Government

Obama Recruits Progressive Clinton-Era Advisor to Fill Economic Vacancy

On Friday morning, President Barack Obama will named Gene Sperling as director of the National Economic Council (NEC), a position Sperling previously held from 1996 to 2000 and has most recently been working as a counselor to Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and as a Senior Fellow for Economic Policy and Director for the Council on Foreign Relations’ Center on Universal Education.Obama Recruits Progressive Clinton Era Advisor to Fill Economic Vacancy

The announcement comes as President Obama looks to fill a number of vacancies in his senior staff, including appointing William Daley as his new chief of staff. Sperling will fill the NEC post in lieu of Larry Summers’ recent departure, the Washington Post reports.

WaPo’s Ezra Klein notes how Sperlin‘s appointment continues Obama’s recent trend of selecting prior government officials to fill new vacancies within his administration:

William Daley, who was named chief of staff earlier today, is a former Secretary of Commerce. Jack Lew, who replaced Peter Orszag as head of the Office of Management and Budget, held the same position under President Clinton. Robert Gates, who leads the Defense Department, was a holdover from George W. Bush. Larry Summers, who Sperling is replacing, was Treasury Secretary under Clinton. And the list goes on. Expectations that Obama would begin to turn to people whose primary experience was outside government have not, thus far, been borne out in his staff shakeup.

Since leaving his post in 2000, Sperling hasn’t withdrawn from the political arena.  During the 2008 presidential election, he served as a chief economic advisor to then-Sen. Hillary Clinton’s campaign. Bloomberg news also notes that Sperling earned nearly $900,000 working for Goldman Sachs in 2008 and $158,000 for speeches.

It‘s unclear at this point how Obama’s decision to re-appoint Sperling to the NEC will play out with the president’s liberal base of support.  Many fear the Obama administration is already a little too cozy with Wall Street.

Before news of the announcement broke, The Huffington Post’s Will Alden warned that a Sperling appointment would “fuel perceptions that his administration is overly close to Wall Street, installing a policymaker who has not only overseen monumental deregulation of the financial sector, but has also collected hefty paychecks from its leading firms.”

On the other hand, Paul Begala, a former advisor to President Bill Clinton praised the decision to appoint Sperling.  “Gene did more good for the working poor in the Clinton White House than anyone else,” Begala says. “He was there for them in every single meeting.”

Sperling is the author of “The Pro-Growth Progressive: An Economic Strategy for Shared Prosperity,” a book that argues liberals should use market forces to pursue their progressive goals. In the book, Sperling suggests a number of liberal policy initiatives including universal pre-school and after-school programs; universal 401(k) plans; expanding the current progressive tax system; reversing the Bush-era tax cuts; increasing the federal minimum wage; and increasing taxes to balance the budget, fully fund Social Security and Medicare.

Sperling has also done extensive work as a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, publishing a number of reports on progressive policy priorities.

Comments (55)

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  • wash1776
    Posted on January 8, 2011 at 4:20am

    ANYONE OBUMMER recruits has to be bad news. He is out to destroy this country so he will only pick out the worst people he can find to help him finish the job. HE NEEDS TO BE VOTED OUT IN 2012!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Report Post »  
  • Tracking
    Posted on January 7, 2011 at 7:55pm

    Daley and Obama go way back. The “Chicago Way.” It is all documented and public information.
    I am a little curious, since Daley is a Commerce expert and the Health Care Law is being defended under the Commerce Clause in the Courts. Who better to have with you and on your side?

    I don’t know if you all remeber, Obama on TV and campaigning for the new health care act, saying that is is NOT A TAX. He said over 300 times. make no mistake, this is not a TAX on the american people.
    Now, in court, they are defending it under the commerce clause as a TAX so it will fall under the clause as legal. Ironic isn’t it? The JUdge, bless him, told them right in court, that you cannot tell the country and the american people one thing and then come into his court and claim it‘s something else because it fit’s your claims when convenient.
    Talk about a liar. Obama is the great deceiver.

    Perhaps he will actually surprise himself and grow into the job he was actually elected to do at taxpayers expense, no less.

    He probably, in the past, worked for a Law Firm named, ” DEWEY, CHEATUM and HOWE. LOL

    Report Post »  
  • Bill Wallace
    Posted on January 7, 2011 at 7:50pm

    Wait a minute. Wasn’t the Dems and Obama railing against the big salaries that those on Wall Street were getting?

    And then he hires the same crooked bastards to fill a vacancy in his administration?

    Very ironic. Birds of a feather flock together…

    Report Post »  
  • Lucy Larue
    Posted on January 7, 2011 at 7:13pm

    All of his picks are just like him…., our President Barry Dunham, I mean. They’re all over the place.
    Daley is business savvy.Sperling is anethama to righting the course of this nation.
    The only commonality is that ALL of his picks are reruns.

