Menzie Chinn, a former Senior Economist for International Finance on the President's Council of Economic Advisers serving President Clinton from 2000-2001, who blogs at Econbrowser adds his voice to those who believe the Bush administration listens less to professional advisors than past administrations. His criticisms sounds very similar to those made by Stephen J. Dunbar writing for Freakonomics and cited in my earlier posting, Economic Advisors and the Presidency. Menzie uses the appointment of General Eric Shinseki to lead the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as a springboard to write
While this is not an economics issue in and of itself, it does relate to economic policymaking. Many of the critics of Obama's choices for his economics team have centered on the fact that some of the choices were in the Clinton Administration, or have been associated with the centrist wing of the Democratic party, and hence could not represent "change" (e.g., [0]). But I think this all misses the point. The "change" we need is not so much ideological in nature, but the return to policy authority of people who have expertise, and are willing to look to past experience and (most importantly to me) analysis to make their judgments about how best to proceed -- in economics as well as in issues of war and peace. So I'm happy with the developments thus far (on my previous posts on Shinseki vs. Rumsfeld and the Iraq debacle...
Unlike Menzie, I have never advised a president, but I do know that there is little reason to conduct analysis if it will not affect prior belief.
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I don't see the problem with some of Obama's choices being from past presidential advisers. I say that because those advisers have had somewhat of an experience before and may know the "rights and wrongs" about certain things. This could eventually help us in the long run.
ReplyDeleteI agree with pantherfootball112, based on what I know and have researched about Obama's advisors, they all seem to have solid experience with success, especially those coming from the Clinton administration. I think the "Change" we can expect with Obama is that he actually has the intelligence and compassion to listen to his team and act in the best interest of the citizens. Obama represents the "New" America, which is diverse, forward thinking and intelligent, and his administration is representation of that diversity.
ReplyDeleteIf Obama thinks these people are the best for the job, more power to him.
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