http://www.hlswatch.com/2008/04/22/dhs-transition-looks-to-pinch-hitters/ News and analysis of critical issues in homeland security today. Thu, 04 Dec 2008 04:45:45 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 http://www.hlswatch.com/2008/04/22/dhs-transition-looks-to-pinch-hitters/#comment-102793 Homeland Security Watch » DHS Transition Plans Emerge Fri, 25 Apr 2008 11:43:29 +0000 http://www.hlswatch.com/2008/04/22/dhs-transition-looks-to-pinch-hitters/#comment-102793 [...] follow up to the April 22 post detailing an aspect of the DHS Transition Plan, the House Homeland Security Committee posted a [...] […] follow up to the April 22 post detailing an aspect of the DHS Transition Plan, the House Homeland Security Committee posted a […]

]]> http://www.hlswatch.com/2008/04/22/dhs-transition-looks-to-pinch-hitters/#comment-102481 William R. Cumming Tue, 22 Apr 2008 16:27:18 +0000 http://www.hlswatch.com/2008/04/22/dhs-transition-looks-to-pinch-hitters/#comment-102481 Interesting post. Too bad the PLUM BOOK or Prune Book as some call it not yet out. My guess is that at least 8-900 positions in DHS are politically vetted. Perhaps more. One item that could be useful in analyzing the real impact of appointees, whether or not confirmed by the Senate, would be to require a written position description of each political position in each department and agency. The Presidential Records Act means that usually the White House offices are swept clean but that is why official record keeping is so important in transitions. It may take years for a new Presidential library to get set up for document requests. A complete set of documents should be sent to the Archives but instead of empty shelves, there should be a duplicate set of documents left for new personnel. Finally, Congress should act so that for key national security and homeland security positions, the incumbents could not be dismissed except for a written statement of reasons excluding party affiliation, until a new appointee is sworn in. Too much is at risk when innocence or ignorance shows up in key federal jobs. It is no longer necessary that the country risk amatuer night for extended periods of time. Congress could establish some number of positions eligible for continuity in each department and agency. Sure some abuse may occur but it is better to have an accountable officer or official even if an appointee, if the worse comes to be and a crisis involving the program, funcitons, or activities of that appointee occurs. At some point there must be trust that the incumbents had or have some competence. Proof in the pudding of course. Interesting post. Too bad the PLUM BOOK or Prune Book as some call it not yet out. My guess is that at least 8-900 positions in DHS are politically vetted. Perhaps more. One item that could be useful in analyzing the real impact of appointees, whether or not confirmed by the Senate, would be to require a written position description of each political position in each department and agency. The Presidential Records Act means that usually the White House offices are swept clean but that is why official record keeping is so important in transitions. It may take years for a new Presidential library to get set up for document requests. A complete set of documents should be sent to the Archives but instead of empty shelves, there should be a duplicate set of documents left for new personnel. Finally, Congress should act so that for key national security and homeland security positions, the incumbents could not be dismissed except for a written statement of reasons excluding party affiliation, until a new appointee is sworn in. Too much is at risk when innocence or ignorance shows up in key federal jobs. It is no longer necessary that the country risk amatuer night for extended periods of time. Congress could establish some number of positions eligible for continuity in each department and agency. Sure some abuse may occur but it is better to have an accountable officer or official even if an appointee, if the worse comes to be and a crisis involving the program, funcitons, or activities of that appointee occurs. At some point there must be trust that the incumbents had or have some competence. Proof in the pudding of course.

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