Obama's Cabinet Taking Shape: Geithner For Treasury, Richardson At Commerce
Those Cabinet appointments are finally starting to come -- and they're coming fast, too, just at a time when a tumbling economy and uncertain marketplace need to know who they're dealing with.
Barack Obama has reportedly made his picks for two top economic jobs in the Cabinet: Timothy Geithner, the current president of the New York Federal Reserve Bank, will be Secretary of the Treasury; and Bill Richardson will become Secretary of Commerce.
Geithner served in the Treasury Department during the Clinton years, working under Bill's economic brain trust of Robert Rubin and Larry Summers, and has received favorable reviews for his performance at the New York Fed. In short, this is someone who will start off on a much better footing with Wall St. than Henry Paulson currently has right now -- though he'll face big challenge in maintaining any good will he has while he deals with the disastrous problems we're all facing.
Richardson was often spoken about for foreign-policy roles, but the imminent selection of Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State seems to have put him back in a domestic portfolio. His selection will probably also satisfy any agitation from Hispanic interest groups that they be represented in the Cabinet.
Late Update: As for Hillary, a spokesperson for the Senator says reports she's accepted the State gig are "premature."
Geithner announced, Dow jumps up 300 points.
November 21, 2008 3:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
Somebody in an earlier thread called for Geithner to get a spot in the cabinet. I forget who it was, but if you want to identify yourself now, I'll give you a picture of a kitten!
November 21, 2008 3:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
Goodie, now maybe these MSM talking heads can finally shut the hell up. I think the talking heads on various networks [MSNBC & CNN the only one's worth watching] have complained so much-- and about small things...
Who cares about leaks-- unless they have to do with the leaks in the dam we call our free market system. These are the leaks that need to be discussed, and I thought it was good reporting when a network was able to find out something first before another network did; talk about changing times I guess.
Our nation is about to hit rock bottom and stupidity is the only thing worth splattering on the screen. I know a few laughs never hurt every now and then, but some of the monolog and reporting in becoming monotonous. Come on people, wise up.
November 21, 2008 3:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
Considering that Kennedy included such mistakes as Rusk and McNamara among his cabinet picks, I'd say that Obama is lining up the best team in modern American history. He may really put smiles on our faces with his EPA and UN choices.
November 22, 2008 6:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Geithner?! What happened to the coronation of Summers, who if MSM is to be believed, is THE best choice for Treasury?
Were there other factors behind favoring Geithner over Summers? After all, if Obama wasn't hesitant in selecting Clinton, then Summers' tenure at Harvard shouldn't have deterred Obama from selecting Larry (if indeed he was the optimum choice).
November 21, 2008 3:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is probably a big one as I can't see Summers playing well with Congress. Also Summers Harvard remarks really played against him politically and finally Obama wanted a fresh face rather than a retread.
Summers will likely get a senior economic advisory role with Obama, but it will be a behind-the-scenes appointment.
November 21, 2008 3:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
Summers has been out the game. Geithner as Fed guv in NY has had the most prominent field command in trying to turn back the crisis. I would think it is the immediate experience that was crucial in the pick.
November 21, 2008 4:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm happy with this pick, partly because what I've read about Geithner seems pretty good, but also because we don't have to deal with all the Summers baggage.
November 21, 2008 3:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wow. Big Friday. Glad Richardson is in the mix.
November 21, 2008 3:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
Me too. Yeah, I'm a bit biased (he's my gov), but he's damn capable.
November 21, 2008 3:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
I agree. "Capable" sums it up nicely. Meanwhile, I am very relieved to see that we dodged the Rubin/Summers bullet.
November 21, 2008 4:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
What's your opinion of Lt. Governor (and soon to be plain old "Governor") Diane Denish?
November 21, 2008 5:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is looking pretty good.
November 21, 2008 3:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
The great thing about this is that the 4 Democratic candidates I liked the most early in the primaries were: Obama, Clinton, Biden, and Richardson.
This is turning into my dream cabinet...
