Obama's Treasury Secretary: Jon Corzine?

BloggingStocks suggested that Obama's Treasury Secretary might be Jon Corzine. Corzine is the governor of New Jersey, and has a background in finance.

From Jon Corzine's bio:

As New Jersey's 54th governor, Jon S. Corzine has applied his experience as a Wall Street executive and as consensus builder in the United States Senate to advance an agenda of socially-conscience initiatives, while maintaining a focus on financial responsibility. Governor Corzine began his Wall Street career in 1975, when he was recruited by the New York investment firm Goldman Sachs. After taking a job with the firm as a bond trader, he and his family settled in New Jersey. Corzine's financial acumen propelled him through the ranks at Goldman Sachs, where he was named a partner in 1980, became a key player in crucial strategic decisions, and was eventually named chairman and chief executive officer in 1994.

Corzine assumed the helm of Goldman Sachs during a troubling time, as the firm had suffered massive losses resulting from a downturn in the bond market. Through strategic initiatives that included realistic expectations, risk diversification, and a methodical approach to the future, Corzine reversed the fortunes of the firm and restored its longtime status as the leader of the investment banking industry.

Comments

[pianogoosie]

10:46 AM on 11/30/2008

I am one of the few republicans in NJ, and here is my take on things:

With Obama, we are completely and utterly screwed already, so PLEASE take Corzine, because I believe there is no person on this entire planet that could do a worse job than he has done to NJ, and although our country is going to go down the tubes, and if we get a new governer, things will get a little better. And I know I am going to get attacked for saying how much I hate Obama, so I am going to explain myself:

A: Universal healthcare doesn't work!!! Talk to a few canadians and you will see. The lines outside emergency rooms are so long, people are dying before they even get in!

B: Distribution of wealth is the most idiotic idea I have ever heard of. You work hard you get more money. That is how life is. By creating distribution of wealth all you are doing is completely destroying the american dream.

C: How does he expect to lower taxes for the middle class? Who will be voting to see if that will be done? THE CONGRESS, who are NOT the middle class, and by voting for that bill to pass they will be raising their own taxes. Will they vote to raise their own taxes? I think not!

[spiffdeb]

10:46 PM on 11/07/2008

I live in NJ. Take Jon Corzine... PLEASE! The guy is a disaster. Dates the head of the biggest state workers employee union and then gives them a sweetheart contract, never met a tax hike he didn't like, has done zero on property tax reform which is the BIGGEST concern of all nj residents who pay the highest property taxes in the country.

I don't know how he ran Goldman Sachs...maybe that was before the lobotomy.

[OneNameOnly]

04:39 PM on 11/07/2008

You hit the nail, right on the head buddy! Corzine wants to leave before the obvious landslide. He wanted to retire before he has to give that fateful news conference that N.J. is no longer a state of its own. Who will get the first piece, Pennsylvania?.. I say Maine! But any place that will hire a toothless (supposedly rehabbed) drug addict directly off the streets to "supervise" an apartment building, and then keep him after he's fallen off the wagon ninety times in 1.5 years, harassed and even STALKED tenants, wrecked company vehicles, and even burned down an apartment that is now deemed completely condemned, didn't have a future anyway. SHOOT A BEAR, SAVE A TREE-YIPEEEEE!!!

[sosnj]

08:56 PM on 11/06/2008

"Jon Corzine clearly remains firmly fixed under the influence of George Norcross. When the Assembly voted on Monday to pass a tax hike convention, Jon Corzine refused to stand up to Joe Roberts and tell him it was a bad idea. In the past, Corzine has said that the controlling property taxes required controlling spending. Yet when the rubber met the road and it was time to vote, his loyalty to George Norcross prevented him from standing up and telling Roberts that he was dead wrong to prevent the convention from even being allowed to discuss

[sosnj]

08:51 PM on 11/06/2008

Dear Obama,

Corzine has not fared well in recent independent polls: Quinnipiac University released a new survey on Wednesday showing half of the voters say Corzine does not deserve to be re-elected.

The concerns are more stark in Corzine's own poll. To gauge the impact of the Katz controversy, Corzine's pollster asked detailed questions about the public's view of his relationship with Katz, who was ousted in July as president of the largest state-worker union. The questions included references to allegations of financial improprieties against Katz by the Communications Workers of America, and noted that she is now the subject of a criminal investigation conducted by Christie's office.

