Obama Outpaces Bush’s Recess Appointments

Human Events reports:

President Obama’s controversial recess appointment of Donald Berwick to head the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services marked the 18th recess appointment he’s made since taking office—more than President George W. Bush at this point in his presidency.

There’s a big distinction, however. Obama had 60 senators caucusing with Democrats for nearly seven months of his White House tenure. He’s had 58 or 59 at other times.

Contrast that with Bush, who took office in 2001 with the Senate split 50-50 and Vice President Dick Cheney casting the tie-breaking vote. That lasted less than six months. When former Sen. Jim Jeffords of Vermont stopped caucusing with Republicans, Democrats took control of the Senate. Bush made 15 recess appointments through July 7, 2002.