This paper demonstrates the problems that those in public administration have through evaluating the role of David Kessler, former Commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. This paper compares and contrasts the perspectives from Kesslers experiences to the qualities of public administration presented in selected chapters from Peter Kobraks book The Political Environment of Public Management. The comparison of theory and practice helps clarify how and why the realistic outcome is difficult to achieve in a satisfactory manner for all involved.