Corzine names Norcross lawyer as Camden ProsecutorBy Wally Edge
Good news for South Jersey Democratic leader George Norcross: a partner in the law firm that represents Norcross personally, Brown & Connery, is expected to become the new Camden County Prosecutor. Gov. Jon Corzine nominated Warren Faulk to the post yesterday. Presumably, the all-Democratic State Senate delegation from Camden County will sign off on the nomination.

[ClosetExtrovert]

03:07 PM on 11/06/2008

Oh yeah..he's done so much for NJ. We pay the highest property taxes in the nation and our defiticit could cover a month in Iraq.
Is this REALLY the best choice?

[santamonica39]

01:49 PM on 11/06/2008

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Can we keep these Wall Street bozos out of the cabinet pleeeease!!!

Barack - please consider Robert Reich!

[NJCorzineHater]

07:41 PM on 11/05/2008

RUFKM? ANOTHER Goldman Boy? Change? What Change? Spare Change?

What a joke.

A day after the election, right out of the gate. Just ask any resident of NJ about what an absolute colossal failure ("EPIC FAIL" as the young kids say) this clown has been. Sure Corzine wants it, hes gotta get outta here while the gettin is good.

[koufax]

06:19 PM on 11/05/2008

heard from a very good source that Nelson A. Diaz is strongly being considered for Sec. of HUD. He was Clinton's General Counsel for HUD and would be a terrific choice.

[Wiredwilly]

06:08 PM on 11/05/2008

RON PAUL : Sec. of Treasury
Let's see if " Mr Change " will actually CHANGE anything. LOL Yeah, right.
Obama is just another con man

[marijam]

05:44 PM on 11/05/2008

What's that guys name who writes columns on the economy for THE NATION? He predicted all of this economic meltdown.

[darbu]

06:00 PM on 11/05/2008

I agree we should get away from the wall street insiders - Robert Reich should be seriously considered.

[darbu]

06:07 PM on 11/05/2008

Robert Reich should be seriously considered.

[marijam]

05:43 PM on 11/05/2008

Is it possible to have a non-Wall Streeter or former Wall Streeter? These guys would be like the fox watching the hen house. We've had our fill of that.

[b8akaratn]

06:42 PM on 11/05/2008

I wonder about that too. But maybe it's like companies who make anti-virus software & hire computer hackers to write their code -- you need someone with the inside knowledge to be able to beat those who would do wrong... maybe...?

[santamonica39]

01:51 PM on 11/06/2008

No - you do NOT need to be a Goldman CEO to be Treasury Secretary. This is how we've gotten into this mess in the first place

[JennieP]

04:36 PM on 11/05/2008

No way on Corzine. Bad choice, and I'm a NJ Dem. This state is full of corruption and has been for years. We need a regulator.

[adv2int]

07:38 PM on 11/05/2008

thank you

i feel the same way, I too am a NJ Dem
he's done bad and good for NJ but in order for me to know the latter i would have to look it up
on google

[ClosetExtrovert]

03:13 PM on 11/06/2008

Yep- I agree. I don't dislike him, and he tried to help NJ, but all he could jam thru was a hike in the sales tax.

So who? I heard there's a few Bears Sterns guys on unemployment. Maybe one of them? They'd be good because everyone on Wall Street HATES Bear Sterns guys, and there would be this pheonix that's up from the fire to boss them around....Like they take direction well anyway...But I think Wall Strett should suffer. SUFFER!!!!!!!!

Yeah..a Bear Stern's guy.

[basta]

03:01 PM on 11/05/2008

Oh no, not another Goldman Sachs Wall Streeter.
Pick a guy who isn't there to stuff the pockets of these stock trading scum bags.

We need a hard line stock market regulator.

[TricksterG]

02:56 PM on 11/05/2008

I live in NJ.

Appointing the governor of our state, one of the highest taxed in the country (if not *the* highest tax) and trying to reach across the aisle would be ... awkward.

Wiith our incredible amount of debt, choosing Corzine would be silly.

Personally, I don't think Corzine should be made Treasury Secretary of an Obama Cabinet. I don't think Obama will choose him. After all, he *is* from Goldman Sachs - and we all know how much people love Goldman Sachs right now.

Warren Buffet anyone?