AP: At Least 26 Cases Of Bushies Burrowing In

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INSIDE WASHINGTON: Appointees find US gov't jobs

INSIDE WASHINGTON: Some Bush picks to keep collecting federal paychecks after Obama takes over

BRETT J. BLACKLEDGE
AP News

Jan 16, 2009 05:29 EST


Ellen Engleman Conners lost her shot at a second term as President George W. Bush's choice to lead the National Transportation Safety Board after others at the agency accused the political appointee of poor management. But that didn't stop her from winning another government job.

As the White House changes hands, some Bush appointees like Conners will continue their government work under President Barack Obama after quietly transferring to career positions. A review by The Associated Press identified at least 26 such cases approved during Bush's final year in office, but there likely are even more: The Bush administration has declined for now to provide details of the government job transfers during the last six months of his term, when such transfers referred to as "burrowing" were expected to increase.

In the current economy, with the highest unemployment levels in at least 16 years, holding onto a job with a steady paycheck is looking better and better. A federal civil service job — with good security, flexible schedules, health care coverage and retirement benefits that are among the best available — can be a real plum.

"There needs to be transparency," said John Gage, who leads the largest federal workers' union, the American Federation of Government Employees. "These guys have been burrowing in for the past two years or so."

The problem, Gage and others say, is partisan administrations plant their loyal supporters in government jobs as part of a political legacy, regardless of their experience or qualifications. The practice, while not unique to the Bush administration, attracted more criticism after last year's revelations that political appointees at the Justice Department were quizzing job applicants on political and social views.

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