Posted: Wed, Mar 13, 2002, 8:20 PM ET (0120 GMT)
The White House has withdrawn the nomination of a Marine general to be the deputy administrator of NASA, the day a Senate confirmation hearing was scheduled. NASA confirmed in a statement Wednesday that the White House had withdrawn the nomination of Marine Corps Major General Charles Bolden, a former astronaut, to be the next deputy administrator, the number two position within NASA. NASA officials said that the decision was made so that Bolden, currently commander of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, can continue to serve in the war against terrorism. However, both Space News and NASA Watch reported that the nomination had met with opposition among those in the government who do not believe that active duty military officers should fill civilian positions. NASA Watch indicated that Senator Carl Levin, chairman of the Armed Services Committee, asked the White House if there was any precedent for putting an active military officer in such a post. No new nominee, nor a timeline for naming one, was announced.

Related Links:

•  NASA press release
•  Space News (subscribers only) article
•  NASA Watch