Key Democrat warns White House on consumer post
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/09/14/art.dodd.file3.gi.jpg caption =" Sen. Chris Dodd said Tuesday the White House Tuesday should not bypass the Senate confirmation process for Elizabeth Warren."]Washington (CNN) - With administration officials acknowledging Harvard Law professor Elizabeth Warren is under consideration as either temporary or permanent head of the powerful consumer financial protection agency, the Democratic chair of the Senate Banking Committee said it would be a mistake for the White House to bypass the Senate confirmation process by naming her as interim chief.
"I'm not enthusiastic about that. I think it will be met with a lot of opposition," Sen. Chris Dodd told reporters in the Capitol Tuesday.
President Obama has publically praised Warren, but there are questions on Capitol Hill as to whether Democrats can get the 60 votes needed to confirm her, especially during the election season.
"It's a big job, it's an important job," Dodd said. "You've got to build the support for it institutionally. Or in the next Congress - none of us know what the outcome is going to be, politically - you could gut this before it even gets off the ground. If you don't have someone running it early on it jeopardizes the existence of the consumer protection bureau."
Asked how the next Congress might gut the position, Dodd responded, "Money, take away the money. That's how you always do it."
White House spokesman Bill Burton said Tuesday that Warren has been a stalwart and impressed the president with her skills but said it's too early to say if she'll be named to the post and if so whether it would be permanently – which means she would need Senate confirmation- or temporarily – which means she would not.
"She's obviously in the mix," Burton said. "But I don't have anything for you" regarding an announcement.
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President Obama will more than likely ram her through becuase he has proven to be much more tyrant a than president. Thank GOD for balance of powers. Thank GOD for November. ...Now, someone call me a racist.
Don't sweat it, Doddsy. Obama is a corporatist just like you. He'll nominate her so he can tell the left, "hey, I tried" and when the senate fails to confirm her, he'll nominate a Wall Street insider, probably ex-Goldman Sachs, who will then be confirmed. Real consumer protection is about as likely as real financial reform or real healthcare reform. And you teabaggers call obama a socialist. Hahaha. Idiots. If he had one progressive bone in his body, he'd have made a recess appointment just to tick off Boner and his country club pals. Have a nice day!
Whats wrong with you people?
The almighty Senate. They must get their ounce of flesh, before they allow an appointment, even for their own party.
So Chris Dodd who is partially responsible for the housing meltdown that led to the present state of the economy is going to warn Obama not to circumvent Congress when it comes to selecting a person to lead the newly created Consumer Financial Protection Agency.I guess he wants to be a player in Obama agenda to create a "socialist utopia" and doesn't want the chosen one to receive all the credit.
How come it seems that everything that comes out of harvard is stupid and has no common sense?
Dodd.... This is NOT going to effect one single vote. You have bent over and kissed Re-pub butt for 18 months and got nothing but "NO!" Go for it Obama. Show some dang guts.
Come on Senator, this has been done for 18 + months ... why change now!
of course dodd would say this, he's buddies with all the big banks! remember how he was at the forefront of the big wall street bailout? he wants warren to run through congress first so that he and his rich pals can slip her a few fifties to get their way! but hey, whatever. i'm still going to be working full time making minimum wage and barely getting by either way.
Another obama buddy I'm sure. If he selected her, then she can't be good for the country, haven't seen one of his selections in the last two years that was. Another czar or is it czarina. If a czar married a czarina, would their kids be czardines?
Chris,
For Pete's sake, knock off knocking our President, your Party's leader, the head of our nation's attempt to bring America's mojo back.
Why the heck is your type sniping away like this? If you don't want to run again, ok. If you don't feel you support every little thing the President wants-that's ok too, but in the end you all have to get along. The Republicans are making out and out fools of the Democrats who cannot stop their internal bickering over tiny, miniscule matters.
Knock it off!
HERE IS THE DIRTY LOW-DOWN ON TWO-FACED SCUMBAG DODD
President Obama should get a backbone and tell hypocrite Chris Dodd to got to h . . .
Dodd has gutted or attempt to water-down every consumer-protection bill that looks out for the interest of hardworking middle-class Americans.
Scumbag Dodd gutted the bill that stops credit-card companies from abusing Americans and gaming the system. All the while he was helping line the pockets of unscrupulous fat-cat CEO bankers and Wall Street thieves.
He's just worried his financial industry friends will not approve and stop giving money to him.
Send Warren's name up and if it isn't acted on by the end of the year, do the recess appointment and she can spend the year getting things set up on a strong footing. If Congress can't get things done in a timely way we can't let the government sit idle. Get the rules in place so business and consumers don't have that uncertainty they're all worried about.
Oh be quiet and go retire already. Let the President do his thing and quit meddling.
Since when is over 50% not a majority? Oh yeah, since Senate Republicans started breaking historical records abusing the filibuster.
Elizabeth Warren is an excellent, well-qualified choice for our consumer protection. She should be confirmed as soon as possible for the country.
Yep, we'll be sure to also dismantle this new 20-legged government leviathan after regaining control of congress in January.
Barack Obama will be able to watch his legacy being dismantled by the day. Enjoy your last 24 months as a lame duck, Barry, or whatever name you're using this week.
My father always said "Those who can not do teach" so I expect Harvard Law professor Elizabeth Warren to be a failure with no real world experience just like her boss. On the other hand can Dodd just go awaynow, he caused enough damage to our country already.
Wow, he appointed another university professor with ZERO, count 'em, ZERO years of experience in the private sector!
Good Show, Comrade!
That will show those filthy capitalist dogs, eh?!
All Hail the Messiah, Obama, Obama!
Dodd is wrong. IF the Republics are upset with a recess appointment, so what.
Obama could nominate Jesus and the Republics would filibuster.
Appoint her because he dosn't like her. There is some fear she will call them out!!!! Appoint her!!!!
Why do Conservatives hate? Does she wear a flag lapel ?