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It’s been quite frustrating to watch Richard Cordray’s nomination to become the new director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau languish in the Senate. Republicans don’t question Cordray’s sterling qualifications, but have said they’ll stand united against any nominee until Democrats agree to weak the agency and make it easier for the financial industry to screw over consumers.
Yesterday, that united GOP front saw its first crack.
Senator Scott Brown today endorsed the nomination of Richard Cordray, the former Ohio attorney general, to lead the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau — whose chief architect, Elizabeth Warren, is challenging Brown in his reelection bid next fall. […]
“The senator supports the Cordray nomination and believes it deserves an up or down vote on the Senate floor,” said John Donnelly, Brown’s spokesman.
Brown’s announcement today doesn’t necessarily advance the nomination. The bloc of 44 Republican senators [who’ve vowed to block a vote] would be enough to sustain a filibuster against the confirmation, and it is unclear whether any other GOP senators could be swayed to drop their opposition.
Warren, Brown’s presumed Democratic challenger, was a key architect in drafting the authority of the bureau. Cordray helped Warren set up the agency earlier this year.
The larger context makes all the difference here.
Brown has been a key Wall Street ally in the Senate, forcing the chamber to weaken several provisions of last year’s reform package, and being rewarded with generous campaign contributions from the financial industry.
The Massachusetts Republican, in other words, doesn’t seem like the type to break party ranks and announce opposition to a Republican filibuster against the CFPB nominee.
So, what prompted yesterday’s move? It’s not complicated — Elizabeth Warren is making Brown very nervous.
As for the larger nomination fight, it’s worth keeping in mind that Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner recently told Senate Banking Committee, “If the Senate fails to confirm [Cordray], what will happen is it’ll leave a vast array of non-bank financial institutions … outside the scope of consumer protection, which was exactly the same mistake that left us so vulnerable to the financial crisis we went through.”
For Republicans, who’ve decided to take dictation from industry lobbyists, apparently that’s the idea.
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HBinBoston on November 15, 2011 10:07 AM:
Scott Brown won last January because his opponent, MA attorney general Martha Coakley ran an incumbent's campaign. So far, it looks like Brown is also running an incumbent's campaign. Big mistake.
Diane Rodriguez on November 15, 2011 10:16 AM:
He is so frightened of Elizabeth Warren tht he might start campaigning in the nude.
c u n d gulag on November 15, 2011 10:19 AM:
Well, this just proves the old adage:
"If you can't dazzle 'em with brilliance," and it's obvious this numbskull can't, "then you gotta baffle 'em with BS."
And B-S is, after all, Scotty Brown's initials backwards, so even this dope can remember that.
Seriously, though, I don't get this move.
Does he think he's going to pull in a few people who might have been leaning towards Warren?
Anyone have any thoughts?
Or is this like everything else with Scotty - there is no sign of intelligent life here?
beejeez on November 15, 2011 10:23 AM:
So, LIz -- you got any sisters who live in other states?
massappeal on November 15, 2011 10:29 AM:
@c u n d gulag (10:19 am) This is Scott Brown trying to land on the turf upon which Republicans must stand to get elected to statewide office in Massachusetts. Orthodox enough to motivate the Republican base, unorthodox enough to appeal to the suburban voters of Greater Boston who can swing an election (as they did when he got elected last year).
Whether the strategy will work is a different question, but it's about the only strategy that makes sense for his campaign.
bigtuna on November 15, 2011 10:30 AM:
c'mon. There is no way he did this without yertle's ok. Repubs. know they can keep 40+ in line, so they released Ditz Brwon to give him a little cover. This is a fig leaf so he can go to MA and claim "see, i am and independant repub - I didn't agree with everything. I even supported Obama's nominee Cordray - who is my opponent's ally. "
Everything - everything, has to be viewed thorugh the manipulative eyes of republican machinations. There is no way that Scott Brown's leash is loosened unless yertle approves.
chi res on November 15, 2011 10:33 AM:
Seriously, though, I don't get this move.
Simply removes one arrow from Warren's quiver.
c u n d gulag on November 15, 2011 10:34 AM:
Good points.
But I wonder what Bolshevik leader, Comrade Rush will say about this?
No, not me!
YOU listen to him.
My life sucks enough right now.
sick-n-effn-tired. on November 15, 2011 10:35 AM:
"Brown has been a key Wall Street ally"
Along with every other Republican, Blue dog, and assorted Dems who can be bought off, unless the actual constituents they are supposed to be representing threaten their livelihood.
They are all 1% ers and we know whose team they are on.
If the rich get richer , well so do every one of those capitol hill Multimillionaires.
No surprises here.
Anonymous on November 15, 2011 10:58 AM:
The League of Conservation Voters is putting heavy pressure on Brown as well. It seems like every other page I visit on the internet has one of their ads against him.
I've lived in Massachusetts for 33 years. Unfortunately, I'm moving to Arizona before the senate election. I'm sad I won't get to vote for Warren.
Perspecticus on November 15, 2011 10:58 AM:
First, although I cannot recall the instances, I am fairly certain I recall that Brown has rpreviously come out with spoken support of what would be considered the liberal position on a couple matters only to vote the party line. Unless I am misremembering my Brown history, that is something to take into consideration int heis instance.
Second, Brown has no need to worry about Elizabeth Warren. With almost no doubt, she will unseat him. So, he should save himself the grey hairs and finish his term in the best manner possible. Elizabeth Warren will be the perfect representative for the people of Massachusetts after too many dalliances with alleged moderate Republicans in the state (commonwealth) that puts the "liberal" in "liberal."
Anonymous on November 15, 2011 11:24 AM:
Second, Brown has no need to worry about Elizabeth Warren. With almost no doubt, she will unseat him. So, he should save himself the grey hairs and finish his term in the best manner possible...
Which, for Brown, means: line up a high paying post-Senate gig by doing the bidding of the highest bidder. All he has to do is auction off whatever influence he might have to the lobbyist with the deepest pockets.
Schtick on November 15, 2011 11:38 AM:
"Diane Rodriguez on November 15, 2011 10:16 AM:
He is so frightened of Elizabeth Warren tht he might start campaigning in the nude."
Doesn't he want ANY votes?