Bush, taking a page from "Tricky Dick" Nixon, used a congressional recess to slide an old political crony through as he knew that nominating Fox for Ambassador to Belgium when Congress was in full session wouldn't go through. That was exactly why he withdrew Fox's nomination, as he knew that acting democratically would never succeed.
This displays the blatant hypocrisy of Bush, declaring to service personnel in Iraq that they are fighting for democracy, while he consistently betrays his role as U.S. chief executive committed to following the democratic rules laid down in the Constitution.
"I seriously question the legality of the president's use of the recess appointment authority in that instance," Dodd declared.
In a Chicago Tribune article April 5, Jill Zuckman stated, "During Fox's confirmation hearing before his nomination was withdrawn Kerry questioned him about why he had given $50,000 to a group that was smearing and spreading lies about him. Fox refused to apologize for giving the money or for the group's allegations against Kerry."
Originally the Constitution allowed the president to make appointments minus Senate confirmation only when Congress is out of session for long periods. Bush used this brief recess to slide a political crony through without allowing the opposition to have any democratic voice in the matter at all.
Fox, Chairman of the Jewish Republican Coalition, was a Ranger in Bush's 2004 election. That requires raising a minimum of at least $200,000. Fox has donated millions of dollars to GOP candidates for years on end. Fox's specialty is taking over manufacturing companies. Whatever happened to anti-trust legislation?
Another Bush recess appointment authority was making Andrew Biggs Social Security Deputy Director. Biggs advocates partially privatizing social security. This is in harmony with Bush's Social Security overhaul thinking.
Bush chased round the U.S.A. to 50 locations to promote this Wall Street dream deal to lay their hands of the senior citizens retirement program. The nation rejected this Bush concept for Social Security emphatically.
Whether the subject matter relates to judicial appointments, ambassadorships, or Social Security appointments, this failed president who launched the unneeded Iraq War blithely chases around the world acting if he has the wisdom of Solomon to solve all problems internationally and nationally.
With a track record of bringing death, destruction and debt, this loser's legacy will someday haunt the future U.S.A. politically, economically and morally. How did we let this happen to what was once a democratic nation, once respected around the world will be the burning question.
