The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) carries out many important responsibilities for the President and the American people but none is more important than our statutory responsibility to ensure the best qualified candidates are selected for Federal jobs after fair and open competition. In light of the historical origins of the civil service system, OPM's role as guardian of the merit system is especially important when a Federal agency selects a political appointee for a position in the civil service. While political appointees may not be excluded from consideration for Federal jobs because of their political affiliation, they must not be given preference or special advantages.

Pursuant to our oversight authority under 5 U.S.C. Section 1104(b)(2) and 5 CFR Section 5.2, OPM requires Federal agencies to seek our approval before selecting a political appointee for a competitive service position during a Presidential election year. OPM's oversight in this area safeguards merit system principles and assures fair and open competition free from political influence. However, if the proposed civil service job is below the Senior Executive Service (SES) level, OPM's review has been limited only to competitive service appointments and only those appointments that take place during a Presidential election year. In contrast, OPM conducts merit staffing reviews of proposed SES appointments whenever they occur.

In no case may an agency make an appointment of the type described below without written authorization from OPM:

The appointment of a current political Schedule A or Schedule C Executive Branch employee or a former political Schedule A or Schedule C Executive Branch employee who held the position within the last five years to a competitive or non-political excepted service position under title 5 of the U.S. Code.

The appointment of a current Non-career SES Executive Branch employee or a former Non-career SES Executive Branch employee who held the position within the last five years to a competitive or non-political excepted service position under title 5 of the U.S. Code.

"the Obama administration is taking steps to crack down on one of the Bushies' favored tactics for politicizing government: burrowing."

I like this one, no matter who the president is. Good for you, Mr. President.

I just happen to agree with this.

The United state's march to thirdworldom is doing great under Obama. Banana Republic here we come.

This is scary stuff.

Just for perspective: remember the Democrats threatened to throw Bush administration people in jail for firing United States Attorneys who happened to be Democrats. In that case, it was clear as crystal that U.S. Attorneys serve at the pleasure of the President and he can fire them whenever he wants. In this case, these people are now civil service employees who do not serve at the pleasure of the President and cannot be fired just because they are Republicans. in fact, the law is very clear on that point.

UPDATE: Media Matters and the left came out quickly to deny this one. That in and of itself means we hit the nail on the head. But because it is painfully obvious the guys at Media Matters are ignorant about what's happening and just feel the need to viscerally defend everything Obama does, let's explain this.

The administration is going to review the merit qualifications of political appointees. What that means is that if the administration finds any irregularities in moving a political appointee into the merit based system, including not being the best pick for the job when they were put into the job five years ago, the administration can freeze them out and given them the boot. In every political system, political appointees are placed into the civil service based on who they know, regardless of their overall merit for the job. It just happens. So now the Obama administration will look at every minor technicality as a way to boot Republicans. And the Republicans will not be able to sue until after they have made their way through the administrative process, including administrative law judge types appointed by Obama. And then it'll typically be an appeal with a record already built up under Obama appointees unfavorable to the terminated employee.

"Just for perspective: remember the Democrats threatened to throw Bush administration people in jail for firing United States Attorneys who happened to be Democrats."
"UPDATE: Media Matters and the left came out quickly to deny this one."

Well, probably because the USAs "happened to be" Republicans.

"That in and of itself means we hit the nail on the head."

Riiiiiiight, because when fact-checking organizations tell you you're wrong, that usually means -- to a Republican -- she's right.

Once again, Murphy finds comfort in a bald-faced lie.

Media Matters are a bunch of left-wing morons who very few people pay attention too. I mean, when they get a chance they bash Marc Rudov knowing it will generate controversy and people will visit their loser website. Otherwise thos losers have nothing, nothing that anybody is interested in. Boring Media Matters, zzzzzzzz.

"Media Matters are a bunch of left-wing morons who very few people pay attention too(sic)"

Just to see if you have any connection to reality, do you actually believe the initial claim: that the USAs fired in the middle of Bush's administration -- you know, the ones Bush appointed -- were Democrats?

Matters are a bunch of left-wing morons

#8 | Posted by member2586 at 2009-11-15 06:17 PM | Reply | Flag: Flag: (Choose)
FunnyNewsworthyOffensiveAbusiv
e

careful now.

"Media Matters are a bunch of left-wing morons who very few people pay attention too(sic)"

It was founded by a former rightie who finally, one day realized the error of his ways. They provide facts to shoot down right wing talking points and it makes the righties angry though the facts are generally indisputable. The right hates facts and anyone who digs them out and exposes their lies.

