On Monday, he announced two top economic nominations that were well received by financial markets: Timothy Geithner for treasury secretary, and Lawrence Summers, for the National Economic Council. On Tuesday he named the current director of the Congressional Budget Office, Peter Orszag, as his budget director. Along with Orszag, Obama named Robert Nabors as deputy budget director. Nabors has been the top staff aide on the House Appropriations Committee, which prepares spending legislation. Obama also said he would have additional appointments to his economic team in the coming days.
Overall, I think he's made good choices in his appointees. His economic team is full of experience, and I think that by the time of his inauguration, they’ll be up and ready to go.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Obama's White House
Obama has supposedly selected Senator Hillary Clinton as secretary of state and Timothy J. Geithner as secretary of the Treasury, and it looks as if both will accept the positions. In choosing these two, Obama seems to be looking for pragmatists rather than ideologues when it comes to his cabinet.
18 Months?
During the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, leaders of the Pacific Rim nations seemed confident that the economic crisis would be over by mid 2010.
“We are convinced that we can overcome this crisis in a period of 18 months,” the leaders said in a statement. “We have already taken urgent and extraordinary steps to stabilize our financial sectors and strengthen economic growth.”
Although they seemed sure of this bold statement, they failed to provided details as to how this would be done, or how they planned on helping. Overall, I think putting such a distinct timeline on this economic crisis is more wishful thinking than anything else.
“We are convinced that we can overcome this crisis in a period of 18 months,” the leaders said in a statement. “We have already taken urgent and extraordinary steps to stabilize our financial sectors and strengthen economic growth.”
Although they seemed sure of this bold statement, they failed to provided details as to how this would be done, or how they planned on helping. Overall, I think putting such a distinct timeline on this economic crisis is more wishful thinking than anything else.
Rahm Emanuel
Obama's first official move was to ask Rahm Emanuel to serve as his Chief of Staff. I got this article from the New York Times, and I thought it summed up what he will bring to the White House pretty well.
An unusual hybrid of high-level experience as a top adviser to President Bill Clinton together with proven expertise as a Congressional leader and political strategist. Mr. Emanuel is also a close friend of Mr. Obama, a fellow Chicagoan.
As the No. 4 Democrat in the House and an architect of the Democratic majority, Mr. Emanuel knows Congress from the inside out after winning his seat in 2002. In the Clinton administration, he was aggressive, frequently profane and instrumental in shaping domestic policy on issues like health care, welfare and trade.
He earned the nickname Rahmbo for his determination and take-no-prisoners approach — an advantage when trying to bring a thorny issue to resolution, but a style that can be off-putting to those accustomed to gentility. In resigning his seat, Mr. Emanuel will be relinquishing a promising House career and aspirations to become speaker.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/06/us/politics/06emanuel.html
An unusual hybrid of high-level experience as a top adviser to President Bill Clinton together with proven expertise as a Congressional leader and political strategist. Mr. Emanuel is also a close friend of Mr. Obama, a fellow Chicagoan.
As the No. 4 Democrat in the House and an architect of the Democratic majority, Mr. Emanuel knows Congress from the inside out after winning his seat in 2002. In the Clinton administration, he was aggressive, frequently profane and instrumental in shaping domestic policy on issues like health care, welfare and trade.
He earned the nickname Rahmbo for his determination and take-no-prisoners approach — an advantage when trying to bring a thorny issue to resolution, but a style that can be off-putting to those accustomed to gentility. In resigning his seat, Mr. Emanuel will be relinquishing a promising House career and aspirations to become speaker.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/06/us/politics/06emanuel.html
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
The Mac is Back?
Pennslyvania, although it has voted Democratic in the last four presidential elections, is HUGE in this year's election. Analysts say neither candidate will have an easy time winning without Pennsylvania's 21 electoral votes.
Statewide polls consistently show McCain trailing Obama — though the race has gotten
tighter in the past few days. McCain is still keeping hope alive, though, saying, "We're a couple points behind in Pennsylvania. The pundits have written us off, just like they've done before. My friends, the Mac is back!!"
Personally, i dont think that McCain will take Pennsylvania, but it would mean serious trouble for Obama if he did...
Statewide polls consistently show McCain trailing Obama — though the race has gotten
tighter in the past few days. McCain is still keeping hope alive, though, saying, "We're a couple points behind in Pennsylvania. The pundits have written us off, just like they've done before. My friends, the Mac is back!!"
Personally, i dont think that McCain will take Pennsylvania, but it would mean serious trouble for Obama if he did...
We're Making History
No matter how the vote turns out, Americans will make history today. Obama could become the first black president. John McCain could become the oldest president elected to a first term. Sarah Palin could become the first woman elected vice president. But most importantly, all the phone calls and horrible TV ads and class blogs end today. I'm excited.
McCain's Final Surge
McCain completed a cross-country trek through seven battleground states before arriving at home in Phoenix early this morning.
McCain held seven rallies each in different areas, in an 18-hour quest that took him across three time zones.
McCain has planned events for today in Grand Junction and New Mexico, then a party at the Biltmore Hotel in Phoenix.
Not bad for an old man.
McCain held seven rallies each in different areas, in an 18-hour quest that took him across three time zones.
McCain has planned events for today in Grand Junction and New Mexico, then a party at the Biltmore Hotel in Phoenix.
Not bad for an old man.
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