Senate FINALLY Confirms Holdren & Lubchenco

[Lionel Mandrake]

The Senate on Thursday confirmed two of President's Obama top science picks. John Holdren will serve as director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), and Jane Lubchenco will be administrator at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Holdren will also hold the title of "assistant to the president" for science and technology.

There was no controversy over these appointments. Why did it take 2 months for Senate confirmation?

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. Yeah, it was about time.

My thinking is that the Republicans are just being obstructionists by sitting on these appointments.

Bastards.

They just can't stand the idea that real scientists will once again be making policy.

Hrmph.

[Lionel Mandrake]

2. My dear CP

You are probably right.

I wonder which senator(s) caused the delay.

[eppur_se_muova]

3. Thanks for posting this! I had posted earlier about these noms being blocked ...

by an *anonymous* Senator.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=5260555&mesg_id=5260555

[Lionel Mandrake]

4. Thanks for the link.

I wonder ...

Could Senators Merde and Scheiss have sat on the appointments indefinitely, or was there a time limit?

How were they persuaded to get off the potty?

Will we ever know who these cowards are?

[gratuitous]

5. Why did it take two months?

I'd lay a dollar on "Republican pissiness."

[Lionel Mandrake]

6. Good question.

No bet. The odds are in your favor.

[burning rain]

7. An NOAA pick would likely worry Republicans...

on issues of global warming, ocean dumping, and such. Maybe what science picks need to do to placate Republicans is go into the hearings all wild-eyed and decleare themselves young earth creationists.

[Lionel Mandrake]

8. Holdren worries them more.

The boss at NOAA is important, but the president's science advisor is more important, because he will have direct access to the president. He doesn't have to go through anybody. The religious right is afraid to let the president be kept up to date on issues that scientists deem important.

BTW, young-earth creationism is no longer in fashion. The latest slogan in the war against science is "intelligent design".