Because of his unique position, and 15 year term (ending in 2013), David Walker may be one of the few people who has enough independent power to save the country.
From:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GAO and
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comptroller_G... The GAO is headed by the Comptroller General of the United States, a unique non-partisan position in the U.S. Government. The Comptroller General is appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate for a 15-year, non-renewable term. The President selects a nominee from a list of at least three individuals recommended by an 8 member commission of congressional leaders.
The Comptroller General may not be removed by the President, but only by Congress through impeachment or joint resolution for specific reasons. Since 1921, there have been only 7 Comptrollers General, and no formal attempt has ever been made to remove a Comptroller General. The long tenure of the Comptroller General and the manner of appointment and removal gives GAO a continuity of leadership and independence that is rare within government.
The position is currently filled by David M. Walker, a former Arthur Andersen partner and a Labor Department official in the Administrations of Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush. The seventh Comptroller General of the United States, Mr. Walker was appointed by President Clinton, and began serving his 15-year term in 1998.
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