Obama brings on Clinton policy director

Posted: Friday, June 27, 2008 3:04 PM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
The unity continues... Obama has incorporated former Clinton policy director Neera Tanden into the campaign. Tanden "will help coordinate the domestic policy process under Heather Higginbottom, the campaign's Policy Director," according to an Obama campaign release.

VIDEO: Joining Hillary Clinton at a rally in Unity, N.H., Barack Obama says, "I've admired her as a leader; I've learned from her as a candidate. She rocks." Watch his entire speech.

Also joining the campaign is Melody Barnes, who currently serves as the executive vice president at the progressive group, Center for American Progress. Barnes will have the title of Senior Domestic Policy Advisor.

"Barnes also served as Chief Counsel to Sen. Edward M. Kennedy on the Senate Judiciary Committee," the campaign notes in its release. "In that role, she helped to fight for civil rights, women’s health and reproductive rights, shape commercial law and religious liberties laws, and review executive branch and judicial appointments."

*** UPDATE *** From a March memo penned by Tanden on Obama's economic plan: "The contrast could not be clearer -- on Monday, Senator Clinton announced a detailed, specific plan to address the housing and credit crisis. On Tuesday, Senator McCain announced that he had no plan. And today, Senator Obama offered just words.” Added at the bottom of the memo, research on how much money Obama has taken from various finance groups.

And, of course, there was health care: “By choosing to forgo a mandate, it’s not universal,” said Neera Tanden, Clinton’s policy director. “It will leave 15 million Americans uninsured. Even with a generous subsidy, millions of Americans will not get health insurance.”

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Comments

Meet the new boss!

Same as the old boss!

We Won't Get Fooled Again! (Sent Friday, June 27, 2008 3:09 PM)

I can't complain about women being visible in the campaign. I think it is important, as we move forward.

It would be interesting for FR to find out how many high-profile women are involved in the McCain campaign and do a comparison...

Aside from the political theatre, I think the 'behind the scenes' people are far more interesting.

_________________
http://ilfamilypolitics.blogspot.com

Midwest Mom, Illiana (Sent Friday, June 27, 2008 3:12 PM)

Glad to see that the Obama camp is cherry picking the best of the Clinton camp. From the bio in the article Ms. Barnes seems like a gem of a pick.

Ira, Freehold, NJ (Sent Friday, June 27, 2008 3:12 PM)

This is just the beginning...we will be united and we the Democrats are on our way back to the WH!

Michelle Zee (Sent Friday, June 27, 2008 3:18 PM)

Ya gotta hand it to him... He's smart enough to know his own limitations and surround himself with knowledgeable people, regardless of which Dem they supported to begin with.

Do you think this will make any difference to the "Villagers"? I doubt it. Hope they can recover soon enough to feel good about what's happening here... I'd hate to leave them behind at this moment in History!

What a country!! (imo T. Russert)

Marc in AnyTownUSA (Sent Friday, June 27, 2008 3:18 PM)

Barnes sounds wonderful.

I appreciate Hillary looking out for her staff. She does'nt seem to want them out there twisting in the wind among the unemployed.

Good for Obama in letting bygones be bygones, and hiring Hillary's talented people, who have long paid their dues.

donna (Sent Friday, June 27, 2008 3:19 PM)

Once Melody Barnes, uses her outreach skills to civil rights, women’s health and reproductive rights, shape commercial law and religious liberties laws, and review executive branch and judicial appointments the Muslim lie can be debunked.

The embittered factions can be sought out by Melody Barnes too.
Sounds good.

GO Obama

Beverly in Chicago (Sent Friday, June 27, 2008 3:20 PM)

Wow that is so interesting!

Drill Baby Drill (Sent Friday, June 27, 2008 3:20 PM)

I won't believe the Democrats are united until Hillary gives Barack a big wet one. And Michelle has to be right there when it happens.

Kissing Bandit (Sent Friday, June 27, 2008 3:22 PM)

Hillary and Barack used the same bathroom today too. That's another sign from above they are united!

Gil Jeng, Hodges, WV (Sent Friday, June 27, 2008 3:24 PM)

Kissing Bandit writes: "I won't believe the Democrats are united until Hillary gives Barack a big wet one."

