These two things can't possibly both be true

[scheming daemons]

1. The new "advisory" position that Elizabeth Warren quit her job at Harvard to accept has no power and is a meaningless appointment meant to placate disgruntled progressives.

2. Elizabeth Warren is an intelligent, accomplished woman of impeccable character and wisdom who is a champion of progressive economic values.


If 1 is true, then 2 is false. If 2 is true, then 1 is false.


Personally... I think Warren is outstanding, intelligent, and has all the right viewpoints and experience.


If you think this Advisory job is meaningless, then you think Warren is stupid or a sell-out. You also have to believe that Rachel Maddow is a cheerleading stooge of the administration.



Those that want to downplay this appointment, or find a way to use it as yet more proof that Obama doesn't care about progressives, are in a box.


Which is it?

Is Warren stupid and/or a sellout? or are you wrong about Obama this time?

There's no other option.

[LiberalLoner]

1. Great post! I think maybe the pessimism about President Obama was wrong. n/t

[ThomWV]

2. This substitute appointment only shows an Administration afraid to stand up to the minority Party.

It's like being afraid of a scary midget.

[scheming daemons]

3. There's one vote for the "Warren is stupid or a sell out" side

[chimpymustgo]

5. Or afraid to stand up FOR THE PEOPLE. I think Warren knows she's the only thing standing between us

and the thieves. She'll do her best.

[blondeatlast]

4. I find the prevalence of point 1 very insulting to Ms. Warren.

That is all.

[MineralMan]

8. Well, it seems clear that some who said they wanted Warren to

run this agency only wanted attention. I can't think of any other explanation for the current downplaying of this appointment. She will begin organizing the agency very shortly and will end up being nominated for the post in good time. In the meantime, it will be her agency.

And for those who whine about her working for Geithner, I would remind them that Geithner has a boss, too, who can say, "Make it so, Timothy. Make it so."

I'm alarmed, but not surprised, that some are denigrating this important appointment. For what reason they might be doing that, I have only suspicions, which will remain unstated.

[phantom power]

6. I think there may be something wrong with your logic.

the job could, theoretically, be meant to placate progressives, and/or be "meaningless", and Warren might just be mistaken. That is, neither stupid nor a sell-out.


However, I actually think it's a great move, and one of the things that Obama has done that I'm unambiguously happy about.

[scheming daemons]

7. If one thinks she's mistaken, then that is an indictment of her credentials for the job

I think she's smarter than that.

[MineralMan]

9. And if she's not smarter than that, she shouldn't have the job.

So, I believe she is, indeed, smarter than that, and much smarter than the current crop of detractors.

[Bonhomme Richard]

10. What they tell her now and what they allow her to do....

then are two different things.

[scheming daemons]

11. So you are saying she is naive and

...didn't get some guarantees up front.


Got it.



I disagree with you and think much more highly of her.

[pscot]

12. It seems like many progressives just aren't sure

Mr. Obama can be trusted. There is a sense that he's gaming this business; trying to have it both ways.

[SidDithers]

13. K&R...nt

Sid