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Obama's economic team has Mass. ties

Posted by Jason Tuohey November 24, 2008 02:17 PM

Barack Obama's economic team, which he formally announced today, is loaded with Massachusetts ties.

Melody C. Barnes, who will serve as director of the Domestic Policy Council, worked as chief counsel to Senator Edward M. Kennedy on the Senate Judiciary Committee from December 1995 to March 2003.

Obama's pick for deputy director of the council, Heather A. Higginbottom, is a former staffer for the state's other senator, John F. Kerry. Higginbottom worked as Kerry's legislative director from 1999 to 2007, and also served as deputy national policy director for Kerry's presidential campaign.

Harvard professor Lawrence Summers, who has already emerged as an influential economic adviser to Obama, will head up the National Economic Council.

Finally, Christina Romer, who Obama tapped as chairwoman of the Council of Economic Advisers, is an MIT graduate who nearly joined the faculty of Harvard this year. University President Drew Gilpin Faust vetoed Romer's appointment in May.

UPDATE: Senator Edward Kennedy issued a statement following the announcement of Barnes's appointment:

“I had the great privilege of working closely with Melody for many years as my chief counsel. She’s a rare talent with a unique combination of impressive intellect, broad knowledge of issues, strong values and warm personality that will serve President Obama well. She’s an excellent choice to coordinate domestic policy in the Obama White House.”

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So ? Will this help in having better job opportunities for residents of MA in the new govt.? !!!

Posted by out-insider November 24, 08 02:24 PM
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does this mean the commonwealth will be getting more economic help? i can not wait for the economic package to see,25-b?,50-b?,there a many unemployed in the commonwealth,the commonwealth should get 100-billion dollars,with all this new found political clout.

Posted by john q public November 24, 08 02:49 PM
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Aaaahhh. Experience and intelligence. How refreshing from horse trainers and friends who deserved favors from the current Admin! Maybe we can start to undo what has been so irresponsible set into motion by this administration. And it ends like his father's term did, with recession, wars, and a reputation that is embarrassing.

Posted by solsenz November 24, 08 04:01 PM
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Obama's plan has a sense of immense urgency. I think we are getting steamrolled into believing the only way is a massive stimulus plan. The same crisis atmosphere happened over the bank and financial bailout and to date, what good has this done? The proposed stimulus plan looks to be the Mother of all bailouts. It will be interesting to see where all the money goes. We have to remember, the politics of it all could result in massive pork barrel spending, and the encroachment of government regulation in all areas of the economy. The "change" Obama spoke about could be a planned economy and the diminishment of free enterprise.

Posted by Jeff in Orlandi November 24, 08 04:03 PM
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