Why The Warrent Appointment As INTERIM DIRECTOR Is SO Friggin' BRILLIANT!!!

[Beetwasher]

And yes, she's going to be INTERIM DIRECTOR with ALL the power that position has and MORE because she's not subject to the politics of confirmation and she's NOT saddled with being being prevented from discussing and promoting the agency while setting it up.

--snip--

"By appointing Warren to a post within the administration - much as the White House did with "car czar" Steven Rattner and "compensation czar" Kenneth Feinberg - Obama would free her to act as the bureau's director beginning immediately while avoiding a confirmation battle. The move also will thrill the consumer groups, labor unions, academics and liberal lawmakers that have lobbied relentlessly for her to lead the new regulator."

--snip--

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/15/AR2010091505999.html

But here's the really, really brilliant part: She remains Interim Director until the Senate confirms a permanent Director. So let's say Obama nominates her for the permanent position and Repubs choose to fillibuster...SHE REMAINS DIRECTOR THROUGHOUT THE FILLIBUSTER!!! And then when they finally give it up, she's permanent anyway! :rofl:

It's a brilliant catch 22.

[notesdev]

1. Meanwhile, on Planet Reality

http://globaleconomicanalysis.blogspot.com/2010/09/elizabeth-warren-tossed-bone-and.html

It's not the Repubs who oppose her anyway, it's Chris Dodd and the rest of the Wall St. water carriers.

[Name removed]

2. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[chimpymustgo]

8. You should post that separately; Marginalization of Elizabeth Warren

-edit-

Marginalization of Elizabeth Warren

Yves Smith at Naked Capitalism hits the nail on the head in her appraisal Elizabeth Warren on Way to Being Sidelined as Head of Consumer Protection Agency, Relegated to “Advisor” Role

The body language of the Administration has been clear from the outset on the question of whether Elizabeth Warren would get its nomination to head of the new financial services consumer protection agency. Despite the occasional public remark regarding her undeniable competence, which really amounted to damning her with faint praise, Team Obama has never been on board with the idea.

The Warren marginalization isn’t about personalities, although the powers that be love to pigeonhole thorns in their side that way. The clashes reflect fundamental differences in philosophy. Geithner, the Administration that stands behind him, and Dodd all are staunch defenders of our rapacious financial services industry, even though they make occasional moves to disguise that fact. Warren, by contrast, is clearly a skeptic, and a dangerous one to boot, because she understands the abuses well and is able to communicate effectively with the public.

Expect Warren to be pushed further to the sidelines, just as Paul Volcker has been (oh, and pulled out of mothballs when the Administration desperately needed to create the appearance it really might be tough on banks. Perhaps they hope her tenuous standing as acting head can be used to keep her in line.

Much more at
http://globaleconomicanalysis.blogspot.com/2010/09/eliz...

************

Ezra Klein ain't buying it either:


Elizabeth Warren cont'd

Jon Cohn talked to some folks and came away with a generally optimistic take on Elizabeth Warren's interim nomination. Same goes for Matt Yglesias.

I'm still a bit more ambivalent. First, I mistrust decisions that can be easily spun in different ways to different audiences. Talking to the lefty blogger crowd, the administration can say that this shows the depth of their support for Warren, and in no way prevents a permanent nomination from occurring at some later date. The reality, as they've been explaining, is that the Senate isn't moving nominations right now and the Republicans are filibustering everything, so in the short-term, it was this or nothing.

And all that's true. On the other hand, it would also be easy to explain this to a member of the financial industry. The grass-roots pressure to appoint Warren was overwhelming. But this way, she's merely an adviser. She doesn't actually have the powers of the office. And after doing this, there's no way Senate Republicans will ever let her have the permanent spot. Warren's interim appointment makes the politics of a permanent appointment almost impossible.

And here's the thing: Both explanations are true! Republicans really are holding up the nomination process. In the short term, it really was this or nothing. Over the long-run, this really will make it impossible to imagine Republicans letting Warren through a confirmation process. Whether this is a good or bad outcome depends on your assessment of the counterfactuals, in which Obama either didn't appoint her at all or tried to appoint her and faced a fight he may or may not have won against the Republicans in Congress.

By Ezra Klein | September 16, 2010; 12:38 PM ET

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/ezra-klein/2010/09/eli...

[Subdivisions]

10. According to the OP, Yves Smith is just a 'stupid blogger'. n/t

[whatchamacallit]

25. Thanks for the interesting analysis.

:hi:

[Lost4words]

23. agreed!

[Beetwasher]

26. Someone's Opinion That Warren Is A "Lapdog" Is NOW Reality?

I'll take actual fact:

"By appointing Warren to a post within the administration - much as the White House did with "car czar" Steven Rattner and "compensation czar" Kenneth Feinberg - Obama would free her to act as the bureau's director beginning immediately while avoiding a confirmation battle. The move also will thrill the consumer groups, labor unions, academics and liberal lawmakers that have lobbied relentlessly for her to lead the new regulator."

