tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2281443754502891373.post3858841831075405805..comments2023-09-16T09:09:18.691-04:00Comments on Kittywampus - now at kittywampus.wordpress.com: Prop 8 and Obama's Better AngelsSungoldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02153155221248240952noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2281443754502891373.post-81042570174431444312008-11-21T21:13:00.000-05:002008-11-21T21:13:00.000-05:00Kochanie, it's such a pleasure to "see" you again....Kochanie, it's such a pleasure to "see" you again. I knew you'd taken a sabbatical from blogging and I'm so glad you're back.<BR/><BR/>I think you're exactly right that Obama will need to move and shake things from day 1, and Emanuel should be able to make that happen.<BR/><BR/>My concern isn't so much about his SOB properties or abrasive manner. I worry that he's too close to the Clintonites and the DLC for my political taste. If he's merely an enforcer, that's one thing; but as a gatekeeper I'm afraid he may help steer policy too much toward the same old, same old. <BR/><BR/>Especially if Larry Summers gets picked for Treasury, I'm afraid we won't see meaningful and effective deregulation. After all, these Clinton-era gentlemen helped bring us the "reforms" of the late 1990s that set the stage for our current woes. I'd like to blame it all on Phil Gramm (oh, wouldn't that be sweet!) but it just ain't so.Sungoldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02153155221248240952noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2281443754502891373.post-44867271440341842612008-11-20T17:18:00.000-05:002008-11-20T17:18:00.000-05:00Sungold,I'm going to paraphrase FDR here to give...Sungold,<BR/><BR/>I'm going to paraphrase FDR here to give my two cents regarding Emanuel : <EM>He may be a son of a bitch but he is my son of a bitch.</EM><BR/><BR/>Obama has a very short period of time in which to establish his credibility and that means getting things done. With his knowledge of Wall Street and the investment banking houses, Emanuel is an excellent choice as gatekeeper for the President-Elect who has to grapple with the financial meltdown. Could Emanuel's abrasive manner backfire? Possibly, and if so, Obama can replace his bad cop. But I think the new administration will lose more points for inaction, not abrasion.<BR/><BR/>The resistance that the Clinton administration experienced was due, at least in part, to the brashness of some of its staff who delighted in thumbing their noses at the Reagan supporters. However, the current economic situation is far worse than when Clinton took office. If the ship is sinking, I don't care if the rescue team is abrasive and uses four-letter words. I just want a lifeboat.J.B. Kochaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03731276067288327319noreply@blogger.com