Obama Strongly Hints At Warren Nomination To Head Consumer Bureau

[cal04]

Ryan Grim
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/09/10/obama-hints-at-warren-nom_n_712282.html

President Obama hailed his long friendship with Harvard Professor Elizabeth Warren on Friday, crediting her at his new conference with the idea for what has since become the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, when asked whether she was still the leading candidate to run it. After calling her a "dear friend" and adding that he's known her since he was in law school, he strongly hinted that she would be the eventual nominee by qualifying that he was "not going to make an official announcement until it's ready."

Obama's clear emphasis on "official" left little room for doubt that the matter is all but decided. Speculation has swirled that Obama would name Warren to head the agency during the summer recess to avoid a confirmation battle. His opportunity to do so expires early next week, when Congress returns. But he could also recess appoint Warren in October, after Congress recesses to campaign for reelection.

"The idea for this agency was Elizabeth Warren's. She's a dear friend of mine. She's somebody I've known since I was in law school. And I have been in conversations with her. She is a tremendous advocate for this idea," he said. "I'll have an announcement soon about how we're going to move forward. I have had conversations with Elizabeth over these last couple of months. But I'm not going to make an official announcement until it's ready."

(snip)
Asked by Bloomberg News if he was concerned that Warren would have trouble being confirmed by the Senate, Obama said that even an appointment for dogcatcher would have trouble getting through the divided Senate under such partisan conditions.


Greg Sargent's comments
Did Obama hint he's going to appoint Elizabeth Warren?
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/plum-line/2010/09/did_obama_hint_that_hes_going.html

[bluestateguy]

1. I think the chances are good he will appoint her

How hard he fights to get her confirmed in the Senate? Well that's another matter.

[jgraz]

2. I'll wait for the official announcement before I start celebrating.

[TheWraith]

3. And then, I'm sure, you'll still find a reason to be dissatisfied. nt

[jgraz]

4. It must be so annoying for you when people don't unquestioningly accept whatever Obama does

If Obama gives me a reason to be dissatisfied, I'll be dissatisfied. And I'll say so -- no matter how often you try to whine me and others into silence.

[avaistheone1]

9. +10

[Doctor_J]

5. Can someone tell ne WTF he's waiting for?

:wtf:

[Dr.Phool]

6. Permission from Goldman Sucks?

[jgraz]

7. I'm worried he's waiting for Elizabeth to agree to some private deals.

Like, maybe, not do too much "consumer protection" on GoldSacks.

[Hawkowl]

8. Obama won't pass health reform without a public option

All he is doing is hinting? Hinting at Elizabeth Warren? What he's waiting to see if Jamie Dimon doesn't want the job?