In a move that mocked career civil servants, decades of efforts to help developing countries stem population growth and the presidential appointments process itself,  President Bush in early 2006 granted a recess appointment to former Maryland state delegate and twice unsuccessful candidate for governor, Ellen Sauerbrey.  Sauerbrey, who ran Bush's first campaign in Maryland, will lead the State Department's bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration.  Bush named 16 others to administration posts using his power to skirt Senate confirmation hearings during congressional recesses.

Should presidents have the power to make recess appointments?  In all cases?  Defendants are guaranteed speedy trials by the constitution.  Maybe presidential nominees should enjoy the same protection.  If the Senate failed to provide speedy hearings, then and only then the president would be able to make a recess appointment.  Or maybe once the Senate delays for X weeks or months, the nominee is automatically put to a vote of the entire body.  The Senate would still have the right to filibuster with a 60-vote margin. 

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