The Boston Globe editorializes:
In fact, Obama has been relatively restrained in his use of EPA regulations, overruling some of Jackson’s recommendations in light of the weak economy. And McCarthy is hardly an environmental firebrand. The efforts to hold off her confirmation seem designed to force her into a defensive posture.
This is the Globe, which considered Ed Kennedy worthy of the Senate and Elizabeth Warren also. Their definition of “restrained” may be looser than mine. Also, their cutoff for “firebrand” may be higher than mine.