November 21, 2008 3:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
Nah, Richardson's not a real hispanic. I mean c'mon, RICHARDSON? What kind of name is that?
November 21, 2008 3:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
Reechardson.
I second Josh's call that he grow out his beard. I know, I know, Democrats can only wear facial hair after losing an election/primary, but it really did suit him.
November 21, 2008 4:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, I kept my facial hair when I ran for city council as a Dem. Of course I did lose, so maybe you have something there.
November 21, 2008 9:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Now for an actual issue. Did Geithner's actions as head of the NY Fed help lead to the domino effect we are now experiencing? It is now universally accepted that it was bad policy to let Lehman fail, as it has led to the uncertain and precarious situation we still find ourselves in. Does Mr. Geithner care to let us know what he thinks about this, and whether he's changed his tune, or what?
I really am serious, as I honestly have no idea. It just seems like that should be issue #1 for Geithner.
November 21, 2008 3:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, that's got to be a bummer for richardson. Commerce isn't a big gig. I think he would have been much better in the foreign policy/national security realm.
November 21, 2008 3:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, look at it this way - Richardon was the Sec of Energy under Clinton. Now he is the Sec of Commerce under Obama. At this rate, it is just a matter of time before he gets to be Sec of State, Atty General, Sec of Education and everything else.
November 21, 2008 4:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yep, maybe he's like the utility cabinet person. I really liked him for secretary of state. What a bummer.
November 21, 2008 4:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm not so sure -- Commerce could become significantly more important than it has been. Wouldn't be surprised at all. I'm confident Richardson was allowed to have a lot of input about where he wanted to be.
November 21, 2008 4:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
The economy makes Comerce a significant post, as does Richardson himself.
It's a great gig for him, and he will make the most of it.
November 21, 2008 10:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think the overall "rep" of a particular agency in any Administration is a combination of the person nominated to head it, and the "intrinsic" rep of the agency in the Cabinet hierarchy. Sure, State, DoD, DoJ, and Treasury are probably the A-list, but a very energetic and engaged agency head--who comes into the job with a lot of cachet--can have a significant impact in increasing that agency's profile. Actually, the best case in point was Ron Brown as...Commerce Secretary. He REALLY energized not just the other politicals in the Department, but the rank and file. He brought a lot of focus and energy to a department that usually gets described as "the broom closet of the federal government" and the career staff responded in kind. When his plane went down, the Hoover building was in shock for weeks. I thought he really made a positive impact there.
Of course, perhaps the most powerful agency in the federal government isn't even a cabinet appointment (OMB).
One thing I think people shouldn't underestimate is the yearning career folks have had for serious people to take over the reins at their agencies. Obama's picks so far have indicated that he intends to do just that.
November 22, 2008 8:57 AM | Reply | Permalink
I'm wondering if Obama is ever going to stop underwhelming me with his picks.
November 21, 2008 4:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm wondering if you're ever gonna stop boring me with your posts.
November 21, 2008 4:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Nope. Never.
November 21, 2008 4:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
So this isn't exactly front and center, but are there any rumors yet about who he will appoint as HUD secretary?
November 21, 2008 4:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
Chelsea clinton.
November 21, 2008 4:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ty Pennington.
November 21, 2008 4:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
LOLz!
November 21, 2008 4:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
nice buns, CastMan.
November 22, 2008 6:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
Names I've seen:
Manny Diaz (Miami mayor?), Jim Clyburn, Valerie Jarrett, Shirley Franklin (Atlanta mayor)
-- Jarrett's going to be in the WH
-- Clyburn will stay where he is, I'm *sure*
Don't know much about the other two.
November 21, 2008 4:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ron Kirk (former mayor of Dallas) has been mentioned also.
November 21, 2008 5:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
Any scuttlebutt on Interior?
November 21, 2008 4:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
John McCain, with his love of Teddy Roosevelt in tow.
November 21, 2008 4:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
James Watt.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_G._Watt
;)
November 21, 2008 4:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
Chelsea clinton.
