The ongoing number of less-than-qualified political allies appointed by President Bush has continued despite accusations of cronyism from the public. With the appointment of Ellen Sauerbrey to the State Department's Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration, concerns have been raised that she is not equipped to handle such a position.
A representative to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women and described as a radical idealist on issues such as abortion, Sauerbrey appears to be grossly misplaced in that job, which would concern coordinating emergency-aid to refugees of war, persecution and natural disasters. Although her sense of stability is proposed as an asset, it seems that the important position too readily is being handed over to a political hack, reminiscent of Michael Brown, disgraced former Federal Emergency Management Agency head.
Sauerbrey's main point on her resume seems to be her political loyalty to Bush, eerily emulating another recent nominee for a high-end position: Harriet Miers. Although Sauerbrey's ideals are seen by the president as an essential aspect of the job that seeks to prevent and manage circumstances where groups of people could become refugees - wars, natural disasters, etc. - it has been proved in the United States' recent experience with Hurricane Katrina that ideals don't replace actual experience in dealing with the response to those situations. At this point, Bush's appointments are not helping to regain the public's trust after the hurricane, and Sauerbrey is simply another example of his miscalculated decision making in choosing appointees.
Although it is hoped the position, which controls $700 million in assets, will allow a learning curve for Bush's former Maryland campaign chairwoman, in all reality, this could unfortunately be another Brown situation, and the Bush administration will be the target of more accusations of cronyism and incompetence.
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More political favoritism from Bush
