Tall Paul
Very interesting party this evening — an even split between traditional NYC Democrats, and former Reagan/Bush/Nixon aides and advisors. Lots of GOP members, and a few Obama advisors.
I spent a good portion of the evening chatting with Richard Whalen, a longstanding Washingon D.C. insider, and a fascinating character to boot.
The highlight of the evening: I met, and got to speak with, former FOMC Chairman, and current Obama economic advisor, Paul Volcker. (Paul Volcker!)
Even better, I got to tell him my favorite Bush joke (actually, a quote from Allan Mendelowitz):
“The Bush administration, which took office as social conservatives, is now leaving as conservative socialists.”
It really cracked him up!
Tall Paul. How frickin’ cool is that . . . ?
November 4th, 2008 at 10:39 pm
So, you gonna be on the SEC or in Treasury?
November 4th, 2008 at 11:09 pm
Based on Bush standards, this would qualify Barry for a cabinet position.
Congratulations Mr. Obama…first half African American president.
One national nightmare is over…as for the economy????
My long standing prediction is that when the Dems won, the PPT would pull it. Should start momentarily in the futures.
November 4th, 2008 at 11:10 pm
OMG…no more Tina Fey as Palin…can I change my vote?
November 4th, 2008 at 11:19 pm
We will have a better idea of the true course of the Obama administration as he makes cabinet selections over the next two months. Pay close attention.
As a counterbalance, Pelosi and Reid will continue to be Pelosi and Reid.
November 4th, 2008 at 11:27 pm
I have to say McCain’s concession speech was one of the most gracious I have ever heard.
November 4th, 2008 at 11:41 pm
Steve Barry:
Big night again in Asia. Is the PPT even needed at the moment?
November 4th, 2008 at 11:50 pm
Barry, did he tell ya to get ready to join the team?
November 4th, 2008 at 11:51 pm
Mike,
yes…PPT is very much needed…also needed for bulls is Bush spin on job numbers Friday, which will obviously not be forthcoming now.
November 5th, 2008 at 12:09 am
Obama: “Worst financial crisis in a century”
Was that inadvertent, or did he mean to say this is worse than the Great Depression of 1929-1933?
November 5th, 2008 at 12:24 am
EMOTIONAL evening. Tonight for the first time in my living history, I’m proud to be an American. (I can’t believe we pulled it off as I had completely lost faith.)
November 5th, 2008 at 12:32 am
Karen,
Last time I felt like you do, Jimmy Carter was elected. Hope this turns out better than that did.
November 5th, 2008 at 12:38 am
With a smooth talking former Harvard Lawyer and Civic Organizer, Nancy Pelosi, and Mr. Frank calling the shots I am not only buying but buying on margin tommorow. On a side note I am glad to see Mr. Obama thinks the economy is in worse condition than the great depression as he noted in his speech. I bet the folk in Grant Park will be salivating at 9:30AM tommorow to hit the ask with their 6,7, and 8 figure accounts.
November 5th, 2008 at 12:41 am
“I bet the folk in Grant Park will be salivating at 9:30AM tommorow to hit the ask with their 6,7, and 8 figure accounts.”
Oprah’s got them all covered.
November 5th, 2008 at 12:49 am
Steve, it’s hOpe, not hope.
November 5th, 2008 at 12:58 am
PS. Barry, your evening must have been fascinating! What an opportunity!
November 5th, 2008 at 1:02 am
Karen – Agree, very emotional night. Whatever you believe politically, culturally we crossed a bridge tonight. We have a leader now, whether you voted for them or not let’s hope they’re a strong leader who makes the right decisions.
Not saying I believe in socialism, but I grew up with it (UK), we still bought tvs, we still had cars, we still went on vacation, we could still afford essentials and we still had savings – it really wasn’t the end of the world. People still even made money with smart investments, imagine that.
November 5th, 2008 at 1:18 am
I was watching the local election results instead of CNBC. Did Kudlow cry?
November 5th, 2008 at 1:31 am
Nice going Barry. I think you have depth for the job in either department.
