Summers May Be Off Treasury Secretary Short List

Politico:

Intense backlash from women's groups may have pushed former Clinton Treasury Secretary Larry Summers off the short-list to lead Treasury for President-elect Barack Obama, according to widespread reports circulating in Democratic circles.

The women's opposition to a possible Summers' appointment was the explanation some Democratic sources are hearing for why the Obama transition team has crossed Summers off their list. The Obama team doesn't want to kick off its administration with a controversy nor go head-to-head with an important constituency when there are other qualified candidates, political operatives speculate.

Read the whole story: Politico

Comments

[FR]

(1) "Larry," as some call him so intimately, may be brilliant.
(2) "Larry" also misinterprets data. There is data suggesting that men and women reason differently. It emphatically does not suggest that women are not good at math and science.
(3) "Larry" does not help his institution. He was handsomely paid as President of Harvard, a university that has a dismal history in its treatment of women and "minorities." Yet he made his silly remarks and made Harvard look worse.

So, before you whine that the big bad nasty p.c. feminists sunk this gem, ask yourself whether you want the economic post to go to by someone who is possibly brilliant, but has no clear conception of his workplace, and misinterprets data.

[elcojonu]

What a shame if it's true;Larry is Brilliant and VERY respected and influential overseas.
I'd like to see Bob Rubin for a short stint until we can put him as head of the Fed.
The economic problems are very serious folks, we need the BEST and the BRIGHTEST.

[rzan1]

I credit Summers for my earning a degree in Math .... at the age of 55. I just knew he was full of it re women not being good in math and sciences.

[fem56]

Please make gender and race blind picks Obama! We need the best. Forget political correctness.

[canucklivinginUSA]

Same here. Don't cater to special interests groups demands

[FR]

Wow. Women are "special interest groups." Nice one, Neanderthals.

[Caliwoman]

Summers leadership of the World Bank was atrocious. He suggested storing toxic waste in third world countries becasue people there die earlier anyhow. He repeatedly initiated top down policies filtered through corrupt regimes that lined the pockets of first world contractors, corrupt third world governments, and never trickled down successfully to the people, despite their crappy econometrics that claimed growth. How do I know this? Because I am a Ph.D. in political economy who worked in international development at the time with top, well respected international aid NGO's and numerous, brave local development organizations and microdevelopment projects. Summers made things worse for the poor of the third world, men and women alike. What the heck is he supposed to offer an Americ in crisis? The guy blocked regulation of default swaps as Treasurer. How the heck is he qualified? The man is a dunce with arrogance and tricky econometricians in his pocket to rationalize a corrupt concentration of wealth and the empoverishment of farmers and workers worldwide. Obama can't be this naive! And I campaigned my butt off for Obama and gave more to his campaign than ever to any political campaign. If he appoints Summers I will literally cry. I could have given that $1500 to womens microlending projects and helped people. I assumed giving it to Obama would help the poor more right now. Not if Summers is at the head of Treasury. If Clinton takes Secretary of State, she better make poverty a state issue!

[Teri]

he insulted both women at harvard and black students and professors. that is why cornel west left and went to princeton. he is not friend of either group. i am glad that he is out of the running.

[Debzie]

I don't trust him. I'm glad he got the boot. After what he's said about women, his involvement with deregulation during the Clinton administration, and his thoughts on pollution--he sounds like he has terrible judgment. Geithner or Bair.

[karela]

If we don't have access to the best economist because of women shouting about political correctness in a time of deep ECONOMIC crisis, I, as a woman, am going to be royally ticked off---at activist women. What are they thinking of? Feeding my kids comes first. The advancement of the recognition and respect of women is very important, but it isn't more important than my kids having a home to sleep in, food to eat and schools to attend. No wonder so many women get disgusted with the women's movement. Have they heard of pragmatic needs? I don't want a woman in any cabinet position unless she's the most qualified person available for the job. The nation is in a time of crisis. You don't put a rookie in, because they deserve a chance, on the day that you're playing a close tie game on the last day of the championships. You play the pros! And we're in enough trouble right now that we'd better be playing the pros! If there is a woman who is more qualified than Summers, great, but I haven't heard about her. I work in the medical field and here's an arcane piece of information: Neurologists are often the biggest jerks in the hospital. But if you have to have your head opened up for a tumor, don't go to a gynecologist because he's nice or because she's female. Stick with the jerk with the skills.

[TopProf]

Your premise is incorrect. He is not the best. He is author and supporter of some of the economic policies that got us in this mess. Whenever I read or here the word political correctness I feel as if people want to keep their guns and keep their right to shout fire in a movie theater. Some things just don't have to be said. That aside, just because you're a woman doesn't necessarily mean you're right.

[Pupster]

The focus on this kind of identity politics is ridiculous. Pick the best person for the job.

That said, it's likely because of Summers' economic philosophy he is the wrong person for the job. The Daily Beast has an interesting article on his role in the California energy crisis and how his laissez-faire attitude made him side with Enron over the citizens and taxpayers of California. Very illuminating.

http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2008-11-12/larry-summers-and-enron/

[honeydiva]

why do they lie so. if he wants him he will be put in the position. who knows if the man really want the job. did these groups get hil as vp? nope.

[TopProf]

"these groups" you say. Is that kind of like McCain referring to Obama as "that one?"

[canucklivinginUSA]

The time for identity politics is over. I do not want to be pick because I am a black female but because I am good at what I do. Obama owes no one, and he has the right to make the right decision on who to hire, regardless of whether that person is male or female

[apoyo]

Aren't there any women economists who would qualify? Most women take care of their family checkbooks. This is an area that is prime for women to concentrate on in future. My own daughter was 2 years ahead in math requirements in high school but preferred to concentrate on a communications degree. Now she doesn't have to take any college math cause all her requirements were completed before she even set foot in university. I disagree with that, they should have to continue with math all four years.

[canucklivinginUSA]

If these women are qualified they would be considered. In fact , there is one that is on the list but not mentioned. I can't remember her name right now. I want the best not the one with tittays

[Countdown09]

We aren't in the position to be petty. If Summer's is the best guy for the job he should get the job. Whoever these women are need to shut the hell up, that comment was NO BIG DEAL.

[jmpurser]

I don't think I'm "overly sensitive" to women's issues in general. I have however over the last 8 years become rather sensitized to placing people with a history of saying incredibly stupid things into critical positions of power. Summers has said some incredibly stupid things and head of the treasury is a critical position of power just now.

Please Senator Obama, pass on this one.

[frappe]

There's no question that Summers is intelligent and extremely knowledgeable about banking, finance, and economics in general. In fact, I've heard it said by many that, objectively, he is the best qualified candidate for the job. But given the politics of his situation, if for whatever reason he isn't chosen, it shouldn't preclude him from taking an important (but low-profile) advisory role in the Obama administration.

[TopProf]

pirate capitalists calling other pirate capitalists the best --objectively!

[jeffp26]

Actually is will have been Summers arrogant sexist nonsense that pushed him off the chance to serve.

He is a lightweight thinker anyway, and we need real help, not academic bs.