tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6926413038778731189.post141849720977819904..comments2023-10-16T07:13:12.123-05:00Comments on A plain blog about politics: How the Senate Deal is WorkingJonathan Bernsteinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15931039630306253241noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6926413038778731189.post-4472862630091041972013-07-31T15:33:17.639-05:002013-07-31T15:33:17.639-05:00Corker, by the way, has been very vocal in opposin...Corker, by the way, has been very vocal in opposing Rep. Mel Watt (D-NC 7) for FHFA Director. I think Watt will be successfully filibustered on the grounds that he is not a mortgage or housing expert, and that is what is needed to oversee Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. So the deal to avoid the nuclear option will likely result in most, but not all, executive branch appointments getting through. The difference about FHFA Director is that the Acting FHFA Director, Ed DeMarco, is a career civil servant with a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Maryland, who is a mortgage expert, and who is highly regarded by most mortgage market professionals.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6926413038778731189.post-9552785048787658952013-07-31T11:11:46.022-05:002013-07-31T11:11:46.022-05:00So the New Jersey guy isn't taking one for the...So the New Jersey guy isn't taking one for the team? He's never going to be running for office again, why not do the rest of his caucus a solid and save everyone from having to take those tough votes. Same for Chambliss and Johanns, who are retiring.Greghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16387816156204378075noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6926413038778731189.post-31977469544241022352013-07-31T09:34:54.144-05:002013-07-31T09:34:54.144-05:00Oops, my bad. Corker is from Tennessee. He's...Oops, my bad. Corker is from Tennessee. He's occasionally reasonable; my mistake.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6926413038778731189.post-83011601949881446032013-07-31T09:25:23.060-05:002013-07-31T09:25:23.060-05:00Sens. McCain, Collins, and Murkowski have reputati...Sens. McCain, Collins, and Murkowski have reputations for independence already, so this vote probably won't adversely affect them. None are facing the voters next year. Corker is from the Northeast; this could help him as well.<br /><br />Some of these people really need to start differentiating themselves from the Republican Party. Sens. Kirk, Porter and Ayotte are good examples. I think that blue state Republicans have an uphill climb in 2016.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com