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kpete

(71,898 posts)
Fri Jan 25, 2013, 01:54 PM Jan 2013

Obama likely to name Wal-Mart Foundation head as budget director

Source: The Hill

Obama likely to name Wal-Mart Foundation head as budget director
By Erik Wasson - 01/25/13 11:01 AM ET


President Obama is likely to announce soon that Sylvia Mathews Burwell will be his next budget director, sources said Friday.

Burwell is a veteran of the Clinton administration, where she served as deputy director of the Office of Management and Budget. She is a close associate of former Clinton Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin and outgoing White House Chief of Staff Jack Lew, who is Obama’s pick to be Treasury secretary.

Acting Budget Director Jeff Zients would either return to his previous role as the deputy OMB director overseeing the management of the government or assume a new role, should Burwell get the nod. His name has been mentioned as a possible replacement for U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk, who leaves next month. Zients took over the budget role after Lew left OMB to become chief of staff last year.

A key consideration in the Burwell pick might be her gender, given the number of white males Obama has tapped for Cabinet posts in recent week.






Read more: http://thehill.com/blogs/on-the-money/budget/279311-obama-likely-to-tap-burwell-to-be-budget-director

48 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Obama likely to name Wal-Mart Foundation head as budget director (Original Post) kpete Jan 2013 OP
Isn't Walmart owned by Republicans? goclark Jan 2013 #1
...or is it the other way around? TheCowsCameHome Jan 2013 #2
It is a publicly traded company Freddie Stubbs Jan 2013 #38
Come on! MynameisBlarney Jan 2013 #3
Cause Slick Willy says so! nt Plucketeer Jan 2013 #7
"Walton Family Foundation Grant Recipients Reconsider Donations After Newtown Shooting" Fire Walk With Me Jan 2013 #4
I will sit back and wait Angry Dragon Jan 2013 #5
WTF? SoapBox Jan 2013 #6
I love Obama (and Biden), voted for them, worked for them, cheer them on, and stick up for them, woodsprite Jan 2013 #8
No, you are not alone MynameisBlarney Jan 2013 #10
No You're not alone! He's supposed to fighting for us! our unions! Not giving this position to DogPawsBiscuitsNGrav Jan 2013 #12
He has always believed in bipartisanship in spite of the fact that the other side is totodeinhere Jan 2013 #16
Buy-partisan - nt dreamnightwind Jan 2013 #18
Ditto. It's some of his appointments that have made me really wonder. And Walmart?!?!?! gateley Jan 2013 #27
They are all bought and paid for by corporate America and Wall St. Hotler Jan 2013 #37
Now that's just WRONG Demeter Jan 2013 #9
Boooooo! ybbor Jan 2013 #11
^^^^ GeorgeGist Jan 2013 #13
Maybe he thought she was the best person for the job. WhoWoodaKnew Jan 2013 #14
Then we should have elected a smarter president. FiveGoodMen Jan 2013 #20
Ouch DJ13 Jan 2013 #22
I'm gettin slow. GeorgeGist Jan 2013 #15
he picks the most pro business people he can find.... madrchsod Jan 2013 #17
"and the republicans still hate him" FiveGoodMen Jan 2013 #21
Shudder. aquart Jan 2013 #19
So, is this wally world budget director going to use the same magic on the budget that he used Javaman Jan 2013 #23
"He"? Sylvia Mathews Burwell is a she.. from the Cha Jan 2013 #28
does it matter? he or she, wally world is full of crooks. nt Javaman Jan 2013 #31
Yes, it matters. Cha Jan 2013 #32
okay then. Javaman Jan 2013 #33
LOL Skittles Jan 2013 #24
LOL No it's not. Cha Jan 2013 #26
I knew.. mention "walmart" and the knee jerk reactions take over.. Cha Jan 2013 #25
But it's the association with Walmart that will get the headlines, Cha (as evidenced gateley Jan 2013 #29
I trust that Pres Obama Cha Jan 2013 #30
I always TRUST Obama, just at times I'm not sure if he's aware of the feelings/attitudes of many gateley Jan 2013 #34
I just don't think Pres Obama lives and works in a bubble. And, I actually Cha Jan 2013 #45
Great pic! gateley Jan 2013 #46
LOL, those "foundations" are tax-evasion schemes. Odin2005 Jan 2013 #43
Maybe Sylvia Mathews Burwell and Timothy Geithner can play golf on the White House lawn together. L0oniX Jan 2013 #35
Notice, she's with Walmart FOUNDATION--the charity! davsand Jan 2013 #36
yup WhoWoodaKnew Jan 2013 #41
We've already had four years of a former Walmart Board of Directors member as Secretary of State Freddie Stubbs Jan 2013 #39
Thanks for the reminder Freddie Stubbs Cha Jan 2013 #44
Filthy republicans liking this one Kingofalldems Jan 2013 #40
I can't stand Walmart. cheapdate Jan 2013 #42
Ahhhh... Is this the hope part or the change part? n/t Catherina Jan 2013 #47
Why is it ALWAYS someone from a corporation that gets these jobs? All government ChisolmTrailDem Jan 2013 #48
 

