Jason Furman: Ex-Knife Juggler Turned Obama Econ Adviser

New York Sun:

As the new economic policy director on Senator Obama's presidential bid, Jason Furman will have to juggle the competing demands of labor leaders, corporate titans, scoop-seeking reporters, and erudite academics. His experience as a White House adviser and aide to a Nobel-winning economist will surely come in handy, but in the maelstrom of a fast-moving campaign he may draw more on the skills he honed two decades ago juggling torches, knives, and bowling balls for tourists on the streets of New York.
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"It was mostly in Washington Square Park and on Columbus Avenue," Mr. Furman, 37, said in an interview, taking care not to exaggerate the abilities he showcased as a high school student. "Sometimes it was a bowling ball and egg and an apple. I never did three bowling balls. Just one."

Read the whole story: New York Sun

Comments

[Jazzcomedian]

I think it's an appropriate choice. Obama's gonna need someone skilled in that art to juggle all the economic knives that Bush has created.

[smoo]

WTF, this can not be good. This guy derives utility from beating the odds of juggling knives. Man... I don't know about this. If there is any good news in this it would be that he knows so much about what he is doing and he is so cautions that and so meticulous and so disciplined that he knows that he has so a mastery that he feels safe to act a damn fool. Wow. I need a T-shirt that reads “don't f*ck with me, I juggle knives"

[RealityBaseCamp]

See? This is the kind of progressive thinking we need in any new administration! Trained by the best, experienced and unafraid! Juggling knives ain't just a metaphor, people!

[mahoner]

Must be a slow news day when ex-knife jugglers make a headline. I understand the need to keep stories running about the campaigns until things get real testy come September but...cmon now.

[coba]

yeah slow news day

http://sensico.wordpress.com/

[toochie]

WTF. Is this our best and brightest? Obama's choice of surrogates so far is not that impressive. Time to get serious with $5.00 a gallon gas and crack selling cheaper than a can of corn.

[SMP]

Sometimes the "nerds" are your brightest and most loyal people....­.........s­o dont knock it........­...He is afterall, an expert economist. Wise move on Sen Obamas part.

[4wehttam]

Well, all I can say is his TEAM is genius so far. They beat the biggest machine in modern political history.

[brooklynjoey]

Brooklyn Joey says......

Man who juggle knives will soon be looking for someone to lend him a hand!

BJ

[Zhonni]

Arrrrrgh, watchout for the Knife!!! lol