Melody! Obama Taps a Progressive and Nobody in the Media Knew It

[Coexist]

http://narcosphere.narconews.com/thefield

The most interesting news out of the press conference just concluded by President-elect Obama was the appointment of an unabashed progressive, Melody Barnes (in the photo, above), to head the Domestic Policy Council. Barnes will coordinate the mega-board of the Cabinet secretaries of Health and Human Services, Justice, Labor, Education, Housing and Urban Development, Commerce, Energy, Treasury, Agriculture, Transportation, Interior and Veterans Affairs. Basically, she'll be domestic policy czar.

The other announcements were interesting, too.

Remember just a week or two ago when the conventional wisdom screeched in the language of "done deals" that President-elect Obama would nominate Lawrence Summers to the newly all-powerful role of Treasury Secretary?

It was only late last week that signals were sent that Tim Geithner - who, we learned this morning, speaks Chinese and Japanese, in addition to English - would get the nod instead. Interestingly, Geithner has never worked on Wall Street. His career has been mainly devoted to public service and not private profit. That's encouraging (and makes him quite distinct from the Robert Rubin looter-and-pillager mold that the media drones on about today).

Summers has instead been nominated to head the National Economic Council. But more interesting about today's press conference was that Obama also nominated two women to the other top economic posts that until earlier this morning nobody, but absolutely nobody, had predicted.

[Romulox]

1. Listen. Obama took the announcement of $300 billion to Citi as an opportunity to castigate labor.

He is in no way a progressive. Not on labor, and not on economics.

[Coexist]

2. Obama "took" the announcement to "castigate labor"???

wtf?

[Romulox]

4. A bit of hyperbole perhaps, but to criticize the auto industry while quietly approving $300 billion

additional government monies to Citi was a powerful rebuke of Labor interests, and was received as such.

[Windy]

5. I live in Detroit. There is NOTHING wrong with making the big 3 come forward with a plan

They fought cafe for many many years...tooth and nail...and look where it got them. Gas prices are bottoming out. We have to be sure that they are going to retool for future growth and build cars that are fuel efficient to compete globally with Toyota, Honda, etc. I have a brother in law who is very highly connected at GM. They HAVE plans for the future. Why the hell they went to congress with nothing is beyond the pale to me.

Obama has nothing to do with the hand out to Citi. Bush stated in a conference yesterday that he telephoned Obama to tell him of his decision. The new administration, according to everything that Obama said during the campaign, will be about transparency and accountability. The Big 3 included.

There is going to be a caravan leaving from Detroit and driving to Washington comprised of dealers, suppliers, etc... and hopefully the execs of the automobile companies. That is what should have been done in the first place. If they come forward with a viable and innovative plan, there is no way that the southern state reps can balk at the loan. Its called playing it smart.

Your inflammatory language does us no good. If McCain would have won the election, there would be no auto industry loan no matter what plan was put forward.

[Romulox]

8. Of course Obama has something to do with the bailout. He VOTED for it.

Then he was silent about the Citi handout; he was too busy criticizing any potential bailout of working people.

[mdmc]

6. notice citi didn't have a "plan" like was required from the big 3

[Romulox]

10. I noticed, but Windy above, for example, has not. nt

[babylonsister]

3. Huh? How so? nt

[gblady]

7. this is a great appointment....

and I'm surprised all those who have been bemoaning
that there were no progressives are not jumping for joy.
Look at all the offices she will oversee! Amazing

I watched the video of her last night, she looks very bright and articulate.

I think DU'ers have trouble with the "isn't that great" thing.

[MadHound]

9. This is good news, and goes a fair way to restoring my confidence in Obama

However I would also like to see a liberal overseeing the EPA or some other such big spot where they would do some good. I was really hoping for Kucinich in HHS, but instead we got Daschle:puke:

But all in all, good news.

Even without this appointment, I'm willing to suspend my criticism until the man gets into office and see what his actual actions are. If he comes down as fairly progressive, even with a center, center-right cabinet, great. If he comes down as another corporatist, well, let the battle begin:shrug:

[Shiver]

11. Something I've been wondering...

Cabinet positions need to be confirmed by the Senate. Even with a Democratic majority, would Kucinich get confirmed? Does he even want a Cabinet post? I've asked that second one a few times, and have yet to receive and answer... :shrug:

[cali]

13. I didn't love the Daschle appointment but I get it.

Obama wanted someone with clout on the hill, and yeah, Daschle has it. Dennis unfortunately does not have it. And neither does my preference, Dean, who in many ways is far more qualified than either Dennis or Daschle.

[Bluenorthwest]

12. She's great, for lots of reasons

A good choice.