[flamingdem]

53. The progressive pundits should be all over this effort made for Warren

Has anyone seen responses from those who were doubting Obama's intentions?

[librechik]

43. yup. but thanks anyway to Beetwasher for cheering me up for a moment.

Also skeptical about Barney Frank's assertion that it's what she wanted. Huh. Really?

[Beetwasher]

46. So Now Barney Frank Is A Liar?

Oooookay.

[librechik]

54. I'm not saying that--but I'd like to hear it from her.

[notesdev]

47. Given Frank's role in the various finance scandals

I'd say there is every reason to view his words on this subject with skepticism. He's neck deep in BOTH the banking AND the housing disasters.

[Beetwasher]

48. You Are Really Smearing Barney Frank As Being In With The Banks??? ROFL!

Barney Frank, the Socialist?

That could be the most pathetic attempted smear I've ever seen on this site. :rofl:

[notesdev]

51. If you don't know his role

you are truly ignorant

He's only chairman of the House Banking Committee.

[Beetwasher]

52. Preach It! That Evil, Nasty Barney Frank! Tool Of The BANKS!!!! ROFL!!!

Now I have heard it all. You are a laugh riot!

Let's see your sourcing for these idiotic smears, or should we just take your word for it? :rofl:

[librechik]

56. yeah, and despite his bluster, in the end we get very little. Barney, I like you

but I wish you had done more to match your brave words.

[Beetwasher]

61. Yes! Barney Frank Should Singlehandedly Accomplish EVERYTHING Your Little Heart Desires!!

After all, he does work for YOU, right??? Why doesn't he deliver Socialism to this country yet??? What is WRONG with him???

[GOTV]

3. So what's the relationship between her position and the eventual director?

When they get a real director is she out?

[Beetwasher]

4. She IS The Director, It's Not DIfficult To Understand

She is Director NOW. When there's a new Director, then there's a new Director. But the permanent spot could still be given to her and NOW even EASIER because the Repubs really can't fillibuster her now. They can, but it would be useless.

[GOTV]

5. So you expect that this announcement will be followed by her nomination to the director position?

[Beetwasher]

6. Maybe, But She Remains There Until A Permanent Director Is Confirmed

And Obama has a lot of time to do that.

I think it would be smart move for them to nominate her though since her interim appointment guarantees a fillibuster of her would be useless. But who knows, she might decide to set the agency up and then run for Senate in Mass.

[GOTV]

9. It seems to me there are 2 other possibilities

1 - Obama nominates someone else non-controversial who actually gets confirmed.

2 - Obama nominates her but because there are even Dems that seem not to want her there is no GOP fillibuster and she is just out right voted down.

In both cases someone else becomes the director and that's why I would like to know what the relationship is between her position and the director position.

[Beetwasher]

11. So? She Could Also Fall Into A Black Hole Or Decide To Run For Senate

What's the difference? She's Director NOW and will set up the agency NOW and right the rules and hire the staff and leave her imprint on it for generations AND be in a MUCH better position to BE the permanent Director.

Go get a crystal ball if you want to know what's going to happen at some point down the road after she's established the agency. Whoever eventually replaces her, which WILL happen at some point since she can't hold the position forever, will have to work within the agency SHE created. That's the relationship.

[GOTV]

12. The difference is Warren is not head of the agency in those two scenarios ....

You're right she is also not head of the agency if she falls into a black hole but Obama cannot cause her to fall into a black hole. Obama can nominate a more business friendly director down the line.

There is no requirement that an incoming director be bound by anything Warren, who is actually not a director, does.

Apparently you are not able to answer my question about the relationship between her non-director position and the Director position.

[Beetwasher]

13. Umm, Warren IS Director

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/15/AR2010091505999

By appointing Warren to a post within the administration - much as the White House did with "car czar" Steven Rattner and "compensation czar" Kenneth Feinberg - Obama would free her to act as the bureau's director beginning immediately while avoiding a confirmation battle. The move also will thrill the consumer groups, labor unions, academics and liberal lawmakers that have lobbied relentlessly for her to lead the new regulator.

--snip--

So now because she can eventually be replaced it's somehow ominous? Guess what, that happens in EVERY agency. Duh. New administrations pick the agency heads.

Sorry you have a problem with that.

Man, the goalpost moving is surreal.

[GOTV]

27. She is not the director. The director is confirmed by the Senate

> Man, the goalpost moving is surreal.

The goal post is Warren as the director. The goal has neither been moved nor reached.

[Beetwasher]

28. Umm, Yes, She IS The Director

"By appointing Warren to a post within the administration - much as the White House did with "car czar" Steven Rattner and "compensation czar" Kenneth Feinberg - Obama would free her to act as the bureau's director beginning immediately while avoiding a confirmation battle. The move also will thrill the consumer groups, labor unions, academics and liberal lawmakers that have lobbied relentlessly for her to lead the new regulator."

But don't let facts get in the way of your goal post moving.

