Obama's selection of Jason Furman as economic advisor is criticized

[jgraz]

This is posted in the spirit of constructive criticism of Obama's choice of economic advisors. Please keep the discussion positive and make sure to let the Obama campaign know what you think of his choice of Jason Furman as his economic policy director.

Obama's selection of Jason Furman as economic advisor is criticized

Labor union officials and some liberal activists say Furman is too enamored of globalization and too easy on Wal-Mart.

WASHINGTON -- Labor union officials and some liberal activists were seething Tuesday over Barack Obama's choice of centrist economist Jason Furman as the top economic advisor for the campaign. The critics say Furman, who was appointed to the post Monday, has overstated the potential benefits of globalization, Social Security private accounts and the low prices offered by Wal-Mart -- considered a corporate pariah by the labor movement.

Officials from several labor organizations phoned the Obama campaign to complain about the appointment and circulated e-mail messages containing quotes from some of Furman's work. Campaign officials responded that some of the quotes were inaccurate or out of context. They expressed confidence in Furman's abilities and said that Obama would be listening to an array of advisors.

<snip>

Furman, 37, is linked closely to Robert Rubin, a Wall Street insider and Clinton economics aide who eventually became Treasury secretary. Rubin's views on global trade and deficit reduction riled liberal economists and labor activists, though his presence gave the Clinton administration valuable credibility in the business and financial communities.

"We are very much taken aback that Furman has been put at the head of this team," said Marco Trbovich, a senior aide to United Steelworkers President Leo W. Gerard, whose support is considered crucial to Obama's success in heavily unionized areas of Pennsylvania, Ohio, Minnesota and other battleground states.

<snip>

"He is a very bright fellow, but he is an unalloyed cheerleader for the trade policies that have been very destructive to manufacturing jobs in this country," Trbovich said. "There are very serious concerns" about his appointment.

More at http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-furman11-2008jun11,0,2347842.story

[dkf]

1. I want Obama to have advisors of every stripe so his decisions are based

on all sides of the issue.

He has shown excellent judgment so far. The more views he hears, I imagine the better decision he will make.

[jgraz]

2. This one has a definite fox-in-the-henhouse feel to it.

I realize Obama should listen to all points of view, but does he really need a rehash of discredited policies to round out his perspective? Perhaps he should also add David Stockman to his team... :shrug:

[dkf]

8. You need someone arguing from the opposite point of view to make you sharper

in your defense and offense.

That is definitely something I've learned from DU.

[jgraz]

10. I hope that's all it is.

However, there's nothing wrong with letting Obama know how we feel about this guy, is there?

[dkf]

11. No one holding you back :)

[jgraz]

12. Believe me, I've already sent them my feelings on this guy

I'm hoping others will do the same. This is what Obama's "bottom-up" politics is all about.

[FrenchieCat]

3. I've seen so many threads of this one editorial, till it ain't even funny!

Here's a few.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x6344545

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x6348223

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x3429678

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x6349253

[mcctatas]

4. Well of course, this is HUGH!!!1!!!!111!!!!!!!

morans;)

[TahitiNut]

6. Well, they're looking for truffles ... and coming up with trifles.

Understandable. :evilgrin: You do know 'who' searches for truffles, don't you? :rofl:

[jgraz]

9. I don't think it's a trifle.

And I'm not so sure I like your implications either, TN. You know I've been on Team Obama since Edwards dropped out. If we don't challenge him from the left, we're likely to end up with The Clinton Years, Part Deux.

[FrenchieCat]

14. Did you read any of the threads I posted?

Because I think your harsh judgment is misplaced.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=6349942&mesg_id=6350054

[jgraz]

15. Yes, I read all of them.

I don't trust Furman, but I trust Obama (mostly). My only problem is with people who imply that raising these questions is somehow inappropriate.

[dailykoff]

5. If it's going to give him trouble politically

the guy's gotta go. Free trade is great and all but Obama has an election to win. :shrug:

[nebula]

7. I would feel a whole lot better if he ditched the Wal-Mart guy.

and put Robert Reich in his place.

[27inCali]

13. I trust Obama to send signals of centrism this GE

that aren't what our progressive hearts want to hear. he's saying, I'll hear that side of the story, not I'm in the hock to this guy or his ideology.

he's trying to win a GE folks, give him some room to make his move on the centrist independents.

thats how you win so you can actually start getting some progressive legislation through.