There is a very legitimate discussion to be had here, one that affects both democrats and republicans and their behavior when in the minority. I understand the usefulness of blocking particular appointments. However, we should probably create a "short list" of positions that cannot be blocked without a full vote of the senate. It would be a rather high level list, and limited only to those officers without whom some department or agency cannot function at all. NLRB is a good example, in that they would cease to be able to function at all without a quorum of appointees. The VP slot, when vacated should be one as well. The president should have some set time limit to choose a replacement, and the senate should have a time limit to have a vote on him by the full senate. Wouldn't even have to be "whirlwind", and we could measure these times in months, upward of 6 I'd think. But I'd probably include every single cabinet officer as well as several others (CIA, CJCS, as well as some lower level ones). There would be plenty of positions left for them to never approve, and with the judiciary, I'd probably only require that some minimum number of slots be continuously filled.

But we's a got ta do sumpin folks.

If you are going open the door on this one, where does it end?? What if the Repubs win in November and President Romney decides to recess-appoint a federal judge or Supreme Court justice, without any discussion with the Senate? What if he doesn't even wait for a recess. This type of thing can swing both ways......and we will hate being on the business end of it.

(ugh, my stomach just lurched at that thought) have the same intense level of obstruction and uncooperativeness with his congress as this one has had with his to the point where his ONLY alternative to get things done was to resort to recess appointments?

The only reason why Obama went this route was because of the obstruction from the thugs. Period. Had they done their effin' jobs like they were sent there to do, this wouldn't have gone down.

It would also say a lot about romney reaching for recess appointments as a first resort and not a last one.

I think the constitution is on the Presidents side in this instance.

what really makes it special is all the Repukes claiming they going to do something once the congress is back in session....oops.