IT’S OVER
Harry Hamburg, File / AP PhotoElizabeth Warren Out: Report
There’s no better way to ruin a weekend than having somebody replace you at work. President Obama has reportedly chosen his nominee for chief of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and it’s not early favorite Elizabeth Warren, a source told Bloomberg News Friday.
Why do I have a nagging thought at the back of my head that this announcement, coming at this particular time, is inextricably tied to conversations going on behind closed doors at the White House between the Republicans and the erstwhile POTUS?
Did I require yet ANOTHER reason not to support Barack Obama for any additional time leading from behind? No! Leading from behind whom? My guess, from behind the GOP!
The Department of Homegirl Security 
This is really disappointing. What good is a Consumer Financial Protection Bureau if it’s not headed by a consumer protection advocate?
LikeLike
Well, I think the worst part is hiring someone to set up the structure and then giving to post to someone else. That happened to me once. It’s not a good feeling. You were good enough to set the thing up, but not to run it. This case resembles mine because in my case the decision was political, and, if I am right, this is also a political decision.
LikeLike
It’s totally political! The Republicans won’t confirm someone who will run this Bureau as it is designed and, since the world seems to revolve around the most right wing of nut jobs, she has to go. They want it to be weaker in order to “promote job creation” or “reward success” or whatever the current GOP code phrase is for screwing the undeserving not-rich eight ways from Sunday. I think the fact that her work will be dialed back, theoretically to irrelevance, has to hurt pretty bad, too.
I also think that Obama wants her to run for Scott Brown’s senate seat even though Scott Brown is the least of his problems right now.
This administration makes my performing artist’s soul ache. Politics at its finest is a careful blend of strong policy and stagecraft. I’m not implying that he should lie or act. The stagecraft I’m talking about has to do with effective communication. Without that brand of stagecraft, the policy will fall flat because the people feel spoken at instead of spoken to. Roosevelt wouldn’t have been so beloved if his grasp of the theater of politics wasn’t there. The same can be said of Kennedy and Reagan, the actor who became President.
LikeLike
Great analysis!
LikeLike
I try to bring something constructive to the table in between commenting on your girl’s fashions and inserting not-so-subtle insinuations about “HBT”.
LikeLike
This was especially incisive. The Scott Brown point needs to be tagged for future reference, in fact. (Does Obama think he is King of the World?)
LikeLike
Obama is hung up on Scott Brown because he was the first Republican to beat his campaign efforts since Obama to office. He looks to be holding a grudge (Not very presidential behavior if he is). The thing is, Scott Brown is like the Joe Lieberman of Republicans. He’s like a “blue dog” Republican. When one considers the fringe elements of Republican politics that now inhabit Capitol Hill, Scott Brown really should be a non-issue a this point and good people should not be shuffled out of possible appointments so that they can go run against non-issue people. If she were running against someone like Jim Demint or John Kyl then I could understand, but Scott Brown shouldn’t even be on the radar.
LikeLike
Not sure, but he’s certainly studied The Prince.
LikeLike
Wheeling and dealing with the GOP behind closed doors. He will get some kind of deal, at the expense of this plus DADT remaining in effect.
LikeLike
Since when has a party holding one house of Congress meant completely owning national politics to the point that the President has to come to that party’s leadership on his knees, bearing huge sellouts on major issues? I don’t remember reading about that.
LikeLike
Since never.
LikeLike
He just gives in and their Speaker of the House is not all that intimidating. I mean, come on, Mr. President, you’re afraid of John Boehner?! He cries at the drop of a hat.
LikeLike
As soon as I saw Boehner’s name there in your comment, my first mental association was tears. He’s metaphorically the prototypical bully target. How can anyone be intimidated by him?
LikeLike
You know what, I tried. I tried to resist, but I failed. I had to post this.
LikeLike
Good Lord! I know you used every resistant bone in your body, but who could have resisted this?
LikeLike
On target again about Scott Brown. I group him with Snowe, Collins, Murkowski.
What I guess slipped under my radar were the grudge (if there is one) and wanting EW to run against him. That is very manipulative. These are very different offices – one is elected and the other appointed. Also the appointed office has a deep and narrow list of qualifications which fit EW perfectly. The elected office has a broader, shallower list of qualifications. I am sure she would do well, but who knows if she even wants to campaign.
LikeLike
She’s running for Senate. If only it were in CT.
http://discourseincsharpminor.wordpress.com/2011/09/15/shes-in/
LikeLike
I know. She should be the head of the agency she developed. I resent this. Her skills were bypassed for this? I think she can win, though.
LikeLike