Opacity.

A blurb in NBC's First Read this morning had me scratching my head:

Dennis Ross is coming to the West Wing, according to multiple reports. While he's losing his Iran portfolio with the State Department (one that was never completely defined), Ross will have more access to the president than he would have had as a special envoy. Although some are trying to paint this as some sort of negative fallout regarding Ross (see the Israeli press), it's clear that anyone who gets West Wing clearance is getting a promotion -- not a demotion. This Ross move actually furthers the narrative that this administration is putting together the most powerful West Wing in modern presidential history. The heft of personalities with West Wing access only grows, leading some to even wonder if this White House is diminishing the influence of actual cabinet secretaries.

That last statement is the money quote. But, I wish the reporter would take this analysis a step further.

We've all joked about the ever-growing number of Czars and special advisors that are being placed in charge of major projects for the Administration. But one has to worry about these chosen ones not getting the proper vetting and approval by the United States Senate. There is a reason the Senate has the final say on cabinet secretaries and other high level appointments. Bypassing this process is yet another example of Obama's lack of transparency when it matters.

Of course, considering everyone he sends through the Senate has problems paying their taxes, I guess I can understand trying to avoid it.

Ugh.