Monday, October 13, 2014

Think Tank CAP to be Clinton's Policy Shop

The founder of Center for American Progress (CAP) John Podesta is in an awkward position.  He is currently President Obama's Counselor, but he has also been joining informal meetings of Hillary Clinton advisers who are working on Hillary's presidential bid.

Here is how The Wall Street Journal recently described the situation of CAP, as liberals begin to transition from an Obama era to a possible Hillary era:
He [John Podesta] founded Washington’s major liberal think tank, the Center for American Progress, which is likely to be a pipeline of policy positions and staff for a Clinton presidential bid. Speaking at the 10-year anniversary party for CAP in 2013, with Mr. Podesta beside her on stage, Mrs. Clinton called him the “indispensable man.”

It was recently reported that Podesta will likely be Hillary Clinton's campaign chairman, and CAP President Neera Tanden will likely be an outside informal adviser to Clinton.

Here is a recent Think Tank Watch piece on the Clinton connection to think tanks.

In September 2014, Clinton participated in a CAP roundtable on women's economic security.

Back in 2003, Clinton called John Podesta a "friend" and praised CAP, calling it an "important institution" and a "tremendous force."