Paul Krugman seems happy with Obama's appointments.

[Telly Savalas]

Seriously, isn’t it amazing just how impressive the people being named to key positions in the Obama administration seem? Bye-bye hacks and cronies, hello people who actually know what they’re doing. For a bunch of people who were written off as a permanent minority four years ago, the Democrats look remarkably like the natural governing party these days, with a deep bench of talent.


http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/11/22/the-grownups-are-coming/

[Honeycombe8]

1. He's talking about the economic team. I don't think he thinks the Clinton appt will work well.

But others think it will.

At least, I think it was him I heard discussing this on TV the other morning.

[jab105]

Surprising since he was such a Clinton fan in the primary...

do you have a link on that?

[Honeycombe8]

9. Please re-read my post. nt

[Captain Hilts]

2. He supported Clinton in the primaries, so, who knows?

He might think she's a better AG.

[Uzybone]

4. Where did you get that impression?

That he doesn't think the Clinton pick will work? Or did you just pull that from thin air?

[Honeycombe8]

10. I gather you didn't bother to read my post, or you would have the answer to yur Q.

After you've read my post...the full post...please ask me anything you like.

[Uzybone]

14. Ok. Maybe you saw something on TV today

but I think I'll wait to read Pauls' column on Monday to find out what he thinks about Hillary. IMO, he will probably love it, since he was a big Hillary backer during the primary.

[mucifer]

6. during the primary he was very worried about an Obama presidency.

He felt Obama's health care plan was much worse than Hillary's. I Think Krugman has really come around.

[Fovea]

13. I am going to see how she works with the administration

if she is disciplined, the world will see a whole new level of American diplomacy, and I suspect a fundamental realignment vis a vis world security and military power.

[rwheeler31]

3. Thank you Paul, thinkig is cool now.

[Captain Hilts]

5. Thinking is cool...again. nt

[Paula Sims]

7. I'm just not happy with the Geithner appointment

I know someone who works with the Fed and they're not happy with him either. Not thrilled with the way he handled the AIG, Lehman, and the other 'bailouts'. I hope he's stronger on regulation but I doubt it. The Treasury is head of the OCC (the regulator of banks with "National" in their name) and he needs to straighten them up.

Frankly, I was hoping for Krugman or Reich for Treasury and Turley for AG. I can dream, can't I???

[ruggerson]

15. Lehman was a "bailout?"

news to me.

[Pirate Smile]

8. Robert Reich pushes back on the idea that Obama's appointing "centrists" or "center-right" people:

"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."

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

[KakistocracyHater]

17. pragmatists, reminds me of the vulcans

& grown-ups being in charge when Bush snuck in; pragmatists was used for Rumsfeld, Cheney.

[Raineyb]

20. Actually Vulcans are known for their logic

Pragmatism does not necessarily have anything to do with logic as what is the logical thing to do may not be possible due to pragmatic considerations.

Regards

[TexasObserver]

11. I've long valued Krugman's opinions on economic matters.

[Hardrada]

12. I am depressed by the Lawrence Summers appointment.

Does this mean neoliberalism is back in all its hideous splendor?

[Fovea]

16. yeah, wnen Larry O'Donnell was available

If the admin had to have a Larry in the postition, someone with a military mindset might be a better choice.

The market reacted like it pulled one over on Obama. They see him as a pushover. The market should remember that Norse saying- Praise ice once crossed.
It's not Summers, its the mission he will be pushing forward they better get right with. He don't put the shoulder to the wheel, he answer to Rahm.

Many of my oldest friends are the sort of people who can instantly and dispassionately decide how badly they need to damage you to achieve their aim and do it expediently, without drama.
In common they have a certain wry amused smile at life s minor annoyances.
Rahm Emmanuel has such a smile. He may be set to the task of gate keeper, but consider that his vision quest guide is a piranha swimming in a tank full of tears.

Not even Hillary is going to get carte blanche. Indeed, the whole Rahm-HIllary conflict will be the central nexus of drama in the cabinet of strife and pain.
The national discussion is about to get loud. I suspect however that this team might perversely wind up as a scary bunch of mofos on a mission. Of Clinton, Daschle, Rham, and even McCain, let s just say that there are some folks in the inner circle who want to see Karl Rove live out the rest of his days in a pain amplifier, as they say in the movie 'Dune'.

[Hardrada]

18. You make all this sound more interesting than depressing so

I might stay tuned for awhile longer since it might be interesting to see high level drama with people who speak and comport themselves well. Shakespearian almost. You have deadly friends. Mine are mostly,well,....dead. (Died way too young).

[Fovea]

19. As a hobby

I taught a full contact weapons system martial art for 29 years.
My old students include LEOs and MilSpec types as well as fellow hippies.
My old circle of friends includes included Dr. Patrick Hughes- military historian, D. Carlson a former CIO of KMart, and part of the original bar-code committee.

My Degree is English (concentration linguistics and comp) six hours short of a double major in Poli Sci.
I have five product certifications for IT products from Borland.

I am a former Nurse with six years ER and five years OR experience.
I had been a very busy lad up until the stroke in 2001.
Now I am fairly messed up.

My sweetheart of 12 years is working on a PhD in Classics-- we are half a world apart at the moment.
I have studied Old English, MIddle English, Classical Greek, French, Dutch and about a dozen computer languages from zilog 80 assembler to the UML.
Before the stroke I played Flute, various early reed instruments, lute, vihuela de mano, classical guitar, cello and bass.

I have peddled a bike completely across the state of Missouri once, half way across more than a dozen times.

I am the only member of my family in two generations to get a high school diploma or better.
I try to bring my full life experience to play.
It's been one heck of a life.

Stick around. There are folks here way more interesting and insightful than me.
It's what keeps me here, partially.

[Hardrada]

21. Thanks for your reply. I hope you have a complete recovery

since it sounds as though you get a lot out of life and know intriguing people.
I am an antiquarian bookseller and my academic interests were English, philosophy and history. But basically all I am is a historian (with some credentials in published poetry and articles on various topics). I have some book projects in regional history I am working on but my advancing years and the dehumanization of our society are starting to weigh quite heavily upon me.

By the way, have you ever taken part in RAGBRAI (the bicycle jaunt across Iowa)?