Filling the NGO Chairs on the MCC Board: Action At Last

Since its inception, the Millennium Challenge Corporation Board has governed with only 2 of the mandated 4 non-governmental members -- appointments that, per the MCA authorizing legislation, are nominated by the majority and minority leaders of the House and Senate. The Senate -- and then the President -- moved quickly to nominate and appoint Christine Todd Whitman and Ken Hackett, both of whom have served the institution and external stakeholders well. The three-year terms of Whitman and Hacket expire in July. Whitman has already announced her intent to leave, leaving another vacancy. Hackett's term could be renewed for a 2-year period on the recommendation of the Senate, an action I sincerely hope occurs as his hard-nosed, soft-hearted approach, complimented by his on-the-ground development experience, brings enormous credibility to the MCC.In the midst of what was looking to be three vacancies on the MCC Board, the President announced yesterday his intention to nominate Alan Patricof to be a member of the Board. Patricof's nomination would fill the vacancy reserved for the recommendation by the House (then Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi). Patricof's name has been in the rumor mill forever as the House Democrat's nominee but was apparently awaiting a Republican recommendation to go in tandem to the President. (Current rumor frontrunner: Lorne Craner, President of International Republican Institute. I've heard other names, but Craner's is the most cited.)So, let's say Patricof and Craner are appointed to the MCC Board and Hacket is offered (and accepts) a 2-year re-appointment. That leaves one vacant NGO seat to be recommended by Senate Republicans. Patricof brings solid private sector experience and an outside-the-beltway perspective and (hopefully) reach. Craner brings much USG policymaking experience, issue expertise in governance and democracy, and an understanding of Congressional operations and relations. What is sorely needed on the Board is more on-the-ground development experience and someone who can strategically transition the laudable principles of the Millennium Challenge Account from " Bush's flagship prorgram" to a bipartisan-endorsed innovative foreign assisatnce program.