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Clockwise from top left: Roger Altman (Center for American Progress); Newt Gingrich (Gage Skidmore); John Podesta (Center for American Progress); Ed Feulner (Gage Skidmore)
When it comes to Hillary Clinton's and Donald Trump's election campaigns--and potential presidencies--who's actually in "the room where it happens?"
Watchdog group Public Citizen sheds light behind closed doors with its new report, out Thursday, entitled The Company They Keep: A Guide to the Presidential Candidates' Domestic Policy Advisers (pdf).
Arguing that "personnel choices provide a window into politicians' true views," the dossier provides basic information about 26 advisers to Clinton and Trump--13 people on each side.
The report reads:
This list is not comprehensive. In general, those included are people whose expertise focuses on policies as opposed to politics. That is, messaging gurus, pollsters and spinmeisters are not included. Some of those who have been dubbed policy advisers also are not included, simply because there is no evidence that they truly have the candidate's ear. For instance, a member of one of the candidates' economic teams said recently that he had never spoken to the candidate.
The potential roles of these individuals vary. Some are potential leaders of post-Election Day transition teams if their candidate wins; others may be candidates for prominent appointments, such as to cabinet-level positions; still others might be positioned to be influential advisers if their candidate wins, even if they are not likely to join the administration.
In each of these scenarios, these individuals' backgrounds and outlooks matter, both because of their potential to shape policies and because of what their proximity to the candidates says about the candidates themselves.
Among those whispering in Clinton's ears:
And in Trump's:
Notably, there are no women identified as close advisers on Trump's side.
Trump and Musk are on an unconstitutional rampage, aiming for virtually every corner of the federal government. These two right-wing billionaires are targeting nurses, scientists, teachers, daycare providers, judges, veterans, air traffic controllers, and nuclear safety inspectors. No one is safe. The food stamps program, Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid are next. It’s an unprecedented disaster and a five-alarm fire, but there will be a reckoning. The people did not vote for this. The American people do not want this dystopian hellscape that hides behind claims of “efficiency.” Still, in reality, it is all a giveaway to corporate interests and the libertarian dreams of far-right oligarchs like Musk. Common Dreams is playing a vital role by reporting day and night on this orgy of corruption and greed, as well as what everyday people can do to organize and fight back. As a people-powered nonprofit news outlet, we cover issues the corporate media never will, but we can only continue with our readers’ support. |
When it comes to Hillary Clinton's and Donald Trump's election campaigns--and potential presidencies--who's actually in "the room where it happens?"
Watchdog group Public Citizen sheds light behind closed doors with its new report, out Thursday, entitled The Company They Keep: A Guide to the Presidential Candidates' Domestic Policy Advisers (pdf).
Arguing that "personnel choices provide a window into politicians' true views," the dossier provides basic information about 26 advisers to Clinton and Trump--13 people on each side.
The report reads:
This list is not comprehensive. In general, those included are people whose expertise focuses on policies as opposed to politics. That is, messaging gurus, pollsters and spinmeisters are not included. Some of those who have been dubbed policy advisers also are not included, simply because there is no evidence that they truly have the candidate's ear. For instance, a member of one of the candidates' economic teams said recently that he had never spoken to the candidate.
The potential roles of these individuals vary. Some are potential leaders of post-Election Day transition teams if their candidate wins; others may be candidates for prominent appointments, such as to cabinet-level positions; still others might be positioned to be influential advisers if their candidate wins, even if they are not likely to join the administration.
In each of these scenarios, these individuals' backgrounds and outlooks matter, both because of their potential to shape policies and because of what their proximity to the candidates says about the candidates themselves.
Among those whispering in Clinton's ears:
And in Trump's:
Notably, there are no women identified as close advisers on Trump's side.
When it comes to Hillary Clinton's and Donald Trump's election campaigns--and potential presidencies--who's actually in "the room where it happens?"
Watchdog group Public Citizen sheds light behind closed doors with its new report, out Thursday, entitled The Company They Keep: A Guide to the Presidential Candidates' Domestic Policy Advisers (pdf).
Arguing that "personnel choices provide a window into politicians' true views," the dossier provides basic information about 26 advisers to Clinton and Trump--13 people on each side.
The report reads:
This list is not comprehensive. In general, those included are people whose expertise focuses on policies as opposed to politics. That is, messaging gurus, pollsters and spinmeisters are not included. Some of those who have been dubbed policy advisers also are not included, simply because there is no evidence that they truly have the candidate's ear. For instance, a member of one of the candidates' economic teams said recently that he had never spoken to the candidate.
The potential roles of these individuals vary. Some are potential leaders of post-Election Day transition teams if their candidate wins; others may be candidates for prominent appointments, such as to cabinet-level positions; still others might be positioned to be influential advisers if their candidate wins, even if they are not likely to join the administration.
In each of these scenarios, these individuals' backgrounds and outlooks matter, both because of their potential to shape policies and because of what their proximity to the candidates says about the candidates themselves.
Among those whispering in Clinton's ears:
And in Trump's:
Notably, there are no women identified as close advisers on Trump's side.