Soon after President-elect Obama and still-President Bush sat down on Monday, reports began to surface that the Obama camp was considering the appointment of a "Car Czar." The position would provide the new administration with analysis and advice on the auto industry and the financial (and product?) perils faced by Detroit Big 3(ish).
The original report by the Detroit News said that both Bush and Obama could be in favor of appointing an auto czar to oversee Federal efforts to provide emergency assistance to domestic automakers, and now Automotive News has thrown a name into the ring; Daniel Tarullo, a law professor at Georgetown University and expert on international economics.
Tarullo has held a number of positions outside of his teaching duties, including serving under the Clinton administration, acting as chief counsel to Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) and working with the Brookings Institute on its Council for Foreign Relations. That's all well and good, but what's his background with the auto industry? In short, nada. Which makes us wonder: is it better to have someone who's had their hands in the industry for decades or a fresh mind that hasn't been sullied by time on the inside? And more to the point, do we even need a "Car Czar?"
[Sources: Detroit News, Automotive News – Sub. Req.]
The original report by the Detroit News said that both Bush and Obama could be in favor of appointing an auto czar to oversee Federal efforts to provide emergency assistance to domestic automakers, and now Automotive News has thrown a name into the ring; Daniel Tarullo, a law professor at Georgetown University and expert on international economics.
Tarullo has held a number of positions outside of his teaching duties, including serving under the Clinton administration, acting as chief counsel to Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) and working with the Brookings Institute on its Council for Foreign Relations. That's all well and good, but what's his background with the auto industry? In short, nada. Which makes us wonder: is it better to have someone who's had their hands in the industry for decades or a fresh mind that hasn't been sullied by time on the inside? And more to the point, do we even need a "Car Czar?"
[Sources: Detroit News, Automotive News – Sub. Req.]
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