Its going to be a messy job for Barack. In my 50 years, the time I’ve never felt worse than now was the summer entering high school, and ROTC was a required class because of Vietnam. I lucked out of that one. It ended.
These are dangerous times due to energy needs and the avenge of 9/11*. The Bush Admin has shown the world a way of doing things, that has taken hold world over. *… I’ll forego that other believed aspect.
May God watch over America and the World … please.
November 5th, 2008 at 1:33 am
That is pretty damn cool. Paul Volcker? Damn.
November 5th, 2008 at 1:55 am
Like I said months ago (in fact, I predicted he would be prez last year), turnout was going to be historic for a landslide victory. Say what you want about O but he had/has his finger on the pulse of the country’s mood. Caught a big wave of luck and timing as well but he understood the country’s mood better than any of the candidates, by far.
So what’s the over/Under on Sir Goldilocks blaming O’s election on the market tanking? I’ll set it at 2.5 days and I’m taking the “Under”.
November 5th, 2008 at 2:09 am
Finally it seems after a long awaited battle our prayers have been answered. I had been supporting Obama right from the start and hopefully he can uplift our image in front of the world. Anyone watching the elections would have known that the odds were in favor of Obama, it was a just the concern of the Bush administration pulling out something that would ensure a Republican victory but i’m more than glad that this historic event took place. Best wishes to him from Stock Disposal ! Celebration bash at night here I come!
November 5th, 2008 at 3:21 am
Awsome! Paul Volker is the man! Timing is perfect as Paul will be a major influencer on Barack.
After tonight’s historic election, it is good to see that the right people are connecting to the new administration.
Can we rehab K Street into much needed housing in D.C. ?
November 5th, 2008 at 5:12 am
I like ‘fedwatcher’’s take. Meeting Volcker, no matter how this turns out, has to be a good thing. At the very minimum, he’ll always be, kindly, remembered for saving the U$D during ‘79-’81, and setting the stage for the massive end-Century Bull in financial assets.
Past that, I sincerely hope that Fortune is kind to Obama, We, all, have only one CINC, and, with that, no matter the field we find ourselves in, as long as we’re here, we owe him some semblance of respect on that score alone.
Anything I can do to help, let me know.
November 5th, 2008 at 6:00 am
On cue, futures lower…do not listen to anyone blaming the market tanking on Obama being elected (Kudlow will of course)…the PPT and the Bush data spin team are going to turn off the machines immediately…anyone who has been awake the last 8 years and has read this blog should know this. Expect the worst job figure maybe ever on Friday.
November 5th, 2008 at 6:18 am
SB,
don’t you know it, the ramp, up, from ~7900, gave McCain 1/2 a chance, now, while the Obamians are celebrating, all stops are going to be pulled..
and, as an aside, no, this post is not contra to mine @ 05:12..
November 5th, 2008 at 10:39 am
I’m jealous Barry. There’s some chatter out there about Volcker being a possible Tsy Secy….he seems a bit on the old side. Did you get the feeling he was still lucid enough to handle that sort of job? What an interesting situation that would be….Volcker who jacked short term rates sky high to kill inflation having meetings with Helicopter Ben….
- AT
November 5th, 2008 at 10:42 am
SB – don’t they have to at least wait a month for the jobs? They can’t pretend that Obama winning last night caused LAST MONTH’S jobs, can they? If they wait until December, they can try to claim it was Obama’s victory that caused everyone to dump jobs when they had done such a spectacular job of keeping everything “ok”..
I’m glad Obama won, but I’m thanking God that they didn’t get 60 in the Senate.. that would have been a disaster.
November 5th, 2008 at 11:04 am
Wow, my CHK calls are up 1300% today, go Obama.
November 5th, 2008 at 12:43 pm
Just waiting for Obama to throw Volcker under the bus (a la Rev. Jeremiah Wright) when he proposes unpopular remedies to our current problems.
November 5th, 2008 at 3:12 pm
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/05/business/05views.html
yes, there are those who understand that the massive bailout is probably going to end badly….
Tall Paul indeed.