Bush bypasses Congress to appoint Negroponte aide

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/security_negroponte_dc;_ylt=AqjSsXdxrqOYB4XyaZepQNms0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTA3ODdxdHBhBHNlYwM5NjQ-

Bush bypasses Congress to appoint Negroponte aide

Thu Jan 5, 7:18 PM ET

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -
President George W. Bush bypassed Congress to appoint a new top legal officer on intelligence matters whose nomination had been blocked by a Senate protest over detainees, officials said on Thursday.

Benjamin Powell, who until recently had advised Bush on intelligence issues, including reform, was appointed general counsel to U.S. intelligence chief John Negroponte on January 4 while Congress was in adjournment, officials said.

Powell's nomination was approved unanimously by the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence in July. But a full Senate confirmation vote was held up by Democrats, including Sen. Carl Levin (news, bio, voting record) of Michigan, in protest of the administration's refusal to allow the Senate to see documents on treatment of detainees held as part of the war on terrorism.

Negroponte complained to Senate Republican and Democratic leaders in November that the delay was hampering his ability to carry out critical responsibilities, including implementation of congressionally mandated intelligence reforms.........

Can this be stppoed at all? I had no idea a President could just make so many appointments.

Imagine a Democrat doing the same?

.....Negroponte complained to Senate Republican and Democratic leaders in November that the delay was hampering his ability to carry out critical responsibilities, including implementation of congressionally mandated intelligence reforms.

Levin's office said the senator wanted Congress to review the detainee documents before confirming Powell, who would play a central role in advising Negroponte on detainee issues.

Bush bypassed Congress by filling the position while the Senate was in recess. The Senate would have to approve Powell's appointment by the end of the next session or the position would become vacant again.

he's used this 'recess appointment' something like half a dozen times in the past week iirc.

He knows he's in trouble and he's trying to stuff the government with his people to take a power grab.

Bush is just running amok now.

Installs who he wants, spys on who he wants, starts wars when he wants, obeys only the laws he wants. It sound more like a two year old demanding his way than an adult, especially an adult who is supposed to be the leader of the free world.