    They say a country gets the leaders they deserve. Barry is gearing up for 2012.

    If he does get reelected…, then I will know for sure that the old POGO comic strip was correct when it stated,”We have met the enemy and He is Us!”.

    It scares me that a second term for Barry Dunham could actually happen!

    Report Post »  
  • Its Gonna Getcha
    Posted on January 7, 2011 at 6:25pm

    Between this and Jerry Brown being Governor of California AGAIN, just proves that “progressive” only means going back in a time to fail AGAIN.

    Report Post » Its Gonna Getcha  
  • Devil Dog 7175
    Posted on January 7, 2011 at 5:55pm

    Grasping for straws are we???

    Report Post » Devil Dog 7175  
  • awiderview
    Posted on January 7, 2011 at 5:12pm

    Let’s see if we can get a little real thinking here.
    So, who would you like to help guide us through these difficult times? Please give me the names of the economic wizards you believe would help to get the economy rolling.

    Report Post »  
    • Banter
      Posted on January 7, 2011 at 6:22pm

      Peter Schiff

      Report Post » Banter  
    • awiderview
      Posted on January 7, 2011 at 7:36pm

      Peter Shiff certainly has the ear of many in Congress…we’ll see what becomes of it. No easy answers here.

      Report Post »  
    • Banter
      Posted on January 7, 2011 at 8:28pm

      Agreed, no easy answers. Schiff would never even be considered in this admin, but one can dream for a minute. Bottom line, politics can’t solve these problems. If the newly elected R’s actually do what they say, they will piss off the independents (the true me, me, me group) and the cycle will go the other way, with D’s back in power. All we can do is slow the change-train down.

      Report Post » Banter  
  • Living In NYC
    Posted on January 7, 2011 at 4:57pm

    mmmmmmmmmmm….what does Wizard Barry really have behind the curtain!

    Report Post » Living In NYC  
  • clockwatcher
    Posted on January 7, 2011 at 4:05pm

    Yet another left wing gay man joining the Black Jimmy Carter, oh joy.

    Report Post » clockwatcher  
  • stmike
    Posted on January 7, 2011 at 3:07pm

    I guess nobody remembers Bush inherited a recession from Clinton and this guy surely had a hand in that mess. Ugh. LIberalism, ideas so good they have to be mandatory! Sorry that was off topic but this is why libs always want to do things on the federal level. So you can’t escape!

    Report Post »  
  • APatriotFirst
    Posted on January 7, 2011 at 2:34pm

    Very interesting stuff here………

    http://www.americanthinker.com/2007/05/the_soros_political_machine.html

    Report Post »  
  • BoilitDown
    Posted on January 7, 2011 at 2:25pm

    The Clinton re-treads are an obvious attempt to give the impression that Obama is moving to the center since they were involved in Clinton’s comeback in the latter half of his terms. The problem is that this is an entirely different world than it was back then and Obama has taken the country a great deal further into the leftist abyss. Dragging such a radically left president to the center seems highly unlikely.

    Report Post »  
  • psst
    Posted on January 7, 2011 at 2:13pm

    Rush played the assorted mantras/babblings of the MSM this morning.
    He’s acting like Clinton
    Clintonesque
    Looking like Clinton
    Moving to the center like Clinton.
    Like Clinton-like Clinton-like Clinton-like Clinton blah-blah-blah.
    O-mama and bilLIE will soon be on Mt Rushmore.
    In bilLIe’s defense, I don‘t think he’s a marxist like his wife.He is a socialist lite. kilLIEry and O-mama are on the same page.
    Certainly nowhere near the the bigtime marxist o-mama is.
    bilLIE could pull it off because he was/is likeable and not steeped in hard marxist ideology like O-mama is..
    O-mama can’t be a bilLIE, his true marxist ideology won’t let him. His lips/actions may say he’s moving to the center, but everyone knows he is/will be lying
    It’s really hard for communists to pretend they are not. In fact, IMO, it’s downright impossible.

    Report Post »  
    • Tracking
      Posted on January 7, 2011 at 8:00pm

      Does Obama like the same brand of Cigars as Clinton I wonder?
      Clinton showed us one thing very clearly: He had no respect for his wife and family.
      No respect for the White House, his staffers or his job.
      He had no respect for himself.
      He was a disgrace to his office and presidency.
      He was, is, a liar and a disgrace and yet people still love him. Must be liberals….

