Three good moves

Three praise-worthy messages/steps from the Obama team yesterday: First, the focus on fixing the health care system at the fiscal responsibility summit was right on. Until we figure out how to deal with the fifty, sixy or seventy trillion dollar plus retirement health care deficit we’ve got (the final brain-scrambling number depends on who’s counting) ...

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WASHINGTON - FEBRUARY 23: U.S. President Barack Obama (R) and U.S. Vice President Joe Biden smile before Obama speaks at the National Governors Association in the State Dining Room of the White House February 23, 2009 in Washington, DC. Obama has pledged 15 billion dollars for Medicaid to help states meet thier healthcare obligations. (Photo by Dennis Brack-Pool/Gety Images)

Three praise-worthy messages/steps from the Obama team yesterday:

First, the focus on fixing the health care system at the fiscal responsibility summit was right on. Until we figure out how to deal with the fifty, sixy or seventy trillion dollar plus retirement health care deficit we’ve got (the final brain-scrambling number depends on who’s counting) and the ridiculously bloated health care costs we face in this country, we will not be dealing with our number one economic threat.

Second, the apparent selection of Gary Locke, former governor of Washington, for U.S. Commerce Secretary should be heartening to those worried about the administration taken a protectionist turn. Locke comes from a state that is a U.S. leader in exports (Boeing, apples, etc.) and knows how vital connecting with the global economy is to the creation of U.S. jobs. And, like the long line of Commerce nominees before him, his having been a governor suggests he actually knows how to run something which is a good thing. In addition to which, Locke himself is highly thought of by many of those with whom I spoke who worked closely with him when he was governor. 

Third, it’s good that the State Department finally announced it was appointing Dennis Ross as a key Mideast advisor to Secretary Clinton focusing on Iran, the most critical component of our strategy for the region. There are few who are smarter, wiser, more experienced or better guys.

Dennis Brack-Pool/Gety Images

David Rothkopf is visiting professor at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs and visiting scholar at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. His latest book is The Great Questions of Tomorrow. He has been a longtime contributor to Foreign Policy and was CEO and editor of the FP Group from 2012 to May 2017. Twitter: @djrothkopf

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