Govern Like It’s 1999
With apologies to the artist now known (or is it formerly known?) as Prince and his 1983 pop-anthem, the media is gushing over the new Obama team. For a campaign that ran on the mantra of change – “We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.” – the cast is starting to look a little familiar.
Narcissistic declarations aside, Obama came into national prominence, and ultimately success, having spent almost as much time running for office as he had holding a national political office. In fact, besides the Chicago connections Obama hesitantly renounced during the campaign (Rezko, Ayers, Wright, et. al), he remains a governing cipher. His voting record was proof of his far-left credentials, but his campaign promises were much more centrist. As the change mantra was offered, in voice and in song, it’s all starting come into focus. Finally, the questions conservatives asked during the campaign – What? When, How? – may be answered.
John Podesta, Clinton’s former White House chief of staff, is heading the transition effort. Illinois Rep. Rahm Emanuel, a former top Clinton adviser, is Obama’s chief of staff. Former Clinton appointees Eric Holder and Janet Napolitano appear in line for Cabinet posts. (Both of these carry the baggage of the Clinton years, but more on that later). Even Governors from the old Clinton-days got swept up in the wave as Bill Richardson was announced as Obama’s pick for Secretary of Commerce.
And in the coup de grace, Obama has signaled plans to name former first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton as secretary of state. Even the HuffPos are up in arms.
The lone outsider is Ellen Moran, who will be director of communications at the White House. She was executive director of the Washington group EMILY’s List — a group that backs female candidates who support abortion rights. She also has worked for the AFL-CIO. See, there are in fact liberals who are pro-abortion.
The economic team was announced today, including New York Federal Reserve President Timothy Geithner as his Treasury Secretary nominee and former Harvard President Lawrence Summers as the director of the National Economic Council. Both Geithner and Summers are free-traders, and yes, served in the Treasury Dept under Clinton (full disclosure: Summers was on the CEA under Reagan as well). As a matter of importance, Geithner was a leader in arranging the first of the string of bailouts – the rescue and sale of Bear Sterns.
So the cast is being created. The “Clintonistas” seem to be leading the race, but the new “Obamaites”, and even the centrists are gaining ground. As the economy is heading towards a deep recession, the time for judgment is approaching – we are starting the see the Who?, now on to the When? And How?
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