Sending a signal? (Score 1)

Perhaps, the appointment is a simple Obama as sending a message that, unlike Bush, he believes in the sciences. It is impossible to tell if Chu will be a good administrator at the federal level at this point, but that could be said about any appointee. And don't forget, the day to day workings of a department is run by the bureaucrats, so Chu will initially only have influence on what goes on. Yes, he sets the directions, but the bureaucrats can carry it out or *not*, at least at the beginning. I for one am very happy about this type of appointment. To me, it shows Obama's desire to let science back into the administration.