New administrations clear the boards of political personnel when the White House changes occupants.
But don’t count on that wholesale sweep if Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) beats long odds and becomes America’s chief executive.
Not only will he continue his predecessor’s economic and national-defense policies, he’ll likely keep many Dubya cronies in their appointed national and international offices.
That means thousands of “Brownies” (remember Michael Brown, scapegoated administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency?) will continue to draw salaries and fumble the ball.
That’s not to say that a Democratic President won’t appoint incompetent cronies to important and unimportant posts.
Count on it. But at least they’ll be liberal or moderate nincompoops.
Dubya’s sycophants passed muster simply because Republicans then controlled the Congressional vetting process.
Don’t look for closer scrutiny next time, because an overwhelming Democratic Congress will be wink-nodding nominees of a Democratic President. (18 MAY 2008)
