Critics Launch Challenges Against Obama's Nominees

September 15, 2009

The Washington Times (9/15) reports, "Emboldened by the ouster of presidential adviser Van Jones, conservative and business groups are launching fresh challenges aimed at derailing President Obama's nominees." The "latest of these targets is David Michaels, Mr. Obama's pick to head the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)." Republican critics said "they considered Mr. Michaels to be too close to trial lawyers because of his aggressive advocacy on their behalf." Keith Smith, the director of employment and labor policy at the NAM, said, "We are definitely troubled by Michaels' nomination. ... We will be urging the Senate committee to carefully review his nomination." In Michaels' case, the "objections initially stemmed from his writings on tactics that corporations have used to fend of class-action lawsuits." On Monday "came fresh objections, this time from Grover Norquist, founder of the conservative advocacy group Americans for Tax Reform."