The Nation - News from Nov. 23, 1988

President Reagan invoked his constitutional powers to grant recess appointments to 32 people, including a number of controversial nominees. White House officials said the appointees were expected to assume their offices even though their appointments may expire Jan. 20 when George Bush becomes President. Recess appointees have the same powers as officials confirmed by the Senate. Among the diplomatic appointments expected to encounter opposition is one that will force the reassignment, and possibly the retirement, of the State Department’s senior career black ambassador, Terence A. Todman. Todman, who is serving in Denmark, will be replaced by Keith Lapham Brown, whose appointment was being pressed by Sen. William L. Armstrong (R-Colo.). Another appointee is former USC President John R. Hubbard--who was criticized in the 1970s for seeking donations from Middle East oil interests--to be ambassador to India.