Why conservatives are already fuming about Obama's next big Cabinet pick
Why conservatives are already fuming about Obama's next big Cabinet pick
To liberals, Thomas Perez is a tireless advocate for the underserved. To conservatives, he's a partisan hack with a dubious record
By Jon Terbush | 4:40pm EST
President Barack Obama is expected to nominate Assistant Attorney General Thomas Perez to be his new labor secretary, and though the pick isn't official yet, conservatives are already assailing the choice.
The backlash comes on the heels of the contentious debate that preceded Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel's confirmation, when lawmakers threatened to filibuster the process. That fierce opposition was highly unusual, especially given Hagel's credentials as a former senator. Plus, the Senate hadn't blocked a defense secretary nominee in a quarter-century.
So why is Perez, like Hagel before him, eliciting such a strong negative reaction?
For one thing, Perez heads the Justice Department's Civil Rights division. That branch has come under fire for a host of reasons, including allegations of harassment and mistreatment of employees due to their political leanings. In a report released Tuesday, department watchdogs concluded the division has been marred by "deep ideological polarization" and a "disappointing lack of professionalism."
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http://theweek.com/article/index/241337/why-conservatives-are-already-fuming-about-obamas-next-big-cabinet-pick
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