ^

[Sub-Driver]

Bush bypasses Senate to name ambassador

By JENNIFER LOVEN, Associated Press Writer 7 minutes ago

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.

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.

Bush also used his recess appointment authority to make Andrew Biggs deputy director of Social Security. The president's earlier nomination of Biggs, an outspoken advocate of partially privatizing the government's retirement program, was rejected by Senate Democrats in February.

Fox, a 77-year-old St. Louis businessman, gave $50,000 to the Swift Boat group. He is national chairman of the Jewish Republican Coalition and was dubbed a "ranger" by Bush's 2004 campaign for raising at least $200,000. He is founder and chairman of the Clayton, Mo.-based Harbour Group, which specializes in the takeover of manufacturing companies

[rdb3]

You are always the optimist Ohio....Always the optimist.....LOL...

That beats being a pessimist each and every day.

[gidget7]

“In this day and age I can not understand why John Kerry’s military record has not leaked, every thing else seems to be released.”

Yes, but look at what has been leaked, how much of it is actually true, and then look at which party those leaks serve to destroy. HINT: It’s never the Dems. And that is why we will never see them get leaked, (his records) because he is a Dem. They don't do leaks against their own.

[MarineBrat]

[Recovering_Democrat]

Rush was a little angry about the withdrawal of Fox...and frankly, so was I.

Now, all I have to say is:
BWA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!

Nice move, G.W.

[ConservaTexan]

I wonder if all the posters here who decried Bush for having no B*lls when the nomination was pulled, will show up and apologize.

I will. Way to go W., keep it up.

[jackv]

to all the Bush bashers...

Jesus said ... “Remember they hated me before they hated you.”

Bush is in GOOD company!

[Southack]

Outstanding!

Nice job, President Bush!

[rockthecasbah]

GWB - Now he’s acting like the president I voted for!!

[EGPWS]

Well, smack my a@@ and call me Sally.

Thank You GWB.

My thanks to GWB also "Sally". ; )

[ShandaLear]

Two times too many. LOL!

[Recovering_Democrat]

"What I once said to a reporter is the same thing our President is telling the Senate: 'Shove it!'"

[Recovering_Democrat]

"What I once said to a reporter is the same thing our President is telling the Senate: 'Shove it!'"

[plain talk]

I for one was hoping he would do exactly what he has done here. Too bad he can’t recess appoint a SC justice (if a vacnacy occurs).

[GalaxieFiveHundred]

[Non-Sequitur]

Too bad he can’t recess appoint a SC justice (if a vacnacy occurs).

Who says he can't? FIfteen Supreme Court justices were recess appointed. The last one was Potter Stewart in 1958.

[stylin19a]

yikes...He didn’t even wait for a Friday to announce it.
Looks like he’s baitin ‘em.

[Anti-Bubba182]

Good for bush.

[Stultis]

More, MORE, MORE.

Why not go ahead and recess appoint EVERY legit candidate the Dims have blocked?

I mean, what are the Dims gonna do that they haven't and aren't already?

[zendari]

Harry Reid mentioned something about a “poke in the eye with a sharp stick”?

Well, lets give it to em.

[alnick]

I wonder if all the posters here who decried Bush for having no B*lls when the nomination was pulled, will show up and apologize.

Well, I didn't use such crude language or even go so far as to claim he has no courage (I know better), but I did express disappointment in him over this matter. I'm happy to have been proven wrong.