CLEAN UP YOUR ACT
Updated Thursday, January 31, 2008 08:20 PM
Candidates for appointments are going to be examined to some extent - or to an absolutely penetrating extent - before any appointment is made. There are several reasons which drive these searches into the life and history of candidates:
1. The risk of embarrassment to the President and the President's administration: The prospective appointee has decide if there is something in his or her life or life history which would make the President look bad.
2. Would the security of the nation be at risk: Can the candidate qualify for a security clearance?
3. Is the candidate qualified for the position? Are technical qualifications met - degrees, licenses, and other credentialing matters? In a broader sense, does the candidate have a background that fits the potential appointment.
Background Issues which you should consider!
Addictions: The United States has always had a certain affection for drunks and drinking - so alcohol doesn't seem to be a big issue in most investigations - although the negative facts may have an impact - DUI's - injuries to others - abusive conduct - that sort of thing is surely going to be a negative qualification. Some sort of treatment - particularly successful treatment can abrogate a problem. Illegal addictions always cause problems and drugs - illegal medications - are problems. (That is not to suggest that government officials are not users of illegal drugs - just that they can cause issues during the application process for a new candidate.) Tobacco addiction seems never to be an issue.
Sexual Preference: Homosexuality and some other sexual preferences used to be a guarantee of trouble for candidates. Illegal sexual conduct which is discovered during a candidate investigation is likely to be a problem - pedophilia, rape, public exposure - treated or not - will obviously be a problem if discovered. General sexual preference, if not otherwise illegal, is generally not a determining issue. Illegal sexual conduct while in office can accelerate amount of trouble which you will incur - it is quite logically considered a violation of the public trust placed in you by the President or the Administration.
Prior Criminal Record: Divulge any prior criminal convictions - it is a guarantee that the vetting process will turn up anything on the public record. Depending on the nature of the crime and its current status - this may or not be a problem in an appointment - but be sure to divulge every detail.
Civil Actions: Civil litigation - actual or potential - can be trouble. Divulge them fully, and let the decision makers on the appointment determine the impact. Credit issues, bad credit reports and potential litigation on those debts are potential reasons to deny an appointment. This is one of the most difficult areas for decision makers, and they tend to deny appointments when the matters are pending, unexplained, or unresolved.
Illness: Unless an illness somehow inhibits the ability of a candidate to do the service involved in an appointments, or the illness is communicable-they are usually irrelevant, and may even be a qualification for service. Managed mental illness is usually not an issue in the vetting process.
Political Views: This one cuts both ways. Many positions require a member of a particular party - not necessarily the party of the President - be appointed. Many boards and commissions have some sort of minority or other party representation as a matter of the law which created the position. Political positions of a candidate which directly conflict with those of the President or the Administration are less likely to be helpful. There are exceptions when those dissenting views provide credibility for the President.
Relationships: Family and associates can instantly make a candidate unacceptable if they have disqualifications mentioned above which somehow directly influence or impact the candidate. This is one of the really tricky areas in a candidate's vita which can prevent an appointment.
Personality Characteristics: At some point in the selection process, the subtleties of interpersonal relationships checks in and becomes a part of the mix. Matters of style and methods of operation can become a issue during the interview process. You have to consider your methods of dealing with people to determine what you can do to fit the position you are considering.
Financial Condition: A candidates personal financial condition is of huge importance. Most government appointments carry only moderate income. While expenses of travel and expenses of government business are generally covered, the other costs can be prohibitive and destroy a candidate and any family. While those selecting candidates which check for financial problems and flaws - often they assume you know your own financial status and leave judgments about that to you. Be careful you can afford public service for a relatively short period of time - most appointees find the cost of service high - sometimes prohibitive!
A suggestion: Go to the White House page on appointments and consider all of the information there, and look at the application forms. Give those forms a test run on yourself to see if you pass the first of the formal steps.
If you have other questions on these subjects, please direct them to us at Director@Presidential-Appointments.org.
Copyright John Isaacson 2004-2008
Contact: Director@Presidential-Appointments.org or 1 617 504 3699