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Obama's Agenda Dwarfs His Staff

President's team stretched thin despite flurry of appointments

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 16, 2009 11:08 AM CDT
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(Newser) – President Obama is filling government jobs more quickly than his predecessors, but there's so much going on that his team is still stretched thin, the Wall Street Journal reports. Obama is juggling the economic crisis, stimulus package, and two wars, all with just 43 confirmed aides. "No one since Roosevelt has had to deal with a similar level of crises the minute they walked in the door," a transition expert said.

The Commerce and Health and Human Services departments still don’t have secretaries. Tim Geithner remains the lone confirmed official at Treasury, and a gaggle of key diplomats are still awaiting confirmation. But the White House insists it’s comfortable and "moving ahead in quiet and aggressive fashion." President Bush, by comparison, didn’t pass his signature tax cuts until four months in.

Health and Human Services Secretary-designate Kathleen Sebelius waits for the arrival of Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus on March 12, 2009, in Baucus' office.
Health and Human Services Secretary-designate Kathleen Sebelius waits for the arrival of Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus on March 12, 2009, in Baucus' office.   (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
President Barack Obama gestures during a meeting in the Oval Office in this file photo.
President Barack Obama gestures during a meeting in the Oval Office in this file photo.   (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
In this Sept. 27, 2008, file photo, Judd Gregg speaks to reporters on Capitol Hill. Gregg was Obama's second muffed pick for Commerce Secretary. The post remains open.
In this Sept. 27, 2008, file photo, Judd Gregg speaks to reporters on Capitol Hill. Gregg was Obama's second muffed pick for Commerce Secretary. The post remains open.   (AP Photo/Lauren Victoria Burke, File)
President Barack Obama arrives in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, March 11, 2009, to sign an Executive Order creating the White House Council on Women and Girls.
President Barack Obama arrives in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, March 11, 2009, to sign an Executive Order creating the White House Council on Women and Girls.   (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 3 comments
Guest
Mar 17, 2009 4:50 AM CDT
Can't really say that Bush did "nothing"...he did a lot alright, just not the kind of the stuff the world or the US needed.
Derni
Mar 16, 2009 2:38 AM CDT
Remember: he has to make up for a guy that did nothing for 8 years-so he's not really doing too much -he's doing double what he should only to catch the nation up on thiungs that have been neglected.
Doctor-Zaius
Mar 16, 2009 1:03 AM CDT
Can you even imagine how screwed we would be if Bush was an enthusiastic worker?

Geithner home alone at the Treasury
Financial Times (UK)

Still no date for Sebelius confirmation
Kansas City Star

Obama's first 50 days fly by
Toronto Star (Canada)

 
Department of Health • Treasury Department • Department of Commerce • federal employees • Obama administration • Timothy Geithner • Obama Cabinet • political appointment

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