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All administrations do it.
Written by GussThe first U.S. surgeon general appointed by President George W. Bush accused the administration on Tuesday of political interference and muzzling him on key issues like embryonic stem cell research.
“Anything that doesn’t fit into the political appointees’ ideological, theological or political agenda is ignored, marginalized or simply buried,” Dr. Richard Carmona, who served as the nation’s top doctor from 2002 until 2006, told a House of Representatives committee.
“The problem with this approach is that in public health, as in a democracy, there is nothing worse than ignoring science, or marginalizing the voice of science for reasons driven by changing political winds. The job of surgeon general is to be the doctor of the nation, not the doctor of a political party,” Carmona added.
Carmona said Bush administration political appointees censored his speeches and kept him from talking out publicly about certain issues, including the science on embryonic stem cell research, contraceptives and his misgivings about the administration’s embrace of “abstinence-only” sex education.
Carmona’s comments came two days before a Senate committee is due to hold a hearing on Bush’s nomination of Dr. James Holsinger as his successor. The administration allowed Carmona to finish his term as surgeon general last year without a replacement in place.
Gay rights activists and several leading Democrats have criticized Holsinger for what they see as “anti-gay” writings, but the White House has defended him as well qualified.
U.S. surgeons general in the past have issued influential reports on subjects including smoking, AIDS and mental health.
Sue Says:
July 11th, 2007 at 12:48 amVisit Sue
“Anything that doesn’t fit into the political appointees’ ideological, theological or political agenda is ignored, marginalized or simply buried,” Dr. Richard Carmona, who served as the nation’s top doctor from 2002 until 2006, told a House of Representatives committee.
You are so right Guss, all administrations seek those who believe as they do. They all insulate themselves with those who will follow their agenda.
Last I knew though,there is nothing and no one who can force a political appointee to stay in a position in which they feel uncomfortable.
If the outgoing Surgeon General had all of these concerns they why did he not resign or go public long ago?
This is another example of the Presidents loyalty gone afoul. If this man did not believe in or support his policies he should have been replaced. Oh well.
Ayschlay Says:
July 11th, 2007 at 9:30 amVisit Ayschlay
“Last I knew though,there is nothing and no one who can force a political appointee to stay in a position in which they feel uncomfortable.”
Is it that straightforward, Sue?
Here’s a guess of one way this works:
I imagine that appointees, in exchange for some power over a policy area, compromise with the Presidency over some things. And perhaps one stays in the job, not complaining if things get strange, in the hope of affecting change, but then finally give up, and perhaps being asked to resign. In that case, if the ex-appointee hopes to stay in the game, she or he can’t make a fuss. But now the Bush administration has squandered all its political capital, and has less control over the GOP, so now ex-appointees can now speak out with less fear of retaliation.
Sue Says:
July 11th, 2007 at 9:37 amVisit Sue
Ayschlay:
You might be absolutely correct in your analogy.
I simply do not understand why you would stay in any position where you felt that uncomfortable. I suppose it happens every day though.
~J~ Says:
July 11th, 2007 at 10:06 amVisit ~J~
It happens every day in the private sector until someone can find a better job or because he or she has so much time invested in the company it would be foolish to leave because retirement is almost attainable and because you like the medical and other benefits available.
This is not analagous to a political appointee, one especially who is a doctor. He should be able to get work and financial security outside the government sector.
They all shoot their mouths off when they are not re-appointed, regardless of what political capital any president has. They don’t like being “fired” as it were.
Ayschlay Says:
July 11th, 2007 at 10:15 amVisit Ayschlay
The question here is what motives drive human behavior in the case of political appointees? Salary? Prestige? Power? Principles? Salary is no doubt the least important goal in the public sector, so it must be some mix of the other three, a mix that varies from person to person I would think.
As for shooting mouths off after getting “fired.” Sue’s question is why wait so long to talk?
Another thing we could think about is how many people don’t say anything after resigning (or being forced to)? Another question follows: are more Bush appointees complaining after leaving office than appointees from past administrations? If more, why? It may well be that there’s little difference between the Bush administration and past ones. I don’t know.
~J~ Says:
July 11th, 2007 at 10:28 amVisit ~J~
I’m not a psychologist or psychiatrist so I don’t know what motivates people other than by my own experiences and common sense.
If someone is so enamored of the power, prestige etc. of a political appointment he would, it seems to me, be less likely to run his mouth publicly so he could protect that position of power and prestige.
When he is allowed to have his appointment expire or is asked to leave he will say what he’s been thinking all along.
Others just have the good sense and good upbringing to let it go and not talk about it publicly.