http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2011/06/03/235422/boehner-economists-politicians/An analysis by the Huffington Post finds a cadre of economists — termed “robo-signers for GOP economic policy” — who are repeatedly trotted out by House Speaker Rep. John Boehner (R-OH) to sign letters of approval for Republican supply-side policies. The latest pro-GOP economist letter, which voices support for tying spending cuts to raising the debt ceiling, includes major Republican donors, partisans who have accused Michelle Obama of being a product of “affirmative action coddling,” and even a set of Republican politicians who have run for office. One pro-Boehner economist is an actual sitting Republican office-holder, State Rep. King Banaian (R-MN).
Boehner-Backing Economists Have Deep Republican Ties
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/04/05/boehner-economists-republican-ties_n_844941.htmlWhenever House Republicans are about to vote on bills that could affect the economy, Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) trots out a list of economists supporting the GOP's position -- most recently, in favor of tying spending cuts to raising the debt ceiling. A close look at these economists, however, reveals many of them to be anything but impartial arbiters.
Some of these economists have worked for Republican politicians or run for office as Republicans. Many have contributed generously to GOP political campaigns. And many more have ties to right-wing organizations that frequently serve as holding tanks for conservative experts awaiting a Republican White House.
"I find it very unsettling -- the whole idea that the profession can be politicized and used for political purposes," said Isabel Sawhill, an economist and senior fellow with the left-of-center Brookings Institution. "So I don't like this at all."
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