Currently there are five vacancies on the USPS Board of Governors. By the end of this year it could possibly be EIGHT vacancies (not counting the PMG and DPMG) due to Senate inaction.
Currently, the board consists of chairman Mickey Barnett, a former Republican state senator from New Mexico and onetime aide to Senator Pete Domenici; vice chair James Bilbray, an-ex Democratic congressman from Nevada; Louis Giuliano, former CEO of ITT Corporation and a senior advisor to the Carlyle Group; and Ellen Williams, a lobbyist and former chairwoman of the Republican Party of Kentucky. The four existing members were all appointed by George W. Bush. So the decision-making entity for the Postal Service remained in partisan Republican hands.
On Monday, July 14th, Chairman Tom Carper (D-Del.) and Ranking Member Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) held a public hearing to consider the nominations of Hon. James C. Miller III (R) , Stephen Crawford (D) , David M. Bennett (D), and Victoria Reggie Kennedy (D) to be Governors of the U.S. Postal Service. If all nominees are confirmed that would leave the Board of Governors at 4 Republicans and 4 Democrats.
By law, no more than five Governors can be members of the same political party.
Louis J. Giuliano (R), James H. Bilbray (D), Ellen C. Williams (R), Dennis J. Toner (D), Carolyn Lewis Gallagher (R), James C. Miller III (R) , Alan C. Kessler (D), Mickey D. Barnett (R) , Vice Chairman Thurgood Marshall, Jr. (D)
The last time there were no vacancies on USPS Board of Governors the GOP has held majority (Miller, Gallagher, Williams, Barnett, Giuliano). In fact, the GOP has held majority on USPS Board of Governors during President George W. Bush’s 8 years AND 6 of 8 years President Barack Obama has been in office = 14 years.
Yesterday, President Obama broke the possible gridlock by nominating current Board of Governors chairman Mickey Barnett, a REPUBLICAN whose term ended in 2013. To recap, if all nominees are confirmed The USPS Board of Governors will be like the U.S. Supreme Court in the hands of Republicans.
At the Senate confirmation hearing on July 14th, James C. Miller III’s said:
Today I am here to ask you to confirm me for reappointment to the USPS Board of Governors. Dr. Demaris Miller, my wife of over half a century, has asked me several times: “Why are you doing this? You’ve been there, done that.” The reason? It is a matter of unfinished business. You see, I care about the U.S. Postal Service – its customers, its vendors, its employees, and others who depend upon it. USPS is a great institution, with a great history. It’s being pummeled from many quarters and must change its business model if it is to survive as anything other than a ward of the state. I spent endless hours attempting to make this happen, but did not succeed before my term ended in a full stop in 2011. I want to renew my efforts and, working with my colleagues, with you Members of Congress, with those in the Administration, and with other stakeholders, help bring this goal to fruition.
Miller was a member of the USPS Board of Governors from 2003-2012. He was elected chairman in 2005, 2006, and 2007. Just what exactly is Miller trying to achieve that has not happened in the NINE years of sitting on the Board?
Anyway, here is the announcement from the White House:
President Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individuals to key Administration posts:
Mickey D. Barnett, Nominee for Governor, Board of Governors of the United States Postal Service
Mickey D. Barnett is Managing Partner of the Barnett Law Firm. Previously, he served in the New Mexico State Senate from 1980 to 1984. Earlier in his career, he served as a Legislative Assistant to Senator Pete Domenici from 1972 to 1976. Mr. Barnett was first appointed to the Board of Governors of the United States Postal Service in 2006. He was a member of the Republican National Committee from 2000 to 2004 and a member of the Appellate Nominating Committee for the New Mexico Supreme Court of Appeals from 1995 to 2002. He has been a member of both the Federalist Society and the Christian Legal Society for more than 20 years. Mr. Barnett received a B.A. from Eastern New Mexico University and a J.D. from The George Washington University National Law Center.
I find it hilarious, in a sarcastic sort of way, how Republicans hate this President even tho Obama is a moderate Republican at best. Republicans will never believe this, mostly because the are brainless, But Republican policies have faired far better than Democrat policies since Obama took office.
Let the PO move to a 5 day delivery schedule and all this BS ends! Its nothing but a game and complete nonsense and our beloved union is driving it
Well, remember, Obama said and I quote, The post office is always having problems . this let’s you see That He Cares Less About Us . he Knows The Republicans Will Get Rid Of US.
Obama did this because he agree’s with many of the
changes the PMG is asking for. It’s his theory of
arriving at a bill which would include ending 6-day
delivery. He is cognizant of the fact that a republican
will vote this way! Unfortunately, he is throwing lot’s
of employee’s under the bus by doing it. He’s in his
second term and doesn’t need your vote anymore. Seems
a little harsh but it is what it is.
He just want to borrow R ‘s hands to finish PO, and no one complain on D, understand?
@Scott
It doesn’t matter if Obama is black or not. I didn’t vote for him, and it had nothing to do with the color of his skin. It had to do with the content of his character.
I can’t understand why Obama didn’t nominate a Democrat? Why would he nominate a Ratpublican? As bad as ex president Forrest Gump was, he at least stayed loyal to his party! He really did a number on the Postal Service with the health care prefunding, and his weapons of mass deception crap on America. After the workers campaigned for the President, the other side is rewarded. I just can’t believe it. The President should have nominated five democrats!
Whose side is Obama on? Regardless of party affiliation, a balanced BOG is more fair, but then again who in Washington gives a rat’s ass about fairness? We haven’t had a real Democrat in office since Carter, and unfortunately he just wasn’t strong enough. Good man, but too trusting to be in the criminal world of D.C.
I don’t know why Republicans hate Obama as much as they do. Well, I do, actually to a point. I don’t care what they say, Barack Obama is black, and too many Republican voters are racist. I hear them at work all the time using the “n” word over and over, only to “moderate” if a democrat is around. You can deny you’re racist all you want to, but while I won’t argue the point, if you’re a GOP voter and a fan of FOX News, Limbaugh or any GOP shill, I don’t believe you.
Plus, Obama has shit on labor, and don’t Republicans hate unions? Obama was only too happy to get the NALC endorsement even after Hillary Clinton lost in the primaries, but he has done nothing in the interest of letter carriers or the USPS at large. He supported five day delivery, has nominated a GOP for the BOG vacancy and otherwise turned a blind eye and deaf ear to the atrocious behavior of Pat Donahoe.
Obama is thinking about sending troops back to Iraq and shows no signs of leaving Afghanistan. We have only stirred up hornet nests so Halliburton and the defense contractors can make obscene amounts of money. Iraq is in turmoil. You can’t beat Afghanistan’s Taliban short of nuking the whole country. Next thing you know we’ll really fuck up and try to find an excuse to send military support to the Ukraine. You read it here first.
If that ain’t Republican behavior, what the hell is?
Thank God!! I think democrats have done just about enough damage in the past six years.
waiting breathlessly to see what “TSP” has to say about this.
Obama’s action prove he didn’t forget the NALC endorsement of Hilary. Backing 5 day delivery and now this.
Well given how reasonable the republicans have been about helping Obama on just about everything he’s wanted to do, I can certainly understand his reasoning behind making sure his own party is in the minority on the BOG. I guess he wants everyone to hate him, not just the opposition party lunatics!!
Whats wrong with a Republican? I thought the NALC supported either party as long as they supported letter carriers. If he is anti-letter carrier then why do the unions give money and support to Obama? DONT GIVE TO COLCPE!!!
Dear “Barry,” thanks a billion! See ya Saturday at the mail carriers rally. Love Darryl.