Warren takes on big fights for consumers and wins them. I saw it firsthand: Rich Cordray

[BlueMTexpat]

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is a testament to the strength of Warren’s ideas and her ability to make them work. She has guts and skill.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2020/01/23/elizabeth-warren-takes-on-big-fights-wins-richard-cordray-column/4524090002/

Over the past year, Sen. Elizabeth Warren has cemented her reputation as a thought leader on economic policy and as a champion of big ideas. But often missing from the public discussion is her track record of tackling key problems successfully and leading complex organizations. I saw this firsthand when I worked closely with her at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).

After reckless lending by the big banks and Wall Street crashed our economy in 2008, Elizabeth stormed Washington with a bold idea: Create a new federal agency with the mission to root out fraud and abuse in the financial marketplace. She brought together a diverse coalition to press for action on Capitol Hill. She got the American people involved in the fight. And she fearlessly battled the special interests — the powerful financial lobby — who were unable to stop her.

In 2010, Congress passed her idea into law, and Elizabeth rolled up her sleeves to build the new consumer agency from scratch. She effectively navigated a complex and often adversarial federal system to get things done.

As we worked together to streamline disclosures that help people “Know Before You Owe,” I found that she focused on delivering tangible benefits for people rather than producing bureaucracy. She encouraged us to take on ambitious projects, set aggressive deadlines and test innovative approaches to persistent problems. She shrugged off personal attacks from special interests, administration foes and even members of Congress, so that everyone else could remain focused on the core mission.

Underestimated business acumen
Elizabeth’s managerial strengths were bolstered by her sophisticated understanding of markets and her nuanced approach to government intervention. She saw that the best way to protect people against corporate abuse is to prevent it altogether. She insisted on a robust approach to fair lending cases based on statistical evidence. They included both “redlining” cases (refusing to lend in certain communities of color) and “reverse redlining” cases (lending in such communities on worse terms than elsewhere).

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Much more at the link.

And yes, we badly NEED "guts and skill" in today's political climate.

[spooky3]

1. I admire people who get things done

That need to be done. Nt

[BeyondGeography]

2. This shows you what a grown-up she is, too

Cordray got the director job after the Geithner faction weighed in against Warren. Lots of people in that situation throw a pity party for themselves and do whatever they can to make life difficult for their successor. Not EW, obviously.