As expected, looks like Obama will pick Lew to replace Geithner as Treas. Sec.

[Mr. Morden]

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-01-07/obama-said-close-to-choosing-lew-for-treasury-following-geithner.html

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This of course means that he'll need a new chief of staff.  The latest two names in the mix are Ron Klain (of 2000 Bush-Gore recount fame) and Denis McDonough.

[You kip if you want to...]

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-01-07/obama-said-close-to-choosing-lew-for-treasury-following-geithner.html

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This of course means that he'll need a new chief of staff.  The latest two names in the mix are Ron Klain (of 2000 Bush-Gore recount fame) and Denis McDonough.

Klain being poached from Biden, I see.

[memphis]

He should just let Senate Republicans choose the nominees. He'll do whatever they say anyhow.

[Paul Kemp]

He should just let Senate Republicans choose the nominees. He'll do whatever they say anyhow.

Is that the case with Lew?

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

He's not going to get any brownie points with those who keep writing articles that there aren't enough women in his administration.  But giving  your Chief of Staff a Secretary's job isn't unheard of at all.

[Franzl]

Wasn't he the one who drafted Hillarycare back in the '90s? Oy...

I feel like a bit of a broken record opposing everybody.

EDIT: I support Kerry. And Shinseki. That's two.

You understand that secretaries work for the President?

[Beet]

Wasn't he the one who drafted Hillarycare back in the '90s? Oy...

You're thinking of Ira Magaziner. I'll always remember that funny name and the management consulting schtick.

[Vosem]

Wasn't he the one who drafted Hillarycare back in the '90s? Oy...

You're thinking of Ira Magaziner. I'll always remember that funny name and the management consulting schtick.

I have in fact confused him with Magaziner, yes. Did some light reading on Lew now that I had time; he seems to be OK. He was confirmed by a Republican-controlled Senate to OMB Director back in '98 (and again more recently), so he should be fine. Who knows, though, Hagel was a Republican Senator back then.

You understand that secretaries work for the President?

Does that mean I should automatically support the nomination of people who I am ideologically opposed to/who I don't believe will do well in their post?

[Franzl]

As long as they're not clearly incompetent, of course. It's the President's cabinet, and he has a mandate to govern.

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

As long as they're not clearly incompetent, of course. It's the President's cabinet, and he has a mandate to govern.

I think there is a line, good Franzl, between not opposing (and voting for) the President's objectively competent nominees, and supporting them.  I don't support the Kerry nomination because I can't stand the guy, but I wouldn't oppose it if I had a vote....he's clearly qualified.

[Vosem]

As long as they're not clearly incompetent, of course. It's the President's cabinet, and he has a mandate to govern.

I don't know. While an element of realism has to be maintained, since only the President can nominate (see Jack Lew; Reps won't get anyone better), I think if you can reasonably expect someone ideologically better from the President if his nominee is defeated (see Chuck Hagel), I think Senators would be perfectly justified voting against the nomination. I suppose it could come down to whether you, as an opposition Senator, believe your own mandate or the President's is more important.

[Joe Republic]

Well as long as he has the approval of a 15 year old kid on the Internet, he's safe.  I was concerned for a minute!

[Maxwell]

It seems like every nominee EXCEPT for Hagel (besides Kerry, obv.) I have been against. Brennan is horrendous and so is this guy.

[Zioneer]

Jack Lew has literally the worst signature.

[Mr. Morden]

Jack Lew has literally the worst signature.

And doesn't the Secretary of the Treasury's signature show up on dollar bills minted during his tenure in office?  Are you all ready for 2013 dollar bills with all these loops?

[Lief 🗽]

Reasons enough to confirm him ASAP.

[Benj]

Geithner had a similar signature that he changed once he became Secretary. We'll never get squiggle-bills.