Krugman: The Outside Man

[ProSense]

The Outside Man

Yes, I’ve heard about the notion that I should be nominated as Treasury Secretary. I’m flattered, but it really is a bad idea.

Part of the reason is that I am indeed the World’s Worst Administrator — and that does matter. Someone else can do the paperwork — but an administrative job requires making hiring and firing decisions, it means keeping track of many things, and that, to say the least, is not my forte...and there’s not a chance that I would be confirmed.

<...>

So first of all, let’s talk frankly about the job I have. The New York Times isn’t just some newspaper somewhere, it’s the nation’s paper of record. As a result, being an op-ed columnist at the Times is a pretty big deal — one I’m immensely grateful to have been granted — and those who hold the position, if they know how to use it effectively, have a lot more influence on national debate than, say, most senators. Does anyone doubt that the White House pays attention to what I write?

<...>

So again, I’m flattered — but I think I should stay in my current position as Mr. Outside, an annoying if sympathetic voice they can’t ignore.

http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/01/07/the-outside-man/

[Fumesucker]

1. Smart man

He might as well stick his head in a commercial sized blender as be nominated to Treasury Secretary.

Just for starters they'd have to dig him out from under an immense pile of dried Republican spittle.

[kag]

2. Eeewww. But accurate. n/t

[Festivito]

3. That was refreshingly honorable.

Nice to hear. He might well have more influence from where he sits.

[supercats]

4. Thats A Chicken SH#t Excuse

I like and respect Paul Krugman, but to sit on the sidelines and throw stones
even though I agree with his points 99% of the time, actually does very little to change things in our country. If he actually made his voice known within the administration, then maybe things would change. He just sounds like a scared little boy afraid of the unknown. I do not respect him for running away and hiding.

[pnwmom]

7. No, it's frank and realistic.

Unlike many of the comments around here.

[TwilightGardener]

5. Ah well.

[rosesaylavee]

6. I appreciate his 'annoying if sympathetic voice'

And I think he's right about staying put.

[starroute]

8. I've heard that a lot of good programmers turns into lousy administrators

And I think the same would probably be true of Krugman. He's a numbers geek -- not somebody who can organize departments and tell other people what to do. He'd be a terrible administrator, and it's a good thing that he knows it.