November 21, 2008 4:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
MSNBC listed Interior: Bill Richardson, Inslee, Kitzhaber, Tony Knowles, Ken Salazar
-- Obviously not Richardson if he's commerce
-- Doubt they would take Salazar out of the Senate
November 21, 2008 4:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
John Kitzhaber, former governor of Oregon. He'll bring Western credibility to inform a progressive direction in land and resource management and environmental protection.
November 22, 2008 3:11 AM | Reply | Permalink
Clinton and Richardson hating each other now is the one way this is a "Team of Rivals."
November 21, 2008 4:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
More smelly old shit.
Not a single, solitary, actual dyed-in-the-wool progressive has, as far as I can tell, even been mentioned for a position in the new administration. Not one. Remember this is the movement that was right about Iraq, right about wage stagnation and inequality, right about financial deregulation, right about global warming and right about health care. And I don't just mean in that in a sectarian way. I mean to say that the emerging establishment consensus on all of these issues came from the left. There's tons of things the left is right about that aren't even close to mainstream (taking a hatchet to the national security state and ending the prison industrial complex to name just two), but hopefully we're moving there.
And yet, no one who comes from the part of American political and intellectual life that has given birth to all of these ideas is anywhere to be found within miles of the Obama cabinet thus far. WTF?
November 21, 2008 4:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
Who would you like to see?
November 21, 2008 4:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
Perhaps we'll get someone good for the EPA. They seem to be stocking up on the more Progressive side of things in that area.
November 21, 2008 4:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
I've read multiple reports that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is on the short list for the EPA. Here's one report from Politico that discusses Kennedy, but says he may be too "controversial" since he said that "global warming skeptics should be treated as 'traitors'", which thoroughly pissed off Sen. Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma.
However, in my opinion, taking Inhofe down a notch or two makes him even more qualified for the position.
November 21, 2008 5:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
I agree if there is a conservative Republican in the cabinet, I would like a Progressive. If it's all centrists, as it seems so far, well, so be it- though it's not exactly breaking new ground.
November 21, 2008 4:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
Obama's only obligation is to the Constitution and the American People, be they Progressive, Moderate, Conservative, or whatever. The beauty of the next few years will be the "throwing under the bus" of all these ridiculous categories, and hopefully, the term "throwing under the bus".
"Progressives" wouldn't have won anything this year without everyone else, and vice versa.
So there you have it.
November 21, 2008 5:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, well.... if there will be a token "Republican" I think there can be a token "Progressive". An end to labels? Keep dreaming.
November 21, 2008 5:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
That's bullshit. The Constitution didn't elect him - primarily Democrats did, and you can differentiate that further with who supported him more and worked harder for him (or helped create the conditions that let Democrats have more of a chance this year, like pushing the 50-state strategy despite the wisdom of Rahm).
If Obama wants to forget his backers, he can be thrown right back out on his ass. Remember what a difference a few votes for Nader made in 2000? The progressive vote would have made much more difference in those key states this year. Add up the electoral votes for Colorado, Indiana, Florida, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia - without progressive support, he wouldn't have won those states. Without progressive support Georgia wouldn't have been competitive - there are a lot of states McCain had to put money into because progressives helped build up an opposition structure. If Obama thinks he won this just on his boyish good looks and a refrain of "change", think again.
November 22, 2008 4:43 AM | Reply | Permalink
Is Hillary going to be the only woman in this cabinet??
November 21, 2008 4:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
Napolitano is homeland security. There are still a bunch of other seats as well.
November 21, 2008 4:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
Rumor is that Sebelius is being eyed up for a spot as well - maybe Labor?
November 21, 2008 4:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
She's been suggested as Ag secretary.
November 21, 2008 4:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
From today's Wichita Eagle afternoon email;
"Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius is in contention for one of at least three Cabinet jobs - Energy, Transportation and Education - in the incoming Barack Obama administration, insiders say."
http://www.kansas.com/topstories/story/604672.html
Like Reechardson (got a chuckle out of that one), she's versatile enough to fit more than one appointment.
