Posted on 02/10/2011 6:59:47 PM PST by CedarDave
Harrison Schmitt, a former NASA astronaut who was chosen by Gov. Susana Martinez to head up the state's Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department, has withdrawn his nomination after a squabble with the Senate Rules Committee over background checks.
(Excerpt) Read more at abqjournal.com ...
State of New MexicoFormer Senator Schmitt's nomination was controversial because of his outspoken views on environmentalism, climate change, energy use and resource extraction. The libs and enviros were coming out of the woodwork and lining up to testify against him at his state senate confirmation hearing. He had already become a lightning rod for attacks on the administration because of his views requiring Martinez to defend his appointment shortly after its announcement. With the amount of controversy surrounding it, this may be a blessing in disguise for her.
Office of the GovernorFor Immediate Release
February 10, 2011SEN. HARRISON SCHMITT WITHDRAWS NOMINATION TO LEAD STATE’S ENERGY, MINERALS AND NATURAL RESOURCES DEPARTMENT
SANTA FE – Governor Susana Martinez issued the following statement following Senator Harrison Schmitt’s decision to withdraw his nomination to serve as the State’s Secretary of Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources:
“Senator Schmitt is a former NASA astronaut who underwent a complete background check by the Department of Public Safety as part of his nomination process.
“Senator Schmitt was willing to allow a private investigator access to his personal information, but he was not willing to waive that investigator’s liability for any improper actions or use of that information. While one can understand Senator Schmitt’s concerns, complying with the Legislature’s request is necessary to restore public confidence in state government. That’s why I am requiring all of my cabinet secretary designees to comply with that request and this has led to Senator Schmitt withdrawing his nomination.
“I wish Senator Schmitt the best in his future endeavors and I will work swiftly to find a qualified replacement to lead New Mexico’s Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department.”
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That’s a blast from the past. I’ve sometimes wondered whatever happened to him.
Well, that’s certainly too bad. I haven’t been following this story, and at first I thought he was a global warmist without proper credentials for the job. Instead, just the opposite. He is being attacked by the global warmists, and he has a doctorate in geology from Harvard.
Too bad, indeed.
The key here is that he was fine with a background check but would not agree to hold harmless the people doing it in case they got stuff wrong.
He’s an interesting, brilliant and thoughtful guy. This is why government sucks. We cannot get people like him into it.
Love Jack Schmitt!!!
It is kind of strange, but maybe he's looking at what has happened with Palin in that any contradiction, indiscretion or embarrassing thing found in the background check has been revealed to ridicule, embarrass and degrade her and her family in public.
Reading the governor’s statement regarding this, I am disappointed that she is unwilling to stand with Jack Schmitt and to hold the legislature and its PIs accountable if his private information should find its way into the hands of others less scrupulous. Schmitt’s a real man.
And why should they be held harmless?
We need him to run for president.
Agreed. If a health check up is also required for the job, are the applicants required to hold the Doctor harmless if they accidentally stick them with an AIDS infected needle?
That’s quite a step, from long-ago Senator to President. Perhaps he could serve in a GOP Administration after 2012.
“With the amount of controversy surrounding it, this may be a blessing in disguise for her.”
Like with Gingrich?
Like with Trent Lott?
Like with Borke?
Like with Palin?
ANYTIME an effective spokesperson for the conservative agenda, or someone who is perceived to be the same by the left, is involved in ANY kind of controversy, the Liberal Haters come out en mass, they rally their dupes in the Mainstream Media, and we crumble.
WHY DO WE EVEN BOTHER TO FIGHT? Just surrender. Its less “controversial”.
I don’t blame him a bit.
Jack is a straight arrow, a bright geologist, a fine person and I am sure there is nothing negative in his history. This is about what might be done with the information about him that would be exposed. simply privacy.
Jack is right about Climate Change....
He just does not need all the crap they wanted him to go through....
“He’s an interesting, brilliant and thoughtful guy. This is why government sucks. We cannot get people like him into it.”
Exactly my thoughts.
Hell of a lot shorter step, IMHO, than from affirmative action, undocumented, transcriptless community organizer to President.
Is that typical that you are aware of? That you have to hold them harmless if the people investigating get it wrong?
Seems like no one should be forced to sign something like that. If you’re paid to investigate you need to get it right!
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