White House official: Obama to tap Walmart exec as budget chief

WASHINGTON President Barack Obama on Monday will nominate Walmart's Sylvia Matthews Burwell as his next budget director, a senior administration official said.

If confirmed by the Senate, Burwell would take the helm at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) at a time of heated budget battles between the White House and congressional Republicans. She would also bring more diversity to Obama's second-term Cabinet following criticism that many top jobs were going to white men.

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The 47-year-old Burwell is a Washington veteran, having served as OMB's deputy director in the Clinton administration and chief of staff to former Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin. She currently runs the Walmart Foundation, the retail giant's philanthropic wing, and previously served as president of the Gates Foundation's Global Development Program.

"Burwell's deep knowledge of budget and economic issues along with her record of fighting for working Americans make her the perfect choice to lead the OMB at this important time," a White House official told CBS News.

Burwell's nomination signals that the White House is trying to get back to normal business after the president and Congress failed to avert $85 billion in automatic spending cuts that took effect Friday. While the president has warned of dire consequences for the economy as a result of the cuts, the White House does not want the standoff with Congress to keep the president from focusing on other second-term priorities, including filling out his Cabinet and pursuing stricter gun laws and an overhaul of the nation's immigration system.

Obama made quick work of filling key national security openings in his administration, but has been slower to makes appointments for other Cabinet openings, including the OMB post. Vacancies also remain at the Environmental Protection Agency, the Commerce and Energy Departments, and the U.S. trade representative.

Burwell would replace acting OMB director Jeffrey Zients, a well-liked figure in the Obama administration who has been discussed as a contender for other top jobs.

The White House official told CBS News President Obama will make the announcement at 10:15 a.m. ET Monday.

[zmonkee]

andthetruthis replies:
Get it straight - Boehner,and the Republicans threw Americans under the bus,to show all Americans they will send us all to h@ll before they will agree,and co-operate with "that one there".
"I don't know whether its going to hurt the economy or not. I don't think anyone quite understands" how the sequester will play out, Boehner said.
He's saying he doesn't even know what he's done to America.


HA!!!! I suppose you missed pelosi saying that we have to "pass obamacare, to find out what's in it?"-- Talk about not knowing what you have done to America...Just wait until all that $rap kicks in-- don't worry though....obo will just blame all the job losses and pay cuts on the sequester-

[pleaseletitbeso]

This is amazing,

the extreame left must be all about the hand wringing over this one.

[zmonkee]

Pretty amusing how all the lefties that post here, are always whining about how "evil" Wal Mart is--- HAHHAA!!!!!

[omnibus66]

This is a nomination made in Heaven for the Republicans. A person who is working for a humongous corporation that exhibits all of the "values" that the Republicans fight so hard for. Low wages, imported merchandise, no health insurance, and most importantly billions of dollars of profit for rich people. It will be interesting to see what kind of straw men they construct to block this nomination.

[Ulgnud]

This gal is in charge of dispensing handouts. No surprise Obama would want someone like that.

[nohater]

people still shop at walmart stores regardless of how some criticize the chain. the chain does offer good selections of products at good prices and everyone wants a bargain, rock bottom, price for what they buy today. this woman has the credentials having worked in the bill clinton administration as the omb's deputy director and was cos to former secretary of the treasury rubin. give the woman and obama some slack.

[weareidiots]

Yes, there is no corporatocracy.

[JodySmith2020]

Americans need to change their thinking with reality: A job at Wal-Mart should be viewed as a entry level job not a long term career unless you plan to move up into management.

The incentive to any Wal-Mart employee is to continue their education with the goal of landing a better paying job to further their career. Wal-Mart does not owe anyone anything and every employee has the right to stay there or find another job.

Wal-Mart is able to provide millions and millions of Americans each day with low prices and the largest variety of things to choose from. Although I prefer Target myself, Wal-Mart recently opened up 3 Super Centers around us employing over 1600 people combined and every single one of those new stores are jammed pack every day.

As to Burwell, it's to be expected that the same big mouths who fought Obama on every other one of his appointments would do the same here. She hasn't even started yet and the Salem Witch trial talking heads are already smelling blood like rabid animals.

[Mikzy]

Absolutely agree with you, man... or woman. People keep complaining about Walmart when Walmart is supplying a vital need. If the people working at Walmart were marketable somewhere else, they would not be working for Walmart. Forcing them to raise their wages or treat their workers "better" would only force people from their jobs, onto the streets. I'm no Conservative, but it angers me when people beat up on that place. I, just today, had my car's battery replaced at Walmart. I received excellent service from decent, Walmart employees. They did not seem to be the least bit angered by their overbearing "lords", subjugating them to near slave labor. Sometimes liberals need something to whine about... I hate injecting party but this time...

[littleredtop]

Another stupid selection. Obama obviously can't find a qualified man for this position so he selects a ruthless female executive from a company that has done more to destroy this nation than any other. Wal-Mart has literally driven thousands and thousands of small to medium sized American companies out of business - from small town mom and pop stores to large suppliers and major competitors. Wal-Mart's business tactics are ruthless, reckless and irresponsible. Wal-Mart is as un-American as an American company can be.

[zoomerduck]

Didn't Wