Junkyard Dog at State

For John, BLUF:  No one watching the store at State.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

I am not keen on US Senators placing holds on Executive Branch appointments requiring Senate Confirmation.  However, holds are a way for the US Senate to get the attention of the Executive Branch.  Thus, I will make an exception in the case of Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), who is placing a hold on ALL State Department nominations until the Obama Administration nominates someone to fill the office of Inspector General (IG).

This is from The DiploPundit, and in particular Mr Domani Spero.  Here he quotes Senator Cruz:

The President’s failure to nominate a State Department Inspector General since taking office in 2009 is unacceptable.  The position has been vacant for almost 2,000 days.  This is a crucial oversight position and should be a priority for an agency facing substantial management challenges.

We are talking about a Congressionally mandated position at State, and at other federal agencies.  These are the "Junkyard Dogs" who go after those kinds of things that represent fraud, waste and abuse, and bring disrepute upon the agency.

And it isn't like there hasn't been some hanky-panky at State.  Consorting with prostitutes and some underage, adultery by an Ambassador overseas, with another nation's Ambassador, and so on.

This seems more than a casual oversight.  This is the kind of negligence that results in a loss of faith in Government.  The whole time Ms Hillary Clinton was Secretary of State.  Two thousand days.  Ms Chelsea Clinton graduated from college in less time.  I would think this should be a key issue in the run-up to the Presidential Election in 2016.

In their briefing earlier this month State said they have a candidate.  Almost 2000 days later.

Regards  —  Cliff