by Mark Silva
President Bush will have the congressional leadership of both parties in for breakfast tomorrow morning at the White House, and one of the items the president wants to put on their plates is the confirmation of former Rep. Jim Nussle of Iowa as White House budget director.
Nussle's confirmation is on hold, at the request of an anonymous member of the Senate, and senators will be going home for the summer soon.
Nussle was an early supporter of Bush during the president's first campaign, backing Bush during the Iowa caucuses of 2000. But Nussle failed in his own bid for election as Iowa governor and left Congress last year, after 16 years of service.
The White House insists that Nussle is well-suited for the job of helping the president craft his final, $3-trillion-plus budget for fiscal year 2008.
“Jim Nussle is someone who is qualified to be budget director.,'' Tony Snow, the White House press secretary, said today and "“Rob Portman is leaving, that’s it.’’
Nussle's confirmation could be ensnared in broader congressional negotiations with the White House over spending plans for the 2007 fiscal year that begins on Oct. 1, which the president also hopes to talk about at breakfast tomorrow.
But as for Nussle himself, the White House's message is simple:
"Remove the anonymous hold,'' Snow said. "Give him a vote.''
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Comments
Here's your answer, Decider Guy....NO!
We no longer trust you...
Posted by: John E | July 31, 2007 1:42 PM
Why does Bush need a budget director? They make up all the statistics they give out:
To wit, From Bloomberg, July 27:
"The Commerce Department today also revised GDP going back to the first quarter of 2004. The world's largest economy grew an average 3.2 percent from 2004 through 2006, 0.3 percentage point slower than previously thought..."
Hell, Nussle will be recess-appointed anyway.
Posted by: athena | July 31, 2007 2:14 PM
Athena, since you are a card-carrying member of the Loony Left, you not understanding economic issues comes as no surprise. Economic numbers always get revised months after first reported to years. They get revised up and down. When you are talking about an economy in the trillions of dollars a year, it takes time to get all the information computed. A .3 percent revision for a three-year period is rather minute (in this case, it would be pronounced my-noot). Comprehend?
Posted by: John D | July 31, 2007 3:18 PM
Jim Nussle is well qualified but, an anonymous Senator if not Chuckie Schumer-- the anonymous one has Schumer and Reids blessing. Dems put holds on anything that would help the President and America this is just one more swindel hidden in Dem liberal righteousness. Elected to govern they can not serve the people. They believe they are elected to harrass all Republicans. No wonder Joe Lieberman doesn't recognize his party anymore. If John F Kennedy came back he would not know his own party either. They have sold out to leftist socialists on steroids and mean loud mouths pushing nanny government without morals e.g. the Dem sacrament of abortion. They have no shame until kicked out by the American voter.They continue the surrender in Iraq even though it now appears they will lose and America will be victorious despite the screaming of el dumbo John Murtha. Murtha of abscam fame."Maybe if I get to know you guys we'll do business later on " Murtha said.
Jim Nussle is being played for a fool by the elite Dems. He would be a great budget director but, then that might help the President and Congress effectively govern. Reid, Schumer and Pelosi don't want good government.Jerry White, Springfield, IL
Posted by: Jerry White | July 31, 2007 3:26 PM
We all know that statistics don't lie but liars do statistics. Vote "NO" for Jimmy Nussle. Send him back to the corn fields of Iowa.
Where does Nussle get his suits?? How much does he pay for a haircut??
Posted by: Doug R. | July 31, 2007 3:36 PM
Jerry White - 573 Billion dollars later. Five years of a "War on Terror" or just a occupation that went bad. 4000 dead soldiers, and nothing to show for it but a "reconciliation" at the end. Isn't that what you get or do at a divorce hearing. So who is getting kicked to the curb. Iraq or the United States?
This was a war on Us. Those damn Americans. Those damn Democrats and their black vote every time. OOPS I mean Hispanic vote, oops I mean the Native American vote, oops, Well anyways, those people. "Stop Counting" We will show them.
No Bush couldn't be like a Timothy McVeigh. Looking to blow up his country. Not a truck driver. So I will stand behind them today and tell them how Barnie got Katrina mixed up with his new shoes.
Well then who really owns the Nationals if the rest of what I said is a crock of bushy bushy tails?
Posted by: Roger Morris | July 31, 2007 3:48 PM
"Let my budget director serve", said the devil. "Give him a vote", echoed the devil's minion.
Posted by: Sam | July 31, 2007 4:30 PM
Moot point. Political posturing. Call it "Dubya Drama" if you like. It's just going to end up being another recess appointment.
Posted by: kg123 | July 31, 2007 4:33 PM