Fire Walk With Me

(38,893 posts)
4. "Walton Family Foundation Grant Recipients Reconsider Donations After Newtown Shooting"
Fri Jan 25, 2013, 02:01 PM
Jan 2013
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/22/walmart-charter-schools_n_2528602.html

A number of charter schools that rely on donations from a charity started by Walmart's founder are questioning whether they should continue accepting the funds in the wake of the Newtown shooting.

The Walton Family Foundation, established by Sam Walton, has given more money to charter schools than any other private donor, Businessweek reports. But some of those schools are reconsidering whether they should take money from a foundation made up of family members who own more than 48 percent of Walmart, which sells more guns than any other retailer in the U.S.

The New Media Middle School in Columbus, Ohio –- which has gotten $250,000 in gifts from the foundation -- is one such charter school that doesn’t know if accepting the funds is ethically responsible after a gunman took the lives of 20 students and six faculty members at Sandy Hook Elementary School last month.

“It’s a dilemma,” Principal Andrew Sweigard told Businessweek. “It’s a moral issue. Can we take funding from a company that is linked to a potential disaster in our school? Do we want to associate ourselves with guns?”

(More at the link.)

woodsprite

(11,853 posts)
8. I love Obama (and Biden), voted for them, worked for them, cheer them on, and stick up for them,
Fri Jan 25, 2013, 02:11 PM
Jan 2013

but it's times when he goes and does something like this that I just can't figure out if he's on our side or "riding that yellow line" down the center of the congressional aisle. He seems to be especially that way in his choice of appointments, and it's infuriating! Am I the only one who feels that way? It's the kind of thing that would have made my parents threaten to 'box' my ears.

Walmart!?! UGH!!!

 
12. No You're not alone! He's supposed to fighting for us! our unions! Not giving this position to
Fri Jan 25, 2013, 02:50 PM
Jan 2013

someone who promotes low wages and creates jobs that force us into the working poor category. This sure as hell isn't the platform he ran on and it sure as hell isn't what I voted for!

totodeinhere

(13,034 posts)
16. He has always believed in bipartisanship in spite of the fact that the other side is
Fri Jan 25, 2013, 02:58 PM
Jan 2013

anything but bipartisan.

gateley

(62,683 posts)
27. Ditto. It's some of his appointments that have made me really wonder. And Walmart?!?!?!
Fri Jan 25, 2013, 05:12 PM
Jan 2013

Of all the gin joints in the world --- WALMART??? I just don't get it.

Hotler

(11,353 posts)
37. They are all bought and paid for by corporate America and Wall St.
Fri Jan 25, 2013, 08:56 PM
Jan 2013

That is why no one from Wall St. has gone to jail. The only reason I voted for the president is because he was less of a tool than Rmoney. Nothing is going to change until we take to the streets by the tens of thousands and protest and shut this country down like they do in the mid-east and europe. it's time to get fighting mad people and take to the streets.

 

Demeter

(85,373 posts)
9. Now that's just WRONG
Fri Jan 25, 2013, 02:16 PM
Jan 2013

WRONG, WRONG, WRONG, WRONG, WRONG

Why not get a competent non-connected, career government type person who would have no conflict of interest?

madrchsod

(58,162 posts)
17. he picks the most pro business people he can find....
Fri Jan 25, 2013, 03:09 PM
Jan 2013

and the republicans still hate him. meanwhile we just shake our heads and say, is that all there is?

"keep dig'n a little deeper in the well,well ,well"

FiveGoodMen

(20,018 posts)
21. "and the republicans still hate him"
Fri Jan 25, 2013, 04:11 PM
Jan 2013

Or they pretend to in order to maintain the GoodCop/BadCop shtick that both parties are running against the citizens of this "democracy".

Javaman

(62,439 posts)
23. So, is this wally world budget director going to use the same magic on the budget that he used
Fri Jan 25, 2013, 04:53 PM
Jan 2013

in Mexico to get wally worlds built down there?

Cha

(295,899 posts)
25. I knew.. mention "walmart" and the knee jerk reactions take over..
Fri Jan 25, 2013, 05:09 PM
Jan 2013

I bet she'll be good at her job.

Since leaving government, Burwell has become a major force in philanthropy. She is the president of the Wal-Mart Foundation and previously worked at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Burwell hails from Hinton, W.Va. and was a Rhodes scholar at Harvard University. She worked at McKinsey & Co. as a management consultant before joining the Clinton administration.