      Report Post »  
  • lionslayer44
    Posted on January 7, 2011 at 1:44pm

    Every time little barry has a problem uncle bill or one of his cronies steps in to save him. This is getting lame, I for one am tired of the game playing if they want to try and take over the country lets get this ball rolling. I understand why they are waiting, the longer people stay broke and confused the easier it will be to herd them later. right now they are taking away all our resources for survival without govt. intervention. stock up food, water, ammo, fuel. be prepared

    Report Post » lionslayer44  
  • Rich HOffman
    Posted on January 7, 2011 at 1:32pm

    Hearing his name mentioned with Geithner is enough to say this is a bad pick!

    http://overmanwarrior.wordpress.com/

    Report Post »  
  • Skwerl E. Muckenfutch
    Posted on January 7, 2011 at 1:27pm

    So basically you swapped out one progressive ninny for another. That’s not change we can believe in, that’s maintenance.

    Report Post »  
  • obama_binpharteen
    Posted on January 7, 2011 at 1:25pm

    This is a little off topic, but this is the 2nd story I’ve read in the last 2 days where the Blaze referred to the Huffington post. Odd, since Glenn Beck added Betsy Morgan as the new CEO.

    Report Post » obama_binpharteen  
  • ChemTeacher
    Posted on January 7, 2011 at 1:22pm

    I see it more as a desperate Obama trying to appear more Clintonesque in an attempt to get four more years. The problem is too much damage has been done. Obama will spend the next two years defending the indefensible and rationalizing away (blaming Bush) the reasons for nonexistant economic recovery. He is not capable of mustering the fake sincerity of a Clinton ( “I feel your pain”). His arrogance is just too great, and in the end will destroy him. The key for conservatives is to make sure they keep the spotlight on the insanity of the past 2 years. Pelosi wants to claim credit for all of this, then get her up there and make her explain how it helped the country. There won’t be enough botox on the planet to erase the worry lines that will create on her face.

    Report Post » ChemTeacher  
  • pamela kay
    Posted on January 7, 2011 at 1:20pm

    They are working day and night on obama’s 2012 run for president. Calling in every progressive expert they can find. Looks like “We the People” have shook them up allot more than they ever imagined possible. We are in for a no holes barred next two years. I am so curious of the dollar amount that has and will be spent to take this country down, and re-elect this Soros puppet. I think even we might be shocked at the staggering amount.

    Report Post » pamela kay  
  • neverending
    Posted on January 7, 2011 at 1:12pm

    It is wasn’t so serious it would be laughable. our little barry boy has to go to daddy clinton more and more and daddy clinton lets him use him. Aren’t they just all so special? NOT

    Report Post »  
    • kryptonite
      Posted on January 7, 2011 at 7:03pm

      “…Clinton let’s him use him?” Uh oh, I just got this picture in my head…

      Report Post »  
  • GhostOfJefferson
    Posted on January 7, 2011 at 1:10pm

    Looks like they found a new bag for the power vacuum.

    Report Post » GhostOfJefferson  
  • 8jrts
    Posted on January 7, 2011 at 1:08pm

    One of “Spooky Dude’s” close minions at the helm…..and we all know America stands in the way of his agenda, he said so.

    Report Post » 8jrts  
    • snowleopard3200 {cat folk art}
      Posted on January 7, 2011 at 1:11pm

      I read an article linked with the Blaze Blog Sight about the two senior sons of Soros; they are not too far away from the father’s own tree on world destruction.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • 8jrts
      Posted on January 7, 2011 at 1:23pm

      @snow I’d like to read that article.

      Report Post » 8jrts  
    • 8jrts
      Posted on January 7, 2011 at 1:34pm

      @snow Thanks for the heads up on the article….very interesting!!

      Report Post » 8jrts  
    • Showtime
      Posted on January 7, 2011 at 6:08pm

      @ Snow
      Oh Lord! Please don’t tell me that! He’s bad enough already!

      Report Post » Showtime  
  • bassist237
    Posted on January 7, 2011 at 1:07pm

    Would you expect anything less?

    Report Post » bassist237  
    • untameable-kate
      Posted on January 7, 2011 at 2:46pm

      So if he was on Hillarys staff during the presitential election does that make him a birther too?

      Report Post » Untameable-kate  
  • Johnnyp1958
    Posted on January 7, 2011 at 1:03pm

    A Recycle of the communist left’s Trash

    Report Post »  
    • tobywil2
      Posted on January 7, 2011 at 1:24pm

      The “Progressive Movement” is simply the transition between individual freedom (Capitalism) and Tyranny!
      http://commonsense21c.com/

      Report Post » tobywil2  
    • CatB
      Posted on January 7, 2011 at 3:36pm

      Obama is loading up on Clintonistas thinking that will get him re-elected … that would be the end of the country .. hopefully enough people have been awakened to that fact! It is up to those of us who are not fooled to stand up between now and the election and inform others.

      Report Post »  
  • Johnnyp1958
    Posted on January 7, 2011 at 1:00pm

    This looks like the old 1-2 punch to finally destroy our system of economics

    Report Post »  
  • psst
    Posted on January 7, 2011 at 2:15pm

    I disagree that O-mama is a socialist.
    IMO, he’s a full blown hard-core marxist.

    Report Post »  
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