Sen. Christopher Dodd (D-CT) is conspicuous in his attacks on Elizabeth Warren, ever since she began to be mentioned as the best person to head up the new middle class Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). And he's at it again today -- never missing an opportunity to point out that she would not be confirmable by the Senate and now downplaying the importance of the job she is about to be appointed for -- as special adviser to the president in charge of setting up this new protection bureau. This is supposedly a compromise "temporary" appointment to get around having to get her confirmed. The temporary position can go as long as Obama wants it to.
No doubt, she is the best person. It was her idea, she outlined the plan for the bureau, and no one has been a better champion of the middle class and ensuring their financial protection than she during the Obama administration thus far.
So what's Chris Dodd's problem with her? You would think he was a Republican, the way her carries on about it. First he said that she wasn't a good manager; then he said she couldn't be confirmed; now he's saying this isn't a very important post she's being given -- after all, it's only temporary, and then reminding people she couldn't be confirmed for a permanent position.
It's one thing to conclude, as Obama's team apparent has, that politically it would be a difficult appointment to get through the filibuster-happy Republican opposition in the Senate. But that's a fact of practicality. Dodd goes beyond that and goes out of his way -- egregiously so -- to throw up some objection every time her name appears in the news. It's time to call him on his objectionable behavior.
All I know is that Warren has the fierce opposition of the business community -- because she is such an effective spokesperson for middle class protection. No wonder they don't want her.
I can only conclude -- and this is bolstered by looking at how much campaign money Dodd has gotten from financial interests, naturally as Chair of the Senate Finance Committee -- that he is paying off debts to the business community.
But, come on, Dodd. You aren't even running for re-election -- because you knew you couldn't win. So just shut up already. Let Obama find a way to appoint the person that would, hands down, be the best person for the job. Besides that simple fact, which is more than enough, it is also true that her appointment will restore a bit of faith in those of us who feel Obama has leaned too far toward the business community and away from the people's interests.
You're only making yourself look bad, Chris. Really bad. You are a prime example how good people get corrupted by the easy money in politics.
Ralph
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Obama could have appointed her as a recess appointment. That's common practice, and one he has used a number of times.
ReplyDeleteInterestingly, in the last couple days Obama has been criticized, again, by Progressives, for giving in to the right. Suddenly, this evening, Barney Frank steps up and says Warren didn't want the appointment.
Maybe that's true, but I smell a fish. The timing of all this - and the fact Warren herself didn't say it - makes it look like they're just trying to protect Obama's flanks from attacks from the left.
richard
Richard, you're never satisfied. He appointed her, didn't he?
ReplyDeleteAnd he avoided a fight over a nomination -- at least for the time being. Who knows what Chris Dodd would have done to derail it when it came to his committee for hearings? He's been undermining her at every opportunity, including today when he belittled the importance of this job. She can always be nominated for a permanent appointment later. Dodd will be gone in January.
Sure, Obama could have made a recess appointment, but that spends political capital he might rather save for something else. And it would have ended in January with the start of a new congress, if I understand those rules. This will last at least until Jan 2012 -- and maybe longer; it's not clear.
With this indefinite interim appointment, she will make sure the bureau is set up right -- apparently he has given her that power -- and she can always be nominated for a permanent position later. I think this is the better course for now.
So what's wrong with "trying to protect Obama's flanks from attacks from the left"? It's about time. We don't agree with Obama's notion that he can stay on the fence. I'm not mad at him for trying, but there comes a time to get over it and move ahead. I wish it had come earlier. I hope that's what this means - that he's fed up. If it doesn't mean that [yet], we just need to keep screaming...
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