(To Whom It May Concern: The following analysis may be distributed freely without modification.)

Both California Senators have begun to formulate their responses to the public outcry over Gaddi H. Vasquez's nomination. Both have sent out their respective form letters to constituents. In the case of Senator Feinstein, it is not yet clear which way she will turn. Yet the language of her letter indicates that she remains open to the possibility of a vote against Vasquez, as she states that she will "keep your comments in mind if the nomination of Gaddi Vasquez comes to the floor of the Senate for a vote." The message is different from that of her senatorial counterpart, Barbara Boxer, in that Senator Feinstein does not state her position, and appears to have reserved judgement on the issue.

The Senate's Executive Calendar for Friday, Dec. 14, 2001 (Calendar No. 641, Message No. 1106) shows that Gaddi H. Vasquez is nominated to be Director of the Peace Corps. This signifies that the nomination will soon be heard and considered by the full Senate or those Senators in attendance when the nominee is presented. Both Senator Feinstein’s and Senator Boxer’s form letters were dated after Dec. 14th, yet both refer to the nomination as though it were something that might happen, as opposed to something that will happen:

(Senator Feinstein: “...if the nomination of Gaddi
Vasquez comes to the floor of the Senate for a vote." (Dec. 18, 2001))
(Senator Boxer: “if his nomination comes before the Senate,...” (Jan. 2, 2002))

Senator Boxer (an ordinarily progressive elected official) presents a different case than Senator Feinstein, however. She is well aware that Gaddi Vasquez's nomination will be voted on soon, as she will be the person charged with presenting him to the Senate. Her position on Gaddi Vasquez is clear: "I am in favor of Mr. Vasquez's appointment, and if his nomination comes before the Senate, I intend to vote for him." Regarding nominations, she makes the statement that "in each case, I have carefully considered the nominee's qualifications for the position. I intend to continue evaluating each nominee based on what they have done and said." The proverbial dead horse returns: Gaddi Vasquez faced a recall election, a grand jury investigation and a highly critical Securities and Exchange Commission report (1996) after facilitating the 1.7 billion dollar bankruptcy of Orange County. Despite this, Senator Boxer is somehow able to deem her favorable review and consideration of the nominee's qualifications as "careful." Similarly, in her next statement, in which she claims to evaluate nominees based on what they have done and said, we are left with the conclusion that she is "O.K." with accepting a nominee who will perjure himself. Mr. Vasquez did this three times in front of the Senate Foreign Relations committee (see "Did Gaddi Vasquez Mislead the Senate?" at: http://PeaceCorpsOnline.org/messages/messages/2629/6274.html?1008193357). In the final analysis, it is clear that Senator Boxer's choice regarding this nominee is not based on qualifications or even on what Mr. Vasquez has "done and said." It is a purely political decision, which will strengthen her support network outside of her own party.

Both of these letters are indicative of the need for RPCVs to continue to contact their respective Senators. It is increasingly apparent that decisions regarding the Peace Corps are falling into the hands of a select few; it thus behooves us as RPCVs to make each of ourselves one of the many to express dissent at the incompetence and lack of basic values that we observe to be passing for government service. Finally, it is also apparent, and critical, that we identify and stop potentially bad players _before_ they are granted nominations which would give them the position of near-certain approval; this is a difficult but not impossible task which we must begin work on immediately.

The letters of the California Senators are attached for the reader to review.

(Note: Names and addresses in original letters have been replaced with text in parentheses.)

From:
Senator Dianne Feinstein
To:
{constituent address}

Subject:
Senator Dianne Feinstein responding to your message
Date:
Tue, 18 Dec 2001 10:14:58 -0500


December 18, 2001


{constituent name}
{constituent address}

Dear {constituent name}:

Thank you for writing to me about Gaddi Vasquez's
appointment as Peace Corps Director.

Please know that I want to ensure that any nominee
confirmed to this important post will possess a willingness to meet
the goals and the needs of the Peace Corps. I will certainly keep
your comments in mind if the nomination of Gaddi Vasquez comes
to the floor of the Senate for a vote.

Again, thank you for your letter. Should you have further
questions or comments, on this or any other issue, please do not
hesitate to call my Washington, D.C. staff at (202) 224-3841.


Sincerely yours,

Dianne Feinstein
United States Senator

http://feinstein.senate.gov

---------------------------------------------------

Subject:
Responding to your message
Date:
Wed, 2 Jan 2002 16:58:16 -0500
From:
Senator Barbara Boxer
To:
{constituent address}


January 2, 2002

{constituent name}
{constituent address}

Dear {constituent name}:

Thank you for contacting me regarding
the nomination of Guadalupe Vasquez as
Director of the Peace Corps. I welcome this
opportunity to review your comments.

As you may know, I have supported some
of President Bush's nominees and opposed
others. In each case, I have carefully
considered the nominee's qualifications for
the position. I intend to continue
evaluating each nominee based on what they
have done and said. I will support nominees
that will implement our laws, balance
competing interests wisely, and serve the
best interests of our citizens.

I am in favor of Mr. Vasquez's
appointment, and if his nomination comes
before the Senate, I intend to vote for him.

Thank you for contacting me about this
important issue. I will take your views into
consideration if this nomination comes before
the Senate.

By Lisa (200.37.181.253) on Monday, November 17, 2003 - 4:52 pm: Edit Post

I'm doing a report on California in my social studies class, so it would be helpful if one of the senators emailed me to tell me some political things about California. Thank you.