Who would put this guy in charge of a budget again?

While Jim Nussle was chair of the House Budget Committee he oversaw record deficits. I guess his record of charge and spend impressed the Bush Administration because today they have named Nussle as the White House budget director.

The Washington Post has the story and somehow comes to the conclusion that Nussle is a "hawk on spending issues." Wouldn't a nearly $9 trillion dollar deficit be enough evidence against that claim?

Still, the news of Portman's departure seemed to surprise lawmakers on the Hill, where there is not nearly the same affection for his successor, Nussle, who ran an unsuccessful campaign for governor of Iowa last year. Nussle had previously served as chairman of the House Budget committee and has been seen as a hawk on spending issues.

The Post does have an interesting statement from House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) about Nussle...

House Majority leader Steny H. Hoyer (D-Md.) was notably cool in his comments about Nussle when asked about the new appointment this morning. "Rob Portman was one of the best members I have ever served with, a person of keen intellect and a responsible legislator," he said.

All he would say of the new OMB director is that "Mr. Nussle is a Dane." Both Hoyer and Nussle are of Danish ancestry. "You can read into that into what you want to read into it, and what you want to read into it is correct," he added.

I have a feeling Nussle will fit right in with the others in the White House.