Obama's Brain Trust

EJ Dionne on the PE's money guys [HT HH]

Like most conservatives, I'm relieved that the President-elect didn't appoint the presidents of various chapters of the American Communist Party (I'm kidding, potentially). Like most conservatives, I'm trying to put on a happy face about the incoming administration and breathing a sigh of relief with every appointment that could reasonably said to be pragmatic on the part of the President-elect. When it comes to money matters, the PE seems to recognize the need for people who know what they're doing. These appointments also suggest that he is coming to terms with the fact that he is not going to be able to raise taxes, at least for now.

I do not expect this administration to be nearly so "pragmatic" when it comes to judicial appointments, freedom for faith based organizations to act according to the mandates of their individual consciences, or stare decisis on partial birth abortion; in fact, I expect hell on earth. But at least when it comes to the economy, be it illumination, persuasion by others, or awareness of the ticking time bomb about to land in his lap, he is showing startlingly good judgement.

Plus, appointing a guy to your team who managed to get himself fired from Harvard is pretty cool.