Senate Banking Committee Chairman Chris Dodd has for weeks called into doubt whether Elizabeth Warren can be confirmed to head the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. But for the first time this week, Dodd has called into question whether she’s qualified for the job, reversing his earlier position.
“It isn’t just a question of being a consumer advocate. I want to see that she can manage something, too,” Dodd told the Hartford Courant.
That’s a far cry from what he told TPM and other reporters just weeks ago, when his only stated concern, based on his conversations with colleagues, was that Democrats may have a hard time rounding up 60 votes to confirm her.
“She’s qualified, no question about that,” Dodd said. “The question is whether she’s confirmable.”
Despite his reservations, Dodd acknowledged that he’ll support her if President Obama nominates her. “If the president wants to name her and it goes through the hearing process, then fine, she’ll have my support,” Dodd said.
Brian Beutler
Brian Beutler is TPM's senior congressional reporter. Since 2009, he's led coverage of health care reform, Wall Street reform, taxes, the GOP budget, the government shutdown fight, and the debt limit fight. He can be reached at brian@talkingpointsmemo.com.
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