Obama picks Duncan for Sec. of Education (Chicago, Washington: appointed, employment)

[ajolotl]

Not a huge surprise but still interesting. I remember Duncan as an unbelievably basketball player in the early 80s in Hyde Park. We used to call him "machine", could routinely drain 45 out of 50 three-pointers in warmups without breaking a sweat. Back to the main point -- are people sad to see him go as CEO of CSP?

[seastar311]

I think he's done a good job, considering the size of the problems. I sure hope Barack leaves somebody competent in Illinois!

[Avengerfire]

Horrible choice.

[chet everett]

A _J_O_K_E_ !

WORST Cabinet level appointment BAR NONE. An EMBARRASSINGLY thin resume!!! Arne Duncan - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

While the Dunc Machine is probably not a bad person, he is WAY out of his depth. If this is actually a sign that Obama has NO PLANS for formulating ANYTHING of scale for the Dept. of Education. That is HUGELY DISAPPOINTING for anyone who had any hope at all of using educational policy to help spur employment related issues in the grand scheme of failing American competitiveness.

If Obama wanted someone with Chicago experience the choice should have been Vallas. Even Vallas has a pretty limited resume. Look for a whole bloated tier of do-nothing Ivory Tower types to quickly make the Dept. of Ed even more irrelevant than it has been under Bush. This past weekend Governors like Michicigan's Granholm was talking up her efforts to use Community Colleges to increase the employable skills of that state's workforce. Really obvious that should be done...

Duncan has been a complete lap dog to the corrupt and incompetant CPS Union. Don't look for anything innovative nationally with that record!

The whole Hyde Park / Chicago investment community angle is NOT what Obama needs to draw attention to with the Blagoniator pulling Rahmbo into the muck.

I could NOT be more disappointed.

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by chet everett

...If Obama wanted someone with Chicago experience the choice should have been Vallas...

But you will see Vallas running for Governor again when the next election comes up. Mark my words.

[Lookout Kid]

Maybe Vallas already said no...

I'm not crazy about this choice, nor am I particularly happy about Hillary as Secretary of State. But B.O.'s choices for HUD, Interior, and Energy are absolutely wonderful. I'm excited about the possibilities! Imagine that, competence in Washington! What a concept after the cronied up corrupt Bush years.

[supernerdgirl]

Originally Posted by Lookout Kid

Maybe Vallas already said no...

I'm not crazy about this choice, nor am I particularly happy about Hillary as Secretary of State. But B.O.'s choices for HUD, Interior, and Energy are absolutely wonderful. I'm excited about the possibilities! Imagine that, competence in Washington! What a concept after the cronied up corrupt Bush years.

i'm curious to see who goes in the transportation position. i certainly hope it's as forward-looking as the energy crew.

[aragx6]

Originally Posted by Lookout Kid

But B.O.'s choices for HUD, Interior, and Energy are absolutely wonderful.

I am personally thrilled about Obama's choice for DOE: Gesundheit.. oh er... sorry I meant Chu.

But seriously -- a real scientist as secretary of Energy? What a novel concept!

[Lookout Kid]

Originally Posted by aragx6

I am personally thrilled about Obama's choice for DOE: Gesundheit.. oh er... sorry I meant Chu.

But seriously -- a real scientist as secretary of Energy? What a novel concept!

I know, right?!? The Bushies just gave it to oil industry insiders!

[ajolotl]

I agree about Chu. I'm in the alternative energy world and have met him a few times. He won't be afraid to cancel programs and will demand high quality work and accountability. A very impressive guy. He'll need some political cover but on the technical end it will be hard to argue against a nobel prize winner backed by endless extremely consistent data.