Russia had only 30 czars -- Obama has 45

By: David Freddoso | 10/09/11 10:28 PM

From the time the Russian title of "Czar" (or Caesar) was first used in the 16th Century to describe the Emperors of Russia, through the communist revolution of 1917, Russia had only about thirty czars. President Obama's administration has 45, according to a new report from the conservative watchdog group Judicial Watch.

President Obama was not the first to have "czars," nor have all the positions that go by that informal name fallen within the lines of this report. But Obama's use of policy advisors who "enjoy positions of power and authority in the administration and yet have not been subjected to vetting and confirmation by the U.S. Senate" is unprecedented in several ways, the report suggests:

President Barack Obama has installed personal advisors in czar positions in the White House and has created new czar positions elsewhere in the Executive Branch. As of the date of this report, the number of czars that have been appointed by the President, or by others in his administration, appears to total 45. In addition, there are as many as 18 other unfilled or planned czar positions.

Many of these ‘czars’ are unconfirmed by the Senate and are largely unaccountable to Congress. Further, their activities are often outside the reach of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), creating a veil of secrecy about their precise role in the administration.”

I find this the most intriguing assertion within the release announcing the report:

Czars appointees have seized unprecedented control over major aspects of government policy and programs. In some instances, unconfirmed czars have authority, in seeming violation of the U.S. Constitution, over certain Senate-confirmed officers.

There's something for your Columbus Day reading -- it's available at www.judicialwatch.org.