Recess!!!

President Barack Obama is set to appoint Dr. Donald Berwick as head of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services during the Congressional recess, bypassing Senate review of the appointment until at least next year. The recess appointment power, meant to be used in a time of emergency for temporary situations of need, not as an end run around Congress, was criticized by President Obama in 2005 when as a candidate for Senate, he referred to recess appointees as "damaged goods". The hypocrisy has become so common as to be mundane at this point.

Of greater interest is the strategy of using this method of appointment. Berwick was expected to face grilling by Republicans over his controversial views in favor of rationing health care. Democrats were afraid of this issue essentially reopening the debate on the health care bill. This also avoids that debate coming before the November Congressional elections. Think about it, President Obama, who derided people who suggested there would be rationing of care under his health care plan, is going to appoint a man in favor of such rationing and doesn't want a public discussion about it. Transparent, not so much. Accountable, certainly not. Cynical, of mais, bien sur!