What Obama is doing is common. I saw it in many administrations up here. You keep the seasoned politicos around you at all times. No loose cannons. Krugman and Stiglitz would be considered loose cannons.
There is a cadre of democratic politicos, same with Republicans. Look who Obama keeps around him. Daley, Sperling Geithner, Rahm, Axelrod, Gibbs Summers, and lots of the Clinton gang and on and on. They know how to write memos, they know the game and they know the players and the big money lobbyists who are really powerful. Often more powerful than the legislators.
Few people know how the game is played. I have written legislation and moved it all the way through the ligislature to law. I used certain legislators and different power groups e.g. the Native leaders were usually allies I could rely on.
The two guys Obama picked from Alaska I knew well. Both were hard core politicos. But not necessarily dems. One was, although he was an opportunist. The other was an editor who endorsed my opponent when I ran for office even though he was a right wing Republican (and asshole) and I beat him two to 1 in the primary.
but I was still a 3 to 1 under dog, as he was an incumbant and the editor wanted to back the winner and was playing the odds! I had no money (really no money), but I kicked his ass in the debates. But the editor knew big oil would pour money in and nail me. They did.
Obama is a totally pragmatic politician pure and simple. Whatever it takes to stay on power and rule is all that matters and no fucking loose cannons.
I never made it past division director because I was always considered a loose cannon. I was always hired as a last resort because I could do the job and was just enough of a team player and did know how to write memo and ticklers.
PS a loose cannon is someone who has a line they will not cross and is compelled to tell the truth. Understand clearly, that Krugman and Stiglitz were not asked to help because they were considered loose cannons. Truth tellers and not controllable. |
