How Obama is Already Taking Charge, by Robert Reich

[jefferson_dem]

How Obama is Already Taking Charge
By Robert Reich - November 22, 2008, 5:53PM

Obama's immediate challenge is to fill the leadership vacuum created by a lame-duck president with historically-low approval ratings who seems to have lost interest in his job (at this writing, he's out of the country) and who's disappeared from the media, and a Treasury chief who has all but punted on coming up with any workable solution to the crisis. But Obama doesn't become president until 12 noon eastern standard time on January 20 -- and the national economy is imploding right now.

How does Obama manage this feat? Two ways: (1) appoint a highly-capable economic team, and (2) tell the nation what he plans to do starting the afternoon of January 20. Specifically:

(1) The members of Obama's new economic team fit the bill. They're reported (I have no inside knowledge) to include Tim Geithner at Treasury, Peter Orszag at the Office of Management and Budget, Jack Lew and Jason Furman at the National Economic Council, and Austan Goolsbee at the Council of Economic Advisors. All have several things in common. They're relatively young, in their late 30s or 40s, representing a generational change and a fresh start. Despite their youth, they're also experienced; almost all were up-and-comers in the Clinton Treasury, NEC, and OMB.

All are pragmatists. Some media have dubbed them "centrists" or "center-right," but in truth they're remarkably free of ideological preconception. All have well-earned reputations as hard workers, well-versed in the technical details of public and private finance. They are not visible veterans of the old battles over supply-side economics or deficit reduction, nor are they well-known to the public. They are not visionaries but we don't need visionaries when the economic perils are clear and immediate. We need competence. Obama could not appoint a more competent group.

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http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/11/22/how_obama_is_already_taking_ch/

[Jackpine Radical]

1. Thank you Robert Reich. And Jefferson Dem. And, of course,

Mr. President. (Both of them. The old one for leaving the job early, and the new one for picking the ball up so efficiently.)

[Cha]

9. "Leaving the job early"..

just kinda drifting off like he's been known to do since TANG.

[Jackpine Radical]

12. God, yes, that's exactly it.

AWOL again, and, as before, nobody really cares.

[geckosfeet]

2. I love this guy.

In a professional sort of way,,,

[patricia92243]

3. Love Robert Reich. Good to see him out and about on TV now. Thanks for the post.

[BeFree]

4. I like young

Ya know, this is the first president that is younger than most of us.

That alone is gonna make a big difference in how DC plays the game from here on. I could hardly be happier.

My old generation is over the hill. Please don't roll rock down on us. K?

[janx]

5. Obama is three to four years younger than I am.

I'm soon to turn 51. This is so exciting! The guy is around my age, I remember and was a part of school integration, and look at what has happened! :party:

[BeFree]

8. We...

...have come a long way, eh? Imagine if McCain had been selected?

I'm in seventh heaven these days, looking forward to the future even.

[laugle]

6. Ahh......finally a post of substance.................

I'm starting to get impressed! Pragmatists not ideologues is exactly what we need to start turning things around from the horrific mess that Bush is leaving our country in!

I'm beginning to believe that Obama will actually be capable of hitting the ground running! Hold on to your hats it's going to be a very bumpy ride............be prepared ..........

[jefferson_dem]

10. Oy...

Out with ideology. In with pragmatism...and progress.

[laugle]

11. Amen to that!

I always said you were one of the more objective and fair Obama supporters..........not given to participating in the hate fest!

[Cha]

7. Love hearing this from Robert Reich..thanks Jefferson.

And really hate the labels the "media" puts on everything they see and they're always horribly wrong.

[DCBob]

13. Totally agree. Obama is pulling all the right strings so far.

IMHO.

[FrenchieCat]

14. Thank you Robert Reich......I trust you.