“[T]he constant use of the filibuster against political appointments made it extraordinarily difficult for the White House to fire anyone because they didn’t know whether they’d be able to appoint a replacement — or, if they could appoint a replacement, who Republicans would actually accept. And the more political controversy there was around an issue the more dangerous a personnel change became.

This became a standard excuse for why no one is losing their job over the HealthCare.gov debacle: Firing any of the appointees in charge would just trigger a disastrous confirmation process that would lead the agency rudderless and chaotic for months — and possibly for the rest of Obama’s term.”

– http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/11/21/one-huge-effect-of-filibuster-reform-obama-can-actually-fire-people/?wprss=rss_ezra-klein