Is David Vitter Behind The Secret Hold On Obama's Science Advisers?

[babylonsister]

The Mystery of the Science Holds: Why'd Vitter Go Mum?
By Elana Schor - March 12, 2009, 1:16PM


For two weeks now, TPMDC has been tracking the mysteriously delayed nominations of John Holdren, named as the president's next chief science adviser, and Jane Lubchenco, slated to head the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

A convincing, but still incomplete, trail of evidence points to Sen. David Vitter (R-LA), who won cheers from conservatives for sharply questioning Holdren during the nominees' confirmation hearing last month. But when I asked him directly, Vitter denied placing the hold, raising the question of whether his staff may have been raising objections on his behalf.

After all, a similar situation occurred in the case of Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY), whose office stalled the confirmation of two other Obama environmental nominees in January. Barrasso aimed to use those nominees as leverage to meet with White House climate adviser Carol Browner, and he ended up getting what he was after. Could Vitter's staff be working a similar angle for him?

Strangely enough, Vitter's press office won't say. My multiple attempts to reach the senator's spokesman over the past few days have been unsuccessful. Why wouldn't the office simply confirm what Vitter told me himself, that he's not the source of the holdup?

more...

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/03/the-mystery-of-the-science-holds-whys-vitter-so-mum.php?ref=fp2

[BOSSHOG]

1. david vitter, one of the finest minds of the 13th century

Ole dave is going particularly neanderthal of late, gearing up to impress his base of knuckleheads for his 2010 reelection campaign.

[Blue_In_AK]

2. That's what I've heard,

and I'm pretty upset about it. We here in Alaska were looking forward to Jane Lubchenko's confirmation especially. You can read more about her here:

http://progressivealaska.blogspot.com/2008/12/obamas-noaa-appointment-may-have.html

http://progressivealaska.blogspot.com/2009/03/sen-vitter-fingered-for-anti-science.html

and Vitter's involvement here:

http://progressivealaska.blogspot.com/2009/03/sen-vitter-fingered-for-anti-science.html

[Quantess]

3. Vitter is squirming in his diapers about it.

[MineralMan]

4. Does iddums need a diaper change? Is iddums all

cranky with poopy pants. Here...mommy will take care of that for you.