A Senate GOP source said that Burwell’s confirmation hearing at the Budget Committee could be rough regardless of her qualifications, given criticism Budget Committee ranking member Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) had made


Thanks kpete

gateley

(62,683 posts)
29. But it's the association with Walmart that will get the headlines, Cha (as evidenced
Fri Jan 25, 2013, 05:16 PM
Jan 2013

by the OP). I just think it's unfortunate he's choosing someone who has an affiliation with a company that is renowned for its poor treatment of employees and vehemently anti-union. Surely there were others just as qualified who don't carry that particular taint.

Cha

(295,899 posts)
30. I trust that Pres Obama
Fri Jan 25, 2013, 05:20 PM
Jan 2013

knows what he's doing when and if he chooses her. In spite of her association with wal mart. I will not condemn her based on this evidence.

gateley

(62,683 posts)
34. I always TRUST Obama, just at times I'm not sure if he's aware of the feelings/attitudes of many
Fri Jan 25, 2013, 06:00 PM
Jan 2013

of the citizens.

Other than Walmart, this woman sounds stellar, but I can't help but wonder why she would associate herself with such a company that has such a poor rep when it comes to workers' rights.

Yes, the business model is phenomenal, but what about the people?

The owner of my company told me a story the other day. I'd assumed he probably was a Republican -- owns businesses across the country, etc. I rarely ever see him but he stopped by to say hi. Somehow we got onto politics (I wasn't too comfortable, but what the hell) and it turns out he's a Dem, always has been, LOVES Rachel -- and I noticed he was driving a Prius.

We got on to cars, and he told me that the business he's building in the South of town (from the ground up) he was getting bids from various contractors. One guy came driving up in a Hummer. He said "I'm sorry man, but I just can't hire somebody who drives a Hummer and has no concern for the environment and keeps shoveling money to Big Oil". The guy said "well I just drive it for work -- for the image." And my owner said "and that image tells me you're not concerned about anything other than yourself at the expense of hurting the environment and supporting an empire".

That's how I feel about this woman. Her choice to affiliate herself with Walmart makes me question her judgment.

Cha

(295,899 posts)
45. I just don't think Pres Obama lives and works in a bubble. And, I actually
Fri Jan 25, 2013, 10:49 PM
Jan 2013

think he knows more about who he wants for his Budget Director and is privy to more info on her than others who are complaining about it.

Hillary Clinton used to be on WalMart Board of Directors and she didn't turn out so bad.

Hope you don't mind.. I just saw this Pic from Inauguration and am dying to post it.


http://theobamadiary.com/

Interesting story about the Dem and the Prius(good on him) and the SUV guy..thanks, gately.

gateley

(62,683 posts)
46. Great pic!
Fri Jan 25, 2013, 11:00 PM
Jan 2013

You're probably right about him not being in a bubble -- but sometimes his choices just baffle me because of the "garbage" they bring with them. Perception is important -- look at those of us who are flying off the handle at this!

And you have an excelent point about Hillary. I'll stand down on the Walmart thing -- but I hate the idea that ANYBODY in Obama's sphere thinks Walmart is okay!


EDITED (twice) because I was mushing this woman together with the woman he's putting forth to head the SEC. I'd better slow down and pay closer attention.


Odin2005

(53,521 posts)
43. LOL, those "foundations" are tax-evasion schemes.
Fri Jan 25, 2013, 10:28 PM
Jan 2013

Only a little of the money goes to actually helping people, they are tax shelters and PR tools.

 

L0oniX

(31,493 posts)
35. Maybe Sylvia Mathews Burwell and Timothy Geithner can play golf on the White House lawn together.
Fri Jan 25, 2013, 07:20 PM
Jan 2013

davsand

(13,420 posts)
36. Notice, she's with Walmart FOUNDATION--the charity!
Fri Jan 25, 2013, 07:52 PM
Jan 2013
http://foundation.walmart.com/our-focus

Hate on Walmart corporation as much as you want--as a union person I'll be happy to lead the lynch mob--but the foundation does good stuff.

Take a look at this article if you want to learn a bit more:

http://www.fastcompany.com/3003605/how-walmart-foundation-innovates-corporate-giving-bigger-impact


Don't write her off.


Laura

cheapdate

(3,811 posts)
42. I can't stand Walmart.
Fri Jan 25, 2013, 09:50 PM
Jan 2013

Truly, I deplore what they've done to our country. But the Foundation isn't the corporation -- it's a charity -- and I'm not so blind as to oppose a charitable organization if they do good works. And I won't blindly condemn a person for serving with a charity -- even if I disagree with the source of it's donations.

 

ChisolmTrailDem

(9,463 posts)
48. Why is it ALWAYS someone from a corporation that gets these jobs? All government
Sat Jan 26, 2013, 02:42 AM
Jan 2013

appointments should be drawn from academia and not from capitalist enterprises.

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