So, would Sec of Treasury or of Labor be beneath Krugman? He might think it too confining.

zazen

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Mon Oct-13-08 09:13 AM
Original message

So, would Sec of Treasury or of Labor be beneath Krugman? He might think it too confining.

I've known a few academics who've turned down govt posts because they detest the politics and prefer their autonomy. But it was always undersecretary stuff. I would have asked this even before he won the prize this morning, but do y'all think Krugman would accept one of those positions, and do you think Obama would nominate him?

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Barack_America

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Mon Oct-13-08 09:15 AM
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1. Krugman was brutal to Obama during the primaries.

I'd be surprised if he were first in line for anything.

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patrice

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Mon Oct-13-08 09:17 AM
Response to Reply #1

2. Obama has often said that he wants honest people who disagree around him

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Barack_America

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Mon Oct-13-08 09:21 AM
Response to Reply #2

6. Disagree = fine.

Publicly calling out your proposals = not fine.

And I doubt that Obama and Krugman actually really "disagree". Krugman was just trying to promote a different candidate.

I think that Obama has other, more trusted, choices for his cabinet.

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depakid

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Mon Oct-13-08 09:21 AM
Response to Reply #1

4. That's hogwash

Edited on Mon Oct-13-08 09:21 AM by depakid

With the exception of one article, Krugman simply did what he always does- analyze the policies, and draw fair conclusions based on what he saw.

That some people didn't like what he said- that's not "being brutal" to Obama- it's calling things like they are, rather than engaging in mindless hero worship or "yes-manship," neither of which are attractive qualities in a cabinet official or member of an administration.

Indeed, Obama has said as much himself several times.

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Barack_America

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Mon Oct-13-08 09:29 AM
Response to Reply #4

8. One article? They went at each other's throats for the better of 6 months or so.

Krugman said that Obama's healthcare plan was a disaster and that his supporters were "like Nixon".

That is not just a simple policy disagreement. That is personal.

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depakid

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Mon Oct-13-08 09:33 AM
Response to Reply #8

12. You're wrong

Edited on Mon Oct-13-08 09:34 AM by depakid

He never said supporters were like Nixon. Read the quote. In context.

Though given the nature of supporters duting that period, who would attack ANYONE who dared posit a criticism, any half objective person could understand the observation.

And as a matter of fact, Obama's health plan IS a disaster- by far the worst of the 3, and will do NOTHING to address the fundamental problems of America's health care system- won't deal with rising costs, won't deal effectively with adverse selection and won't provide greater access to primary care.

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woodsprite

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Mon Oct-13-08 09:18 AM
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3. IMO, we need the best of the best in all positions to get us out of this mess.

Even if it means working in a slot they deem lower than their standard. We just need to all work together for the next 8 years (hopefully longer), to set a new direction/course for America to sail. We need to recover from the disasterous whirlpool the republicans have created that would surely sink us.

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Phred42

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Mon Oct-13-08 09:21 AM
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5. Hopefully he and Obama could work it out

agree we need the best of the best (for a change)

what a concept! :crazy:

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nichomachus

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Mon Oct-13-08 09:22 AM
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7. Academics hate politics????

The politics of Washington DC is a Sunday school picnic compared to the politics on any campus. Oh God, those "academics" will rip your heart out and eat it in front of you.

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zazen

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Mon Oct-13-08 09:31 AM
Response to Reply #7

9. I should have said, beltline, electoral politics--I raise $ for universities. It _is_ bloody.

Edited on Mon Oct-13-08 09:31 AM by zazen

The humanities departments were usually the worst. Reminds me of something Mark Crispin Miller said . . ."it was like in the 90s, the Conservatives got the entire government, and the Liberals got the English Department."

Thank you for helping me clarify.

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Occam Bandage

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Mon Oct-13-08 09:32 AM
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10. Frankly, I'd have to think Krug wants to be where he is.

He's a successful, Nobel-prizewinning professor at one of the nation's most prestigious schools, and a highly influential and widely read columnist for the nation's paper of record. I can't imagine him tossing that aside to play apparatchik for four to eight years.

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zazen

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Mon Oct-13-08 09:33 AM
Response to Reply #10

11. yep, that's what I thought--often you have more influence outside than inside

and you can make your own hours.

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