What do the D.C. area’s large and growing deer herds have in common with the area’s federal political appointees? At least two things come to mind:

1. Many biologists and most political scientists agree there are more, of both, than in the days of George Washington.
2. One group (two legs) is definitely on the endangered species list while the other (four legs) is the target of a more humane, if tricky, safe sex campaign. Bottom line: Both herds are about to be thinned.

The last two years of a lame duck presidential time can be difficult for political appointees. And sometimes the career people who, if they can survive, will outlast their current bosses.

Political appointees serve at the pleasure of the Cabinet officer, administrator or director appointed by the President. Some get jobs as a political reward for campaign service, or because they come from the home state of their big boss. Many are super-capable and bring fresh air to the job. Others, not so much …

But time is never on the politicals’ side. The average person serves/lasts about 18 months before their boss leaves, they find a better job or they are quietly given 48 hours to get out of town.

Most people love deer until they run into one at 60 miles an hour, come down with Lyme disease or Bambi starts eating your roses, quickly morphing into Godzilla.

Political appointees are not so lovable.

Hunting (at least of animals) is frowned upon inside the Beltway. Various jurisdictions in Maryland, Virginia and within D.C., itself, are looking at various forms of birth control for the four-footed creatures. Their crime: They run out in front of cars. A lot. They carry the tick that carries Lyme disease. And, perhaps worst of all, they eat just about anything that grows, including fancy trees and flowerbeds.

The politicals face another kind of security problem. Within the next two years, they are almost certain to be out of a job and looking for other six-figure gigs.

Between now and November 2016, there will be lots of job shuffling, people coming and going and uncertainty in the workplace. The departure of Attorney General Eric Holder means that the confirmation hearings (fight) over his successor will be conducted by a lame duck Congress in the midst of a budget fight.

So what’s in it, or not, for you? Today on our Your Turn radio show, we’ll be talking with Jennifer Mattingly, director of government affairs for the law firm of Shaw Bransford & Roth. She said, “this is the time when we start seeing turnover happen — it’s always at the beginning and the end of administrations that you get the ‘lights are on and no one is home’ issue in political slots.” She’s been through a number of transitions and seen their impact on both political and career employees.

Later on we’ll be joined by Federal Times writer Andy Medici to look at a surge in discrimination complaints in government, VA’s latest problem and the possibility that your letter carrier may soon be your barista. The show begins at 10 a.m. EDT. You can email questions to me at: mcausey@federalnewsradio.com.

NEARLY USELESS FACTOID:

By Michael O’Connell

The American Film Institute ranked “man,” the chief antagonist from the Disney animated feature “Bambi”, as the 20th villain on its list of the 100 greatest heroes and villains in film. Man is the only villain on the list not actually seen on screen.

Source: IMDB.

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