[liberalla]

39. Beetwasher - Thank you for your interpretation of this.

I love it and agree --- it's BRILLIANT!

I'm so happy she's it for now, and I hope she stays a LONG time.

[Beetwasher]

42. Your Welcome! But See This Thread, It's Also Relevant!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x9148966

[SidDithers]

7. K&R...

"The move also will thrill the consumer groups, labor unions, academics and liberal lawmakers that have lobbied relentlessly for her to lead the new regulator"

But not DU'ers, apparently.

Sid

[Bluebear]

14. 3-D SUPER DUPER INTERGALACTIC CHESS!!!!11

:bounce:

[Beetwasher]

15. Aww, Poor You, Can't Criticize This So You Post Contentless Sniping Instead?

n/t

[Bluebear]

16. Go back to picking on subdivisions. (And capitalizing each word in the subjct like a movie)

:rofl:

'Awwww, poor you.....'

What a boor.

[Beetwasher]

18. I'm Picking On Somone Who Chooses To Post In My OP???

Well, ok then!

[Subdivisions]

17. Who's doing the sniping? n/t

[Beetwasher]

19. I'm On A Snipe Hunt

And I'm picking on you. :rofl:

[Bluebear]

20. WAAAH! AWWW! QUEEN OF ENGLAND!!!!11

Scintillating, ain't it?

[Beetwasher]

21. That's "Yer Majesty!" To You!

[CatWoman]

22. *sigh*

it really pains me to see two of my favorite people going at each other like this :cry:

[Beetwasher]

31. Oh It's Nothing Really!

Just goofing around. I can be such an asshole sometimes. :evilgrin:

[Bluebear]

32. See, something we can agree on!

:hug:

KIDDING, KIDDING! : )))

[Beetwasher]

35. I'm Not Kidding, I'm A Fucking Asshole

I'm the first to admit it! ;)

Just ask Catwoman!

[CatWoman]

38. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

:)

[MineralMan]

59. Chess is politics. Politics is Chess.

Thus has it always been. But I'm sure you knew that, right? I'm sure you knew that things done indirectly still get done, right?

Warren is the Director. Obama's her boss. She likes the idea, or there wouldn't be an announcement. Case closed. Seeya!

[mikelgb]

24. lul at this thread

[Subdivisions]

29. K&R. Hopefully she'll get the nomination. But this is a damn good start.

We'll see how it goes from here.

[Beetwasher]

30. C'mere You, Give Me A Hug

:evilgrin: :hug: We're making Catwoman upset.

[Subdivisions]

33. lol...

:hug:

I'd still like to know about those stupid bloggers. :evilgrin:


Edited to add: I don't want to upset Catwoman, though I have no reason to think that I'm one of her favorite DUers.

[Beetwasher]

34. Meh

;)

[girl gone mad]

36. Too many posts like this are why I hardly come here anymore.

"That spineless compromise thing Obama just did is like totally the most awesomest move evar!!1!"

In the real world, this looks like a gutless political ploy.

[Beetwasher]

37. Im just too much for you to resist!

yr my biggest fan! I'm so flattered!

[Enrique]

40. if that's the way it works, then there's nothing brilliant about it

every president would do this every time they have a nominee that faces opposition. It would be obvious and there would be no reason not to do it.

Common sense tells me that this isn't the way it works, otherwise no one would bother with the confirmation process, ever.

[Beetwasher]

41. Umm, No, This Is Allowed Because Of A Special Provision

That allows this type of appointment. It's exactly the way it works. Dodd-Frank allows it.

[Enrique]

44. well now we're getting somewhere

It looks like there is such a provision:

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/09/dodd-unaware-of-interim-appointment-power-for-warren.php

I'd like to know how that provision got in there, whether Dodd realized it was there or whether he underestimated Obama's willingness to use it. Plausible scenario: Dodd allowed the provision not expecting Obama to use the power.

[Beetwasher]

45. Of Course There Is! That's Why I Said There Was

And it's being used brilliantly, IMO.

[Kalyke]

49. He appointed Warrant?

[Beetwasher]

50. Yes And Warren Too!

[Stinky The Clown]

55. IS your CAPS LOCK broKEN?

:shrug:

[Beetwasher]

57. YES! HELP!

BECAUSE IT'S VERY IMPORTANT AND SUBSTANTIVE.

[newtothegame]

58. Intergalactic chess. nt

[Beetwasher]

60. What An Original And Substantive Comment!

I've never heard that before. It's SOOOOO funny! My god, you should do stand up! Really! Have you ever thought about writing for Letterman or something??? You've got real, original ideas and talent! You could be the next big thing! I urge you to contact a talent agent and submit your jokes, because really, I've never seen such amazing originality before. It's incredible! It's sublime! You're like the next Carrot Top or something!

[ClarkUSA]

62. You're 100% right, but some people have made it a habit to distort or minimize anything Obama does.

Great OP. I enjoyed reading your excellent replies, too.

:yourock: