we need very competent managers who know how to run a hospital and health care system. we owe our veterans nothing less than that. >> i want to ask you about some of the challenges that the president has had getting people appointed, right, and it's not all on him. earlier today he accused democrats of blocking his nominees. he was specifically citing his proposed ambassador to germany. here he is. >> we have angela merkel coming to the united states on friday. we still don't have our ambassador approved. and at this rate, and many of the papers checked it out yesterday and they actually said i was right. but it would be nine years before these people -- we have hundreds of people in waiting to be approved, and the democrats are taking 30 hours per person. they're taking the maximum time. they are obstructionists. that's very bad for our country. >> of course, senator, you formally held up that vote on richard grinnel. what's your response to the president? after all, the numbers are the