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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2009
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38

GOP Uses Van Jones to Rebel Against Czars

Republicans say czars are an end-run around congressional vetting

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(Newser) – Republicans have groused for months that Barack Obama has too many “czars,” high-ranking, specialized advisers that, they complain, skirt congressional approval. Now they have a poster boy for their objections, Politico reports: Van Jones. This week an old lecture video surfaced in which he called Republicans “assholes,” as did an old 9/11 Truth petition with his signature. Republicans say there’s no way he would have made it through a Senate confirmation hearing.

Every modern president has had czars. The term is actually media shorthand for the advisers’ real, long-winded titles; Van Jones’ is “Council on Environmental Quality's special adviser for green jobs.” But Obama has an unprecedented number—around 30 by some counts—giving him, in John McCain’s words, “more czars than the Romanovs.” But experts say the czars have little legal power, and generally wind up simply giving advice and relaying White House messages.

T. Boone Pickens listens to White House Council on Environmental Quality Van Jones speak at the National Clean Energy Summit 2.0, Aug. 10, 2009.
T. Boone Pickens listens to White House Council on Environmental Quality Van Jones speak at the National Clean Energy Summit 2.0, Aug. 10, 2009.   (AP Photo/Eric Jamison)
Van Jones, Special Advisor for Green Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation at the White House Council on Environmental Quality, attends the Time 100 Gala.
Van Jones, Special Advisor for Green Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation at the White House Council on Environmental Quality, attends the Time 100 Gala.   (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)
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38 comments
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Fondue
Sep 5, 09 8:55 AM CDT
So Obama has too many czars in the opinion of those we don't listen to anymore, and one of those czars called assholes what they are. Reply
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+3
IN RESPONSE:
Reader64481089
Sep 5, 09 8:59 AM CDT
What I want is for those same congressmen to undergo the same scrutiny they are giving they are giving all of Obama's choices? I wonder how many would fall short of the requirements they would have of the Democrats? Perhaps we should puch for the same microscope to be used fairly and evenly across the board
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+8
IN RESPONSE:
archibaldarmstrong
Sep 5, 09 9:03 AM CDT
That was profound fondue. If, as the article says, the czars "have little legal power", and if he's as radical as the tapes show him to be, why doesn't he just quietly go away and stop making Obama look bad? It's about the last thing he needs right now, and I'm sure there are plenty of other Environmental experts out there who are not quite as polarizing or offensive. Do we know if these czars are paid, or are they just doing it for fun? If they are paid, is it with tax dollars? (It would have to be...) Taxpayers do have a say, one way or another, cause even if czars are working pro bono, they're making suggestions that will end up costing us. Right?
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-4
IN RESPONSE:
Fondue
Sep 5, 09 10:34 AM CDT
Archie, Van Jones is the leading green jobs expert. Why can him because he used such a radical word like 'assholes', or signed a petition? Ever heard of "The Family"? That's a radical bunch.
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+3
IN RESPONSE:
Fondue
Sep 5, 09 10:37 AM CDT
And actually, taxpayers do not have a say in who is appointed - it is a presidential power. If you follow the logic, we had our say on election day.
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+4

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