KB, just to clarify, you're talking about a kiss, right?

Question Asked (Sent Friday, June 27, 2008 3:30 PM)

The problem with Hillary Clinton is that she didn't teach her monied supporters how to act like grown ups. They are still pouting and fuming. THIS is where women take a hit. They can't play the game with the same dignity and readiness to be a good loser as has been done in the past. But then again, Bill-o is about as emotionally mature as Hillary's supporters. Maybe it's a baby boomer thing. "I won't grow up."

Debra, Austin, Tx (Sent Friday, June 27, 2008 3:30 PM)

The "We're United!" dog and pony show continues!

You just know both Hillary and Barack gag up their lunch when they get behind the scenes.

G. Thomas Jones, Joplin, MO (Sent Friday, June 27, 2008 3:33 PM)

Hey donna,

Glad all is well! Hope you had a great family reunion.
Again, we missed your insight, so we're glad you're back!

Diane from Illinois (Sent Friday, June 27, 2008 3:34 PM)

You got to love healing. The world needs it, and I don't care who you are or who you support, the world needs some healing.

Chad, Salt Lake City Utah (Sent Friday, June 27, 2008 3:34 PM)

Kissing bandit, what do you think happened at Senator Feinstein's apartment? Okay, I'm just kidding.

Again, dude proves that he's comfortable enough to lead by bringing in smart people to help him.

Roofin Reality, Houston, Tx. (Sent Friday, June 27, 2008 3:35 PM)

Kissing Bandit, and Gil,

I feel for your losers. We're on the winning team, and you're not. Hee hee hee!

Obama '08 (Sent Friday, June 27, 2008 3:35 PM)

Silly Hillary. Women can't be President! What was she thinking?

Next they'll want to drive.

Peter G., CT (Sent Friday, June 27, 2008 3:37 PM)

Based on the update just posted....seems like the Obama camp needs someone who is good on research...when the campaign goes negative.

Is this change?

Ira, Freehold, NJ (Sent Friday, June 27, 2008 3:38 PM)

It's good they shipped Bill out of town for this one. One gets the feeling he's not coming back until Christmas. The man would have popped a gasket if he had to be around the Obamas.

Land'o Lakes (Sent Friday, June 27, 2008 3:39 PM)

Peter G, nice attempt at pissing off women. Not going to work anymore. You don't believe that and if you do, you're a neanderthal and represent only 1% of American men.

Stuff It Bro (Sent Friday, June 27, 2008 3:43 PM)

Both of these women will be answering to a LOYAL member of the Obama Campaign. Neither of them have been, nor should they be,allowed free reign on ANYTHING!

Much has been spoken by these two women this campaign season...one ought to always be quick to forgive...but forgetting is a sign of poor judgement.

F.Y. and in the EYE!

Jason, Rochester Hills,MI (Sent Friday, June 27, 2008 3:44 PM)

After Obama gets done hiring all the Clinton staff, maybe one of the debates could be between the Obama and Clintons staffers. Get your conflict resolution skills ready for that one.

Not only did Hill and Barack argue, now we'll treated to the staffers arguing.

Boobie Dee Donna (Sent Friday, June 27, 2008 3:45 PM)

A fool with a tool is still a fool... No matter who he brings to his team, he will still lose.

Just Me (Sent Friday, June 27, 2008 3:46 PM)

Alan in NJ, in your last post, you mentioned that you will vote for experience. Fair enough. That's a good basis. However, I ask you this. Are you voting for experience based on a pre-defined number of years on the planet or experience that actually makes one smarter and more informed? You're going to cast your vote for a guy who FIVE YEARS after the invasion of Iraq DIDN"T KNOW the difference between the Sunnis and the Shiaas. It happened 4 times over 3 weeks so it wasn't an accident. That's like somebody coming to you, saying they're an expert on New York and New Jersey and then insisting that the Knicks are a New Jersey basketball team. Vote for that if you want, but don't call it experience.

