Kent Conrad Turns Down Cabinet Post In Obama Administration
Just got word that Senator Kent Conrad turned down a spot in the Obama administration. He was offered the head of the White House Office of Management and Budget.
Why would he do such a thing? I’m guessing because, even with a majority in the Senate, Democrats still need 60 votes to get anything done. If Conrad goes to work for Obama he’ll be replaced by an appointment from Republican Governor John Hoeven.
Now, while Hoeven isn’t much of a conservative, whoever he’d appoint would caucus with Republicans and give the Democrat caucus one less vote. Democrats can ill-afford that right now.
On a related note, I wonder why Obama would even offer a spot to the scandal-plagued (though you wouldn’t know it from reading ND media coverage) Kent Conrad? Conrad’s VIP loans granted by former Countrywide Mortgage CEO Angelo Mozilo are under investigation by federal authorities, and a witness in that investigation is claiming that Conrad - despite his public claims to the contrary - knew full well he was getting special treatment with those loans.
Obama already has troubles with his close associates (Jim Johnson, Franklin Raines, Jamie Gorelick, etc.) being mixed up in mortgage industry shenanigans. Why bring Conrad and his additional baggage on board too?