Does he mean it's kinda but not exactly like he'll do with his czars.

This guy is one dumb sob to think a majority of Americans believe anything he says.

Never a bigger liar and hypocrite as potus.

The United state's march to thirdworldom is doing great under Obama.

So appointing friends to high places is democracy in action but de-politicising the civil service is banana republic stuff?

The rightwingnuts are accelerating their march to absolute stupidity.

"Does he mean it's kinda but not exactly like he'll do with his czars."

I used to think your posts were at least half way intelligent Washboard, now you seem to have devolved into a talking point repeater.
You know as well as I do that Presidents had "czars" all the way back to Nixon. Get real, that's a stupid post, you should be embarrassed.

Boy, I've obviously hit a nerve with the Media Matters comment.

Bwahahahahahahahaha!

Get real, that's a stupid post, you should be embarrassed.

Danni, after loyally supporting the failed policies of Bush and the boys for 8 years, and cheerfully voting for SARAH!!,do you really think the rightwingnuts have the capacity for embarrassment?

They just get dumber and dumber-even member is sliding into rightnut territory.

Embarassing is Media Loser Matters. What a disgrace those losers are.

"Boy, I've obviously hit a nerve with the Media Matters comment. "

Actually, all you've done is look ridiculous. You don't seem to be able to address the issue, so you've decided to kill the messenger.

Care to take a swipe at post #9?

It's difficult for Obama to be taken seriously given his propensity for czar appointments. It's difficult to take Obama seriously about anything any longer. That window closed with 10.2% unemployment. It would appear to most reasonable citizens that the President would have more pressing issues than some questionable civil service appointments. Does he need another czar to handle the dilemma ?

Czars are nothing new for American Presidents.

"President Obama however, has become notorious for his appointment of czars, selecting at least 32 different of these advisers and attempting to add even more."

Thanks Larry. You've just validated a point in my argument. Any President responsible for appointing Van Jones, and Kevin Jennings; to their respective posts; might want to lie low when it come to pointing fingers.

"It's difficult for Obama to be taken seriously given his propensity for czar appointments. It's difficult to take Obama seriously about anything any longer. That window closed with 10.2% unemployment"

Did it do the same for Reagan when he had double-digit inflation and a czar, or do you reserve your disdain only for Presidents with (D)s after their name?

I don't think your smart enough to understand this article... So read the next one..

"I don't think your smart enough to understand this article"

Ya gotta love the self-retorting retort.

Thanks Larry. You've just validated a point in my argument. Any President responsible for appointing Van Jones, and Kevin Jennings; to their respective posts; might want to lie low when it come to pointing fingers.

#21 | Posted by tjb357452 at 2009-11-16 12:43 AM | Reply | Flag: Flag: (Choose)
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It isn't Obama who lambasted Him for having Czars. That would be Your folks on the Right. So sorry.

Larry

"Boy, I've obviously hit a nerve with the Media Matters comment."

Yeah, the nerve that causes me to laugh. Your pathetic fear of Media Matters is hilarious.

I mean, when they get a chance they bash Marc Rudov knowing it will generate controversy and people will visit their loser website.

8 | Posted by member2586

"Obama Promises Asian Creditors He Won't Let Borrowing Spiral Out of Control"

"Obama assured Asia today that US borrowing would not spiral out of control
Just as soon as he passes his nationalized health care plan that will raise the costs of health care by $289 billion over the next 10 years."

I wonder how many "burrowed" politicians there are in Chicago politics?

All of them?

Or would that be an exaggeration?

The right hates facts and anyone who digs them out and exposes their lies.

#11 | Posted by danni

You gotta be shittin. The left runs on emotions, not facts.

This is funny! This tactic will last just long enough for Obama to get rid of all of Bushes buddies and install all of his buddies. Politics as usual. Except the new employees haven't filed a tax return in years and read the communist manifesto to their kids before bed.

So, this means that an administration not only can plant their moles (as they will have influence on the hiring AND review process) but can oust previous moles?

Sound like just another control issues and nothing to do with the altruistic nature of government.

I approve as Bush made the mistake of leaving too many Clinton appointees in place. Now that this is being established the next Republication can carry though with eliminating the dem appointees.

Going to be difficult hiring people of quality when they realize their job may only last four years (or less depending how long the administration is in place before they get hired).

You gotta be shittin. The left runs on emotions, not facts.

#30 | Posted by Sniper at 2009-11-16 11:25 AM | Reply |

LOL you really gotta read more. Starting with your own posts.