Scott (Sent Friday, June 27, 2008 3:47 PM)

Look - we're all grown ups here...or should be. The fact is that this is like the only child in a divorced family - both say the child is the most important thing in their lives, but only compromise will actually leave that child feeling like s/he is. This is America, folks. You can bitch and moan all you want about who 'won' the primaries - but it was exactly that - primaries. Now we are on to the big one - wresting the presidency from the GOP which we KNOW cheats and lies and scaremongers and buys its way into the White House, eve if that includes the Supreme Court. Are you nuts? Get over your little selves, this country is at stake.
As for the Move-On Baby ad - I know this has nothing to do with this but... - a baby born at the onset of the Iraqi war, is now 6, in 12 more years eligible for any sort of draft should we remain in Iraq just 20 more years. As someone who actually went through the Viet Nam war mothers then were afraid for the same thing, and it nearly came to pass.

Kay P, Tempe AZ (Sent Friday, June 27, 2008 3:52 PM)

I was wondering when Hillary would join Barack. But what does America think about her being Vice President? Find out at http://www.votenic.com

George, Chicago, IL (Sent Friday, June 27, 2008 3:56 PM)

What is that saying, keep your friends close and your enemies closer.

Debbie,Ewing,NJ (Sent Friday, June 27, 2008 3:59 PM)

John McCain. Get ready to be beaten like a rented mule. All the different groups of people you and bush paid no attention to and mistreated like dogs are now going to unite and have their way. Revenge is a dish best served cold.

Pacheck, Huntington Beach, Ca. (Sent Friday, June 27, 2008 4:03 PM)

CNN just posted this article that says McCain called Carter a "lousy president". Pretty strong words there, John-boy, especially since you support the view of the current prez who has a lower approval rating than Carter ever had.

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/06/27/mccain-calls-carter-a-lousy-president/#comments

P, CA (Sent Friday, June 27, 2008 4:17 PM)

The Unity Event did nothing to change my mind. I will vote for Mccain because I love the USA.

Obama is too risky by half.

NO OBAMA......NO OBAMA........NO OBAMA.........NO OBAMA (Sent Friday, June 27, 2008 4:24 PM)

Hillary is the only one for VP, she earned it, and he needs her.

Obama/Clinton 08

William, Dallas, Texas (Sent Friday, June 27, 2008 4:26 PM)

The Unity Event did nothing to change my mind. I will vote for Mccain because I love the USA.

Obama is too risky by half.

NO OBAMA......NO OBAMA........NO OBAMA.........NO OBAMA (Sent Friday, June 27, 2008 4:29 PM)

Like I've said all along, Clinton is the better choice
Obama panders and is weak on real policy issues.
Not a big fan of McCain, but will vote for him
over Obama and will wait another 4 years for
Clintons return.
Obama is a speech maker, he himself said at one
point that sometimes he gives a "pretty good one:
That's not leadership, that's not whom I trust.
Sorry Hillary can not do as you have asked...can
not-will not vote Obama.
Hope he loses big, then the DNC will throw him under the bus as they did you---but at least we will be rid
of him---let Chicago welcome back home thier favorite
son---we don't want him

Kathy (Sent Friday, June 27, 2008 4:30 PM)

The automobile plant tour in Ohio did noting to change my mind. I will vote for Obama because I love the USA and the strong pillars of leadership required to sutain its strength.

McCain is too risky by a whole.

No McCain No McCain No McCain No Mcain (Sent Friday, June 27, 2008 4:30 PM)

Stuff It Bro - First and foremost, I'm not your Bro. Second, I never thought women would "fall" for the statement, but apparently you believe they are that stupid enough to do so.

Peter G., CT (Sent Friday, June 27, 2008 4:33 PM)

I wish I could buy into what Obama has said in Unity. Everything I have learned about him has made me think otherwise. I just don't trust Obama. I think he offers change (to what we don't know) that we cannot trust nor believe in. Obama is just not ready to be president and I feel the whole world is laughing at us for putting up such a man for such an important office.

This Hillocrat will vote McCain because he offers change we can believe in and live with.
NO OBAMA, NOT NOW, NOT EVER. (Sent Friday, June 27, 2008 2:08 PM
******************************************************
See thats the problem right there. "I THINK he offers change". "I FEEL LIKE the whole world is laughing at us.
How about instead of hunches and feelings and guessing you actually inform yourself. Watch BBC news or another world news source. The entire world is looking at us to see if we truly are the progressive, problem solving democracy that we tout ourselves to be. There are millions of people in every foriegn country watching closely to see if we elect a man they overwhelmingly support or if we go for a continuation of bullying and failed policy.
Listen, go ahead and vote for whoever the hell you want but I don't understand why people come on here and say the same stupid things over and over without any facts to back them up. You don't seem to even read the posts. You just mindlessly type your opinion and post it.
Your wording says it all.

