NYT
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/31/opinion/31mon2.html?th&emc=thMichael Brown, Redux
Published: October 31, 2005
Responding to questions from three Democratic senators - Barbara Boxer, Paul Sarbanes and Barack Obama - at her confirmation hearing last week, Ellen Sauerbrey, the former Maryland state legislator nominated by President Bush to head a key State Department humanitarian bureau, could come up with no convincing reason for why her lack of any relevant experience coordinating emergency aid shouldn't disqualify her from the job. And yet the Senate once again seems to be on the eve of confirming another clearly unqualified Bush appointee.
As for her credentials, Ms. Sauerbrey apparently did a fine job serving as the state chairwoman of Mr. Bush's 2000 campaign. She is currently serving as the American representative to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, where she has zealously pursued an anti-abortion and anti-family-planning agenda. She has alienated many human rights groups, but endeared herself to the White House and her party's far-right wing.
Ms. Sauerbrey cites her limited experience working with the United Nations and preparing alternative budget proposals while serving in the Maryland Legislature. But that's no substitute for the involvement in coordinating international relief efforts that former leaders of the State Department agency, the Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration, brought to the position.
Mr. Bush's selection of Ms. Sauerbrey conjures up memories of Michael Brown, the former head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Senate Republicans should think hard about the mismatch between Ms. Sauerbrey's credentials and the life-and-death responsibilities of this job.
Printer-friendly format
Email this thread to a friend
Bookmark this thread
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
