The constitution, Republicans argue, calls for an enumeration, or simple headcount, of America. Evans filed notice that he will rescind former President Clinton's plan, put in place last fall, that was to leave the final decision with the Census Bureau director and a panel of career demographers. That panel has been meeting regularly for weeks to examine census data and determine whether adjustments were necessary. They were to wrap up their work by February 28 and announce a final decision by March 5. Evans, a longtime friend and political adviser to Bush, said the decision should rest with a Cabinet official.
Accountability is the cornerstone of America's participatory democracy.
I believe the decision-making authority for the 2000 Census should reside with the person selected by the president, approved by the U.S. Senate and accountable to the people. Republicans were buoyed by preliminary figures released this week that showed the 2000 census significantly reduced the undercount compared to a decade early. Democrats condemned Evans' move, announced late Friday afternoon, as a partisan power play. This is a replay of Florida and I can promise you, Americans will not miss the connection. But Rep. Dan Miller, R-Fla., chairman of the House subcommittee, said Congress intended in a law passed several years ago, to place the authority solely with the commerce secretary.