Mark,Seattle (Sent Friday, June 27, 2008 4:51 PM)

Who's bright idea was it to match Barack's tie to Hillary's pant suit? Fashion faux pas. Letterman's going to have a field day with that. I bet Michelle was not consulted. Go Obama!

Penny in Windsor (Sent Friday, June 27, 2008 5:02 PM)

McCain is too risky and a tad too frisky. You'll see.

Mark Thieme (Sent Friday, June 27, 2008 5:02 PM)

This whole thing makes me feel sick, Obama had to buckle to every thing to look at the big picture. Now if the MEDIA WOULD JUST LET GO!!!!

Jean Los Angeles (Sent Friday, June 27, 2008 5:06 PM)

Pacheck:

You must have a lot of bumper stickers on your car. Or is it your computer?

Computer rage. Yeah, that must explain it.

Richard, Washington State (Sent Friday, June 27, 2008 5:07 PM)

NOBAMA - Unity event wasnt ment for you since you wouldnt have voted for him in the first place. So, to be perfectly blunt, your opinion on the matter doesnt mean jack.

Just Me - Are you a betting person? ;)

DV, CA (Sent Friday, June 27, 2008 5:15 PM)

WOW!! I think it great he hired her, and she's pretty too! I sure do hope she helps make the little republican piggys all scream.....and then helps Obama laugh all the way to the White House.

How ya'll doin' in Unity???? Looking Good, Feelin' Fine!!!!

:)

JoeBama08! (Sent Friday, June 27, 2008 5:17 PM)

Kathy -

Problem with bitterness is that is clouds common sense...of which you are a perfect example. Leadership is knowing yourself and gathering people to you to bolster those weaknesses. Hillary was not capable of this. She has to micromanage everything. She used friends and cronies and political contributors as staff and it bit her in the ass. Sound familiar? Maybe the name Bush rings a bell. If you want to vote for McCain, the I suggest you declare that you agree with his policies wholeheartedly and register as a Repub. Otherwise you are as you are seen here...a bitter hypocrit that really cant see past her own nose.

DV, CA (Sent Friday, June 27, 2008 5:22 PM)

John McSame just told the people in Ohio how he constructed the G.I. Bill. This is the Webb bill that he has opposed from the start. He feels it is too "generous" to the soldiers. Either he is senile, stupid, or just too old to think. Perhaps it is all three mixed with that horrible temper of his

Flander Anapolis Scranton, PA (Sent Friday, June 27, 2008 5:26 PM)

Pacheck:

Who, or what, are YOU going to have your way with?

Richard, Washington State (Sent Friday, June 27, 2008 5:35 PM)

The Unity Event did nothing to change my mind. I will vote for Mccain because I love the USA.

Obama is too risky by half.
NO OBAMA......NO OBAMA........NO OBAMA.........NO OBAMA (Sent Friday, June 27, 2008 4:29 PM)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

hahahahah

Seems to me that the one that is risky is McBush, the man that plans to keep all of GWB failed policy, the man that doesn't know the difference between Shiite and Sunni, the man that is promising to send us into World War III and reinstate the draft.

Seems to me like the risk is John McBush.

obama 08 (Sent Friday, June 27, 2008 5:39 PM)

McCain does not have any experience, but is relying on America's sympathy as a hero. A smart country knows when to quit a foolish war. A dumb president and presidential candidate will say, I will never quit or we will never quit my friend, when our America is failing on all fronts. Myself, I'm looking forward to voting for a healthy, prosperous, working America. Not an America stuck in the quagmire of Iraq. Go Obama, Go Democrates!!!

janet (Sent Friday, June 27, 2008 5:55 PM)

Kathy--and while you wait we will still be in Iraq and the Supreme Court will take all your rights away and the economy might be in a depression. Good job Kathy--vote against your interest because your bitter that is always a good choice.

David, Boulder Creek, CA (Sent Friday, June 27, 2008 6:24 PM)

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