Jason Linkins Discusses Czars On MSNBC: "Nothing To Do With Russian Imperialism"

The Huffington Post's Jason Linkins was on MSNBC Thursday with conservative blogger Liz Mair, discussing the recent czar-mania. Linkins touched on the history of czars in the White House and took a look at some of the hysteria surrounding the Obama administration's use of appointees who don't require Congressional approval.

"We should be clear," Linkins said, "A czar is a shorthand that allows the media to express 'Border Czar' instead of 'Department Of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary For Border Affairs.' It has nothing to do with Russian imperialism."

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Comments

[chameleon59]

11:11 AM on 09/18/2009

As long as people are focused on what they're called, as long as people keep dancing up and down with glee and laughing at how stupid the controversy is or how hypocritical it is to protest "czars" under Obama when there have been more under other presidents - the real conversation is never had. This isn't about words, it's not about transparency, it's not even about the growth of government, as many would have you believe. Pure and simple, it's about power. By the time the Republicans in Congress get done spinning this, they will be demanding Congressional approval of any person who comes into contact with the president in any official capacity. There's a productive way to use the legislative arm of our government - as a personnel review board.

[maya2012]

01:10 PM on 09/19/2009

In addition to this being about power and control, the repubs know that Pres. Obama is serious about cleaning up corrpution, the environment, limiting pork, and generally cracking down on the "politics as usual" mentality that has been the format of Washington politics. They must stop them at all costs before they dig too deeply.

[pb28]

10:15 AM on 09/18/2009

Funny how Liz is now suddenly so concerned about czars when Obama is President. while not so much under Bush. Anyone else seeing a pattern here.

[DinSea]

09:57 AM on 09/18/2009

NO matter what "czar" points are valid, are they worthy to USURP OUR DISCUSSION ABOUT HEALTH CARE REFORM at this critical point in time when an American citizen dies every 12 minutes due to lack of health care? This is another preposterous distraction, no doubt financed by insurance interests.

[ladyoftheisland]

09:48 AM on 09/18/2009

The GOP has no sex scandal in the White House, they don't know what to do. Th y don't know what to do.

[belly dancer]

10:57 AM on 09/18/2009

Haha!...next they will attack the term Vice president..."what's the "vice"...huh?"..."Why do we even have a "Vice" President???...and what the hell do they mean by "Vice"????... I mean what exactly is Joe Bidens "vice"????..."you commie hippies think we wouldn't catch this????...you may have hidden it in plain sight to the public for over 200 years but now we want answers!!!!!!!"..

[factotem]

12:39 PM on 09/18/2009

beautifully observed.

[woody7]

09:35 AM on 09/18/2009

Oh I get it, If a Republican has czars it is ok, but if the first black president over overwhelmingly elected I might add, it is wrong and not transparent. Isn't part of the problem that the Repubs are fighting the nominations? I am kind of disappointed in Obama's administration in that they should have seen this _bulll$hit coming, but then again maybe this is part of their plan.....hmmmmmmm

[mayahbird]

09:12 AM on 09/18/2009

This is another one stupid of those arguments. We are fighting over a word that has been used by both parties in the past. How dumb is that ?
You can't use logic to fight this kind of stupidity. It needs an answer the same as we give small children that ask "why" too much. Just because!!!!

[Conk]

08:59 AM on 09/18/2009

No, it's about American Imperialism!

[mayahbird]

09:15 AM on 09/18/2009

You mean like Bush was dealing out to us?

[The Professor]

08:39 AM on 09/18/2009

It could be about racism as well, Jason forgot about that reason as well.

[belly dancer]

08:23 AM on 09/18/2009

Oh for cryin' out loud..hahaha...this whole thing would make for a great episode of South Park!

[ladyoftheisland]

08:06 AM on 09/18/2009

Honestly, I've always thought it a silly title, from Reagan drug czar on down the line. But if it wasn't "czar" it'd be something else. We all know Bill Clinton done wrong w/Monica but how much was paid to Ken Starr et all to come up with, what was it he came up with? How many of "our dollars"?

[NewArtz]

07:21 AM on 09/18/2009

More B-Czar concept confusion from the far right expressed to confuse rational thought.

Republicans are the dadaist of 21rst century politics.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dada

[yellowdoggie]

06:58 AM on 09/18/2009

This Liz Mair person is just CRYING OUT for an impersonation sketch by Kristen Weig.

[Shadow08]

06:04 AM on 09/18/2009

So, this is one of the "real issues" the republicans are tackling while Obama amuses himself with petty issues like health care, the economy, Guantanamo, Iraq, Afganistan and repairing the 8 yeardisaster known as the bush admin.

[ratmonkey1]

08:48 AM on 09/18/2009

Sorry Shadow but this is America & dumb wins every time.

[Shadow08]

06:02 AM on 09/18/2009

There used to be a head coach in the NBA by th3 name of Mike Fratello. He was called the "Czar of the telestrator" because of the way he utilkized that tool to diagram plays.

[Wazzat]

04:26 AM on 09/18/2009

the repugs have nothing valid to talk about so they create issues out of thin air, then repeat repeat repeat ad nauseum... why do they put this boring "consrevative "idoit on the air? Go Jason!!!!