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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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12

Bush Faithful Rewarded With Plum Jobs

No crony left behind in last-minute appointments

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(Newser) – The Bush presidency lives on through more than 100 end-of-term appointments to a wide range of presidential panels, the Washington Post reports. The positions, many of which will outlast his successor's current term, have gone to George Bush's aides and political donors. Most are unpaid, although four top aides snagged jobs at a World Bank agency paying up to $3,000 a day.

The appointments—to bodies ranging from the Holocaust Memorial Museum to the US-Russia Polar Bear Commission—continue a presidential tradition of rewarding the faithful and trying to hold on to some influence, although critics say it perpetuates a "merry-go-round" of political personalities. "Once you get on the merry-go-round, you never get off, whether you belong there or not," said a spokeswoman for the Project on Government Oversight.

Former President Bush gives the thumbs up as he departs Andrews Air Force Base last month.
Former President Bush gives the thumbs up as he departs Andrews Air Force Base last month.   (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Former President Bush speaks to some 30,000 people at a welcome home rally in Midland, Texas, last month.
Former President Bush speaks to some 30,000 people at a welcome home rally in Midland, Texas, last month.   (AP Photo/Donna McWilliam)
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It's a way for an outgoing president to have some ongoing influence, however modest, after he's gone. It also shows you that a lot of people just like positions, names, titles and affiliations.
- Thomas E. Mann, a Brookings Institution scholar

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12 comments
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PaleRider
Feb 10, 09 8:42 AM CST
Non-News Reply
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Timinator2K
Feb 10, 09 8:47 AM CST
"Bush bites dog" = News "Bush Faithful Rewarded..." BORING! Reply
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LeftMiddleRight
Feb 10, 09 9:05 AM CST
I give GW one thing that I thought he'd never learn how to do as the President of the United States...he learned how to read (4th grade level). Reading comprehension? 1 out of 2 ain't bad. Sources say though, he went back to grunting and pointing at things that he wants. Reply
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Caps
Feb 10, 09 10:35 AM CST
LeftMiddleRight, this comment is funny, but I totally agree with you. He read and spoke on a 4th grade level. His grunting and that dam smirk is one, just one, reasons that I am glad he is gone..................
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Mr.C
Feb 10, 09 11:29 AM CST
Left I'd say.
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