rockota
06-13-2003, 06:55 AM
from FoxNews: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,89286,00.html
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WASHINGTON — The White House has successfully pressured a Republican senator to lift one of his little-known Senate powers that he used to delay promotions for more than 200 Air Force officers.
Sen. Larry Craig of Idaho (search) gave some ground Thursday in a dispute that has turned into a bitter standoff over an alleged promise by the Air Force to deliver eight C-130 transport planes to the Air National Guard base in Boise.
Craig said the Air Force has delivered four of the transport planes, but Congress spent millions of dollars to enlarge the base to accommodate all eight planes.
"They promised, they committed and we together, the taxpayers and us, made almost a $50 million investment to facilitate what I am now asking them to complete," Craig said.
"I'm very frustrated when after 12 months, the answer is no," he added.
To get his way, Craig resorted to a hardball tactic, infuriating the Air Force and Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld (search).
Using an obscure Senate power called a "hold," Craig has blocked the Senate from approving more than 200 Air Force promotions, among them, Lt. Gen. Buzz Moseley, commander of the air war in Iraq, to become Air Force vice chief of staff; Major Gen. John Rosa, slated to become the new commandant of the Air Force Academy; and Gen. Robert Fogelsong, who is to head the U.S. Air Forces in Europe.
Air Force officials told Fox News that they don't remember promising all eight planes to Craig, and add that they don't have extra planes to send to Idaho or anywhere else.
"We are deeply disappointed that the careers of young officers as well as those of senior officers ready to assume leadership roles are being held hostage to petty politics," a senior defense official said in a statement to Fox News.
Craig, a long-standing White House ally, said he supports President Bush's promotions but not more than he supports his National Guard base at home. By continuing the push, Craig is attempting to build up the Boise base in hopes of protecting it from the next round of base closings in 2005.
"I'm not questioning anybody's qualifications here at all. I'm questioning the ability of the Air Force to make timely, appropriate, financially well-based decisions," he said.
The White House said earlier it would like to see Craig permit the promotions.
"We respect Sen. Craig, but it's important for those nominations to proceed," said White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer.
On Thursday, the senator agreed to lift his hold on promotions of 127 Air Force captains and majors.
"I'm being flexible on my end," Craig said.
But 85 Air Force promotions affecting colonels and generals remain on hold, so unlike its soaring Thunderbirds, the Air Force's senior leaders remain grounded.
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WASHINGTON — The White House has successfully pressured a Republican senator to lift one of his little-known Senate powers that he used to delay promotions for more than 200 Air Force officers.
Sen. Larry Craig of Idaho (search) gave some ground Thursday in a dispute that has turned into a bitter standoff over an alleged promise by the Air Force to deliver eight C-130 transport planes to the Air National Guard base in Boise.
Craig said the Air Force has delivered four of the transport planes, but Congress spent millions of dollars to enlarge the base to accommodate all eight planes.
"They promised, they committed and we together, the taxpayers and us, made almost a $50 million investment to facilitate what I am now asking them to complete," Craig said.
"I'm very frustrated when after 12 months, the answer is no," he added.
To get his way, Craig resorted to a hardball tactic, infuriating the Air Force and Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld (search).
Using an obscure Senate power called a "hold," Craig has blocked the Senate from approving more than 200 Air Force promotions, among them, Lt. Gen. Buzz Moseley, commander of the air war in Iraq, to become Air Force vice chief of staff; Major Gen. John Rosa, slated to become the new commandant of the Air Force Academy; and Gen. Robert Fogelsong, who is to head the U.S. Air Forces in Europe.
Air Force officials told Fox News that they don't remember promising all eight planes to Craig, and add that they don't have extra planes to send to Idaho or anywhere else.
"We are deeply disappointed that the careers of young officers as well as those of senior officers ready to assume leadership roles are being held hostage to petty politics," a senior defense official said in a statement to Fox News.
Craig, a long-standing White House ally, said he supports President Bush's promotions but not more than he supports his National Guard base at home. By continuing the push, Craig is attempting to build up the Boise base in hopes of protecting it from the next round of base closings in 2005.
"I'm not questioning anybody's qualifications here at all. I'm questioning the ability of the Air Force to make timely, appropriate, financially well-based decisions," he said.
The White House said earlier it would like to see Craig permit the promotions.
"We respect Sen. Craig, but it's important for those nominations to proceed," said White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer.
On Thursday, the senator agreed to lift his hold on promotions of 127 Air Force captains and majors.
"I'm being flexible on my end," Craig said.
But 85 Air Force promotions affecting colonels and generals remain on hold, so unlike its soaring Thunderbirds, the Air Force's senior leaders remain grounded.