Topic: National Economic Council

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Robert Reich
Mitt Romney's skewed praise of Bill Clinton

Mitt Romney has been praising Bill Clinton even as he heaps scorn on Obama, trying to associate himself with someone more popular and court the white male vote. It might backfire.
What the 'Buffett rule' reveals about Obama tax reform plans

President Obama is pushing Tuesday for the so-called Buffett rule – a proposal to ensure that millionaires pay a higher rate on federal income taxes than the middle class. He and Democrats see it as a guarantee that the rich will pay more, even if Congress again extends the Bush tax cuts.
Study: Obamacare will raise deficit

The study, by a conservative economist, is due to be released Tuesday, and says that the deficit will increase by $340 billion due to the president's signature health care law.
Can American manufacturing really be cornerstone of economic revival?

For decades, the US manufacturing sector has shriveled, but President Obama now envisions it as an engine of a revived US economy. The basis of his optimism may be hopes for 'advanced' manufacturing.
Cities brace for bad news in Obama's next federal budget, top mayor says (+video)

The Obama administration is preparing its 2013 federal budget proposal and is letting some allies know how spending cuts will affect them. For Antonio Villaraigosa, president of the US Conference of Mayors, the news has not been good.
The Daily Reckoning
Goldman Sachs to Europe's rescue

Italy's new leader, Mario Monti, is an ex-Goldman Sachs executive. Who knows more about debt problems than anyone else? The people who cause them, of course.
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac regulator throws lifeline to underwater homeowners

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac: The overhaul, which would only help a fraction of the country's 11 million underwater borrowers, is the latest government effort to breathe life into the crippled US housing market.
Home Affordable Refinance Program: A lifeline to 'underwater' borrowers?

Home Affordable Refinance Program did not reach as many borrowers as officials had hoped. By including 'underwater' loans, the Obama administration hopes to stem the tide of foreclosures.
Chapter & Verse
Ron Suskind's critical book on Obama sparks controversy

Some sources now say that scathing remarks about Obama and his administration are "fiction [and] distortion."
Debt crisis: Senate cancels holiday leave, but will it accomplish anything?

Heeding a call from President Obama, the Senate cancels its July 4th break to deal with the looming debt crisis. But Democratic leaders are not planning any meetings with Republicans.
Tax VOX
Obama, where are your economists?

Politicians need a team of stellar economists for advice during campaign season, and Obama seems to have lost his
Chamber of Commerce: Obama 'maturing' as president (video)

US Chamber of Commerce President Thomas Donohue said he appreciates 'some of the things that the president has done to change his song.'
Cyberwar timeline

Tracing the history of cyberespionage and cyberwarfare from the invention of the Internet up to the reported Stuxnet attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities.
The Vote
Bruce Reed: Another Clinton centrist joins Obama White House

Bruce Reed will be Vice President Biden's new chief of staff. He was a senior aide to President Clinton and a leader in centrist Democratic policy circles. Does this bode ill for liberals' agenda?
Head of US Chamber of Commerce: 'cautiously optimistic' about recovery

Signs of warming relations between the White House and business community continued Tuesday as Thomas Donohue, president of the US Chamber of Commerce, applauded recent moves.
Obama's full-court press to make up with business community

Obama has named economist Gene Sperling as head of the National Economic Council. The president has made other moves to patch up relations with the business community.
William Daley: Obama signals shift to center with pick for chief of staff

Obama brings aboard William Daley, a moderate Democrat and fellow Chicagoan, as his new chief of staff. Daley, seen as a tough but fair manager, could help White House ties to the business community.
As Obama plans White House reshuffle, where are the new faces?

A major game of musical chairs appears to be in the works at the White House. But without an infusion of new blood, some wonder, will the reshuffle get Obama back on track?
The other recovery to watch: world trade

World trade suffered its worst slump since the Great Depression in 2008 and 2009.
Does Pentagon trust Tom Donilon, new national security adviser?

Defense Secretary Robert Gates says he works well with new National Security Adviser Tom Donilon. But reports suggest there has been friction between Donilon and the Pentagon in the past.
The Reformed Broker
Sand castle stimulus reclaimed by the tides

Stimulus programs only worked as long as the money poured in. When the tide of cash rolled back out, the sand castles had melted away.
John Boehner: Obama economic team should resign

John Boehner on Tuesday called for the resignation of President Barack Obama's embattled economic team, including Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and White House economic adviser Larry Summers.
Christina Romer says her White House departure long planned

Christina Romer cast disagreements among key players on the White House economic team as a healthy part of reaching tough policy decisions. Christina Romer said she is leaving solely for family reasons.
Peter Orszag to step down; White House Budget Director exiting in months

Peter Orszag is expected to leave in the coming months, although the exact timing is not known.
Obama aid package to help with home foreclosures

The $1.5 billion federal aid package will be distributed to housing agencies in California, Nevada, Florida, Michigan, and Arizona – the states hardest hit by the housing crisis – to help keep struggling homeowners in their houses.