Dan Boren Has New Political Clout
By Jim Myers/Tulsa World In Washington ~ With only two terms in the U.S. House behind him, Oklahoma Democrat Dan Boren is making preparations to help the new Obama administration fill key federal positions across the state.
Traditionally, that important perk goes to a state's senior U.S. senator or a senator from the same party that controls the White House. As the only Democrat in Oklahoma's congressional delegation, Boren will get that opportunity by default.
Job-seekers are wasting no time. Boren said resumes began pouring into his office weeks before Democrat Barack Obama won the election Tuesday.
"I've actually already met with several people in person,'' he said. To help sort out applicants for posts such as U.S. attorney, marshal and agricultural slots and come up with recommendations for the new administration, Boren said he is forming a board.
"The final say will come from me, but their recommendations will weigh heavily on the decision that is made,'' he said.
With a few details such as the board's size still to be worked out, Boren said the names of its members will not be made public and that it will not meet with individual applicants.
"If you make the names public, then each individual applying for these different positions will then campaign individual members of the board,'' he said. "So, I think it best for my decision-making process that it does not get political and that it is based solely on the qualifications of the individuals applying for those positions.''
Under Senate procedures, nominations that require confirmation usually must have the support of a state's two senators to move forward. Failure to win their blessing can either kill a nomination outright or delay it so long the clock runs out.
When faced with an identical situation in the 1990s, the Clinton administration made it clear that it would not send up a nomination for an Oklahoma slot unless both of the state's senators had signed off on it.
Boren said he plans to work with the state's Republican senators, Jim Inhofe and Tom Coburn, to ensure that recommendations he gives the Obama administration will have their support.
"I will be in constant contact with both senators,'' he said. "I won't do anything and send someone up they don't sign off on. That would be a mistake.''
On judicial nominations — which sometimes can generate controversy because, unlike others, they are lifetime appointments — Boren again said he will look for those who can get through the confirmation process. No litmus test will be applied to judicial applicants, he said, adding that they should represent "Oklahoma values'' and not have any blemishes on their record.
Inhofe, who as the state's senior senator is losing the privilege of recommending appointees to the White House, predicted a smooth process under the new arrangement.
He described his working relationship with Boren as "very close.''
"I would prefer, actually, even though technically that is not the way it happens, that he do that,'' Inhofe said of Boren's new role. "I know him well enough that he and I would agree on these appointments pretty much.''
He then quickly added that either senator can stop any nomination. "I seriously doubt that could happen,'' Inhofe said.
Coburn declined to comment.
During the recent presidential election campaign, Boren said he would vote for Obama but withheld an official endorsement, citing the Illinois senator's "liberal'' record. He does not expect that to be a problem when working with the administration on appointments. "They recognize that I've got to represent my district and my people,'' Boren said. "Also, I have a vote to cast in Congress, and they are definitely going to need my vote over the next few years on the various issues. I don't think they would do anything to change that relationship.''
Traditionally, that important perk goes to a state's senior U.S. senator or a senator from the same party that controls the White House. As the only Democrat in Oklahoma's congressional delegation, Boren will get that opportunity by default.
Job-seekers are wasting no time. Boren said resumes began pouring into his office weeks before Democrat Barack Obama won the election Tuesday.
"I've actually already met with several people in person,'' he said. To help sort out applicants for posts such as U.S. attorney, marshal and agricultural slots and come up with recommendations for the new administration, Boren said he is forming a board.
"The final say will come from me, but their recommendations will weigh heavily on the decision that is made,'' he said.
With a few details such as the board's size still to be worked out, Boren said the names of its members will not be made public and that it will not meet with individual applicants.
"If you make the names public, then each individual applying for these different positions will then campaign individual members of the board,'' he said. "So, I think it best for my decision-making process that it does not get political and that it is based solely on the qualifications of the individuals applying for those positions.''
Under Senate procedures, nominations that require confirmation usually must have the support of a state's two senators to move forward. Failure to win their blessing can either kill a nomination outright or delay it so long the clock runs out.
When faced with an identical situation in the 1990s, the Clinton administration made it clear that it would not send up a nomination for an Oklahoma slot unless both of the state's senators had signed off on it.
Boren said he plans to work with the state's Republican senators, Jim Inhofe and Tom Coburn, to ensure that recommendations he gives the Obama administration will have their support.
"I will be in constant contact with both senators,'' he said. "I won't do anything and send someone up they don't sign off on. That would be a mistake.''
On judicial nominations — which sometimes can generate controversy because, unlike others, they are lifetime appointments — Boren again said he will look for those who can get through the confirmation process. No litmus test will be applied to judicial applicants, he said, adding that they should represent "Oklahoma values'' and not have any blemishes on their record.
Inhofe, who as the state's senior senator is losing the privilege of recommending appointees to the White House, predicted a smooth process under the new arrangement.
He described his working relationship with Boren as "very close.''
"I would prefer, actually, even though technically that is not the way it happens, that he do that,'' Inhofe said of Boren's new role. "I know him well enough that he and I would agree on these appointments pretty much.''
He then quickly added that either senator can stop any nomination. "I seriously doubt that could happen,'' Inhofe said.
Coburn declined to comment.
During the recent presidential election campaign, Boren said he would vote for Obama but withheld an official endorsement, citing the Illinois senator's "liberal'' record. He does not expect that to be a problem when working with the administration on appointments. "They recognize that I've got to represent my district and my people,'' Boren said. "Also, I have a vote to cast in Congress, and they are definitely going to need my vote over the next few years on the various issues. I don't think they would do anything to change that relationship.''
Labels: Dan Boren, Obama Administration
posted by Mike McCarville @ 10:21 AM
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