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Obama's TSA Nominee Pulls Out Under Fire

Says he was being used by those with a 'political agenda'

By the Associated Press

Posted Jan 20, 2010 8:09 AM CST

(AP) – Erroll Southers, Barack Obama's choice to lead the Transportation Security Administration, withdrew his name today, saying his nomination had become a lightning rod for those with a political agenda. Southers' confirmation has been blocked by Republican Sen. Jim DeMint, who says he was worried Southers... Read full story »

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TSA • Obama administration • Transportation Security Administration • Jim DeMint • Erroll Southers

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No TSA Chief in Detroit Crisis, Thanks to GOP Senator

Agency leaderless as DeMint blocks nom

(NEWSER) - Democratic leaders and airline industry officials are blaming GOP Sen. Jim DeMint for the fact that the Transportation Security Administration has no chief as it struggles to recover from the terrorist near-miss on Christmas Day. DeMint, chair of an aviation subcommittee, has been blocking the appointment of counterterrorism expert Erroll Southers, though two Senate committees have given him their blessing, because of fears he may allow security screeners to unionize. More»

Obama Picks Ex-Army Intel Chief to Head TSA

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(AP) - President Obama plans to appoint a former Army officer with a career in intelligence to lead the Transportation Security Administration, and he'll announce his choice, retired Gen. Robert Harding, today, an administration official tells the AP. The TSA administrator is the most important unfilled post in the Obama administration; the president's original pick, Erroll Southers, pulled out in the face of a tough GOP resistance in the Senate. More»

Reid Will Force Senate Vote on TSA Nominee

Sen. DeMint blocking transportation chief over unionization

(NEWSER) - Harry Reid plans a parliamentary move of his own to break Jim DeMint's hold on the nominee to run the Transportation Security Administration. When the Senate returns the week of Jan. 19, Reid will hold a vote to end DeMint's filibuster on the nomination of Erroll Southers, reports Talking Points Memo . He'll need 60 votes to succeed. More»

TSA Keeps You Safe by Patting Down Girls, Ages 4 and 7

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(NEWSER) - Thank goodness for the Transportation Security Administration. Who else could protect us from potential villains like Dina Frank, a 7-year-old girl with cerebral palsy who was subjected to an aggressive screening in New York on Monday? Frank requires crutches and leg braces to walk, so she had to get a pat down instead of going through the metal detectors. Her parents tell The Daily that agents were rough with her, and insisted on a full inspection even after a supervisor had checked her crutches, making them miss their flight. More»

Cops: LAX Screeners Let Drugs Go Through

Four TSA agents arrested, accused of taking bribes

(NEWSER) - The feds busted four TSA agents for allegedly helping drug traffickers smuggle suitcases packed with cocaine, marijuana, and meth through security at Los Angeles International Airport. The screeners are accused of accepting up to $2,400 in bribes for allowing the drugs to pass through X-ray machines and checkpoints, reports the Los Angeles Times . More»

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Obama's TSA Nominee Pulls Out Under Fire

Says he was being used by those with a 'political agenda'

TSA • Obama administration • Transportation Security Administration • Jim DeMint • Erroll Southers

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More Newser Stories

No TSA Chief in Detroit Crisis, Thanks to GOP Senator

Agency leaderless as DeMint blocks nom

Obama Picks Ex-Army Intel Chief to Head TSA

Robert Harding to replace blocked nominee Erroll Southers

Reid Will Force Senate Vote on TSA Nominee

Sen. DeMint blocking transportation chief over unionization

TSA Keeps You Safe by Patting Down Girls, Ages 4 and 7

...and the 7-year-old has cerebral palsy

Cops: LAX Screeners Let Drugs Go Through

Four TSA agents arrested, accused of taking bribes

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