Reader responses to Ned on Feds - Politics aside

DAILY BRIEFING

Reader responses to Ned on Feds - Converting politicals

Here are the responses we have received to the May 29 Ned on Feds column, "Converting politicals."

"Ned Lynch is correct to point out the issues that are raised when political appointees are converted into the career civil service. However, he is completely wrong to use HHS's use of the Presidential Management Intern (PMI) Program as an example. The PMI program is a hiring program for the civil service. PMI's are competitively screened by OPM through a thorough assessment center exercise that selects for: interest in Government service, demonstrated leadership, interpersonal and team skills, breadth and quality of accomplishments, analytical thinking, policy and program evaluation, written expression and oral communications.

To suggest that because HHS's PMI hires have masters degrees in arenas such as public administration, business management, and health administration that they somehow have a political agenda in common with Secretary Shalala is absurd.

By executive order, all PMI's must have "a commitment to a career in the analysis and management of public policies and programs." However, this does not seem to qualify as a political agenda, and this has been true for the 22 years of the program's existence, through Administrations of both parties.

Secretary Shalala has spoken publicly on many occassions about her use of the PMI program at HHS. At every one of these occassions Secretary Shalala has spoken about her heartfelt belief that it is important for the government to bring in men and women of talent, she has never referred to needing to bring in people with a certain set of political views or even a certain vision of the role of government.

There are those of us who would call Secretary Shalala's actions examples of good management, leadership, and a commitment to good government, rather than an example of nefarious partisan scheming. In fact, as a group, PMI's tend to be very committed to good management and the quality of governance, and to NOT have strongly partisan views. And almost none of them have experience in political campaigns.

Mr. Lynch would not be the first person to have confused the PMI program with the political appointment process, presumably because the program is selective and uses the word "Presidential." Alternatively, Mr. Lynch would be sadly misguided if he truly intended to suggest that for HHS to competitively hire well trained, non-political men and women who are committed to government service is somehow a partisan act."

-Matt Crouch
President
Presidential Management Alumni Group

"Here, here to Ned! I agree wholeheartedly with the proposal to change the ability to convert from political to career positions. All too often loyal, dedicated members of the federal workforce are denied the end goal of an entire career when a political appointee is slid into the "dream position". We, as federal, career employees, dedicate our efforts to doing the best possible job in whatever position we currently hold with an eye to improving the system and moving up the ladder. What incentive will keep highly qualified federal employees involved when years of effort are wiped away with the stroke of a handshake and sly wink?"

-Susan L. DeYoung Repair Program Manager
Program Management Office, Strategic Systems Programs
Mitchel Field, NY