November 21, 2008 5:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
I like the energy post idea, she said "NO" to dirty coal fired plants in western Kansas, and her veto stood.
She's very green-conscious, and hers was the first voice after the tornado disaster to suggest Greensburg come back as GREENsburg.
Obama's lucky to have such a pool of talent to choose from, and his willingness to include former opponents is very Lincolnesque. But he also has a plethora of long-time supporters to pick from, and Sebelius has been on his wagon since well before he was steamrolling.
November 21, 2008 5:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
Interesting profile in the WaPo archives...
November 21, 2008 4:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
OK, Hill and Jan. I'll be watching for more.
November 21, 2008 4:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
Way to go, Judas.
November 21, 2008 5:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
Early rumblings have Summers already lined up to replace Bernanke in 2010 as Federal Reserve Chairman.
November 21, 2008 7:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
I actually had that switched around. I had Summers getting Tres Sec. and Geithner getting Fed. Still some great choices here. You might not agree with all these people ideologically but you can't say any of them aren't more than qualified for their jobs.
November 21, 2008 8:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm intrigued:
Since the Richardson appt to Commerce will stop any "agitation" by "Hispanic" groups (Kleefield), I would like to know more about why such an appt would stop the "agitation"?? And which "agitation?" Specifically??? And since all "Hispanic" groups (who will be named in another posting w/more care)do not have identical political agendas, then it would be good to know the diversity of views among "Hispanic" groups (of varying levels of "agitation")about Richardson. And since the causal AND intentionality link is implied (appt - reduced "agitation")in the statement, then I would really like to know more about what Obama said about his reasoning for selecting Richardson. I'm sure somewhere he has said explictly that he would like to forestall the "agitation" of "Hispanic" groups.
When one writes with such authority about "agitation" and "Hispanic" groups, I can jsut assume that there is deeper knowledge to be mined. So I await more details about "agitated Hispanic groups."
BTW: Raul Grijalva, D-AZ) - Secretary of Interior (Arizona Republic).
And the concern with the damage to "party-building" by selecting govs and Reps from red states:
I kind of think Obama has done a great deal to "rebuild" the Democratic Party.
But I don't know: Perhaps there is more he can do.
Like walk on progressive water...
Geez...
P
November 22, 2008 6:38 AM | Reply | Permalink
Mitchum22: I agree with your analysis. There is a very real power struggle going on in the Democratic Party between its centrist establishment and progressive wing. It will be interesting to see how Obama nuances this.
Not surprised that he hasn't made much of an effort to do so thus far. I'm surprised to see progressives express surprise at Obama's direction. By and large he has had centrist inclinations. That's why I was slow to warm to him in the primaries.
That said, the thing that worried me most about the extraordinary enthusiasm toward Obama by progressive activists was what would happen once they saw the trajectory of his centrism play out in tangible ways.
We saw in the 1994 election what happens when disillusioned Democrats don't go to the polls. We saw in the 2000 election what happens when Democrats fracture into warring camps. We also can envision the danger of progressives being so marginalized that they could have almost as little power under Democratic rule than under the Republicans.
The netroots could play a key role in mediating this situation.
November 22, 2008 12:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's time to end all racism. Now that Barack Obama was elected behind a 95% black vote, blacks have now reached the highest office in the world. On Jan 20th, 2009, all black only organizations must be ended otherwise they become racist.
November 22, 2008 4:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
Here's a question: What does the Department of Commerce actually do? I have a pretty good grasp of what all the other departments are responsible for, but I'm a little befuddled when it comes to Commerce and Labor.
November 23, 2008 5:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
Bill Kristol sure thinks he has the answers in his column today, doesn't he?
I thought Allen McDuffee had two funny posts on Kristol today.
www.governmentalityblog.com
November 24, 2008 8:03 AM | Reply | Permalink
Bill Kristol sure thinks he has the answers in his column today, doesn't he?
I thought Allen McDuffee had two funny posts on Kristol today.
www.governmentalityblog.com
November 24, 2008 8:51 AM | Reply | Permalink