Are there any Republicans who would a) serve as Obama's Treasury Sec., B) support some tax hikes, and c) Republicans still like?
The answer to that Klein's question is Bruce Bartnett. I appreciate David Stockman's honesty but he would push for cuts that would hurt growth.
Klein doesn't ask who is the best candidate for Treasury Secretary. Joseph Stiglitz is smart enough. It would be hard for a Treasury Secretary that calls the banks corrupt to work with the banks. That is part of the Treasury Secretary's job discription. Gene Sperling as an economic adviser to Geithner. Geithner later was appointed to the Director of the National Economic Council. Sperling held the same position in the Clinton administration. Obama is comfortable with Sperling. This is about as close to a progressive that Obama would appoint to Treasury.
Open thread: who would you like to see as the next Treasury Secretary? Word is Tim Geithner is quitting soon. The Treasury Department needs a person extraordinary talent. Geithner was not that person. I'm sure you can think of someone better than Klein's Republican suggestion.
The decline in Klein's writing should lead to some decent paychecks for op/ed pieces in USA Today and US News and World Report, once WaPo realizes that the only thing he adds to their pages are laughs.
ReplyDeleteWhat happened to Ezra after Pandagon and the American Prospect? Why the fuck would he even consider a Republican Treasury Sec? Eight years of Bush. Use a Democrat's short time in power to forward Republican economic policies. Sickening.
ReplyDeleteDidnt you realize it was a sardonic comment! Why didnt you read the post he wrote, on how complicated the process would be for a replacement. It related directly to that post.
ReplyDeleteI didn't read the post. So you have a valid point. I have been displeased with the neoliberal turn Klein has made.
ReplyDeletePragmatism.
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