Lonely Council Meetings

Put this in the "Washington is broken" file:

Democrats Tie Up Bush on Economy

President Bush is working to prevent a recession, but the group of advisers meant to help him achieve this vital goal is woefully understaffed. In fact, the three-member Council of Economic Advisers is limping by with just a single adviser.

The reason: a lingering impasse between Senate Democrats and the Bush administration regarding the choice of nominees....

With the deadlock now dragging into March, the administration's chances of being able to fully staff the current CEA are dwindling. Already, one of Mr. Bush's nominees, Dennis Carlton of the University of Chicago, has taken his name out of the running. He had been waiting since August to be considered by the Senate.