The sort of people the Republicans hate

In today's column, Paul Krugman points out that the Republicans are deperately trying to attack Elizabeth Warren -- the president's Special Advisor on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. She is not only one of the most competent and reasonable people around, and an expert on financial reform, but also is one of the few people who foresaw and warned about the financial debacle which nearly destroyed out economy. Just the sort of person whose credentials the Republicans fear and hate. This is, of course, in keeping with their policy of being the lackeys of Big Business and Wall Street.

Another person that the PTR and its corporate masters hate is Donald Berwick, Administrator of Medicare and Medicaid Services. Every time I've heard him on the news, or read his statements, he has been quite accommodating to the Republicans -- for example calmly pointing out that, no, he didn't favor the British health care system, but that our system had to be tailored to our unique situation (with both private and public care providers). They hate him for this, and especially for the fact that his was a "recess" appointment. As Obama said, and Berwick's actions seem to indicate, he is one of the most qualified people for this position. As I said above: Just the sort of person whose credentials the Republicans fear and hate.

On the other hand, the kind of people the Republicans favor for administrative positions are ex-CEOs of large companies or lawyers for the same. Just check out the kind of folks Nixon, Reagan, and Bush appointed.