Obama: Pick staff based on ability, not just political ideology.

Back in 1980 I had the opportunity to work with J. Lynn Helms, then Chairman of Piper Aircraft, on a campaign to convert the former Hamilton Air Force base in Marin County, California into a general aviation airport. I was at the time running mostly republican political campaigns in California. But as a private pilot and former Air Force officer, I thought it vital we make the best use of this vital aviation asset. So I was actively seeking help from general aviation companies such as Piper.
I flew with Lynn in his airplane to show him first-hand what a valuable asset Hamilton could be for general aviation, and it would help ease congestion at other bay area airports such as Oakland and San Francisco International. We hit it off well, and continued to work on aviation-oriented issues. Then when Ronald Reagan was elected President in 1981, he appointed J. Lynn Helms to be Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration.
Shortly after that, Helms called me to ask if I would consider being his head of Public Affairs, essentially being the chief spokesman for the FAA. I jumped at the chance, and he assured me that with my aviation and media background, along with my Republican credentials, White House approval of my appointment would not be a problem.
Unfortunately it was not that easy. Right wing conservative gatekeepers overseeing political appointments for the new administration knew of political campaigns I had run for moderate Republican candidates in California. They told Helms I was “too moderate” for appointment. With much apology, Helms said his hands were tied. I was never given the chance and to this day feel betrayed by “back room ideologues” who put their own political agenda ahead of ability.
I am not naïve enough to believe this does go on. I just hope that someone with the talent to do a good job in the Obama Administration is given an opportunity without first being judged by political correctness.
(Brian Banmiller is a national Business Correspondent for CBS News Radio, free lance writer and public speaker. The former television business news anchor in San Francisco can be reached at brian@banmilleronbusiness.com .)