Too many “czars”? Not really

David Weigel in The Washington Independent:

Take a look at Politico’s list of 31 “czars,” which shrinks to 30 without Van Jones. Republican strategists like Ed Rollins have used that “31? number to allege that there’s a problem here. But perhaps the most controversial people labeled “czars” by Beck and by reporters have gone through Senate confirmations. Cass Sunstein, whom Politico labels the “regulatory czar,” is waiting for the end of a Republican filibuster so he can lead the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, an office created in 1980. John Holdren, the director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, was confirmed by the Senate, unanimously, six months ago. But none of that seems to matter to their critics. Michelle Malkin, whom, again, Politico credited for making this an issue, relentlessly refers to Holdren as the “Science Czar” as if it was his actual title.

Let’s just go down the Politico list.

Pre-exisiting jobs:

“AIDS Czar” — Actually the Director of the Office of National AIDS Policy, created in 2001 by George W. Bush.

“Border Czar” — Actually the Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary for International Affairs and Special Representative for Border Affairs, created in 2003 by George W. Bush.

“California Water Czar” — Actually the Deputy Secretary of the Interior, who was given this extra portfolio by Secretary Ken Salazar in June.

“Central Region Czar” — The Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for the “Central Region,” on the Nation Security Council.

“Drug Czar” — Actually the Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, created in 1989 by George H.W. Bush.

“Faith-Based Czar” — Head of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, created in 2001 by George W. Bush.

“Intelligence Czar” — This is actually the Director of National Intelligence, a position created in 2005.

“TARP Czar” — Actually the Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Financial Stability of the United States Herb Allison, who was confirmed by the Senate in June.

“Weapons Czar” — Not actually an executive branch position, but the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics.

The anti-”czar” campaign that the wingnuts have embarked upon is yet another textbook example of their willingness to say anything, do anything to disrupt honest political discourse in this country — and a shameful example of their mindless hatred of the United States’ first black president. There are valid, rational criticisms to be made of Obama’s policies… but the claim that he has “too many czars” simply isn;t one of them.

UPDATE 09/09 11:43 AM EDT: It is now evident that the Republicans are determined to waste as much time as possible on this nonsense.