Katrina is beginning to uncover some very nasty secrets in the Bush administration. It now turns out FIVE of the TOP FEMA officials got their jobs with virtually no experience in managing emergency situations. Director Brown, Chief of Staff Rhode, Deputy Chief Alshuler were tied to the Bush 2000 election campaign. Two other positions are filled by other political operatives - The Lt. Governor of Nebraska and an official in the US Chamber of Commerce. None of these top five appointees had ANY emergency Management Experience!
In the case of Mr. Brown not only was he not qualified but his background had material lies as to his experience. We have heard over and over again how the president deserves to have the Senate approve positions because he has the right to have the people he wants in his administration. When the Senate questions the background of a Bush appointee, the White House refuses to provide all the information like in the Bolton case. When the Senate refuses to vote on a candidate, the president uses his power with an interim appointment when the Senate is no longer in session to circumvent the Senate confirmation process. Now Bush supporters are saying the Senate approved Mr. Brown because the Senators accepted his resume as correct which was submitted by the White House.
Political patronage is not new with the Bush Administration. But to have used political patronage to populate an agency like FEMA, which has the responsibility of life and death after an emergency like Katrina, is CRIMINAL. Now we see the beginnings of " pin the tail on the donkey " ( or in this case on the elephant) with the recall of Mr. Brown. There is no question that Mr. Brown and the other political hacks should be terminated from their jobs. But the real culprit is George W. Bush because of the way he has forced his political hacks into jobs within his administration for which they are NOT QUALIFIED!. It is time for the Senate, whenever confirmation is required, to insist that the credentials have been thoroughly vetted and that the information requested is provided prior to a vote on any Bush appointee. If the White House continues to stonewall providing information requested by the Senate, they should NOT VOTE on the candidate. Bush has proven his judgment concerning senior officials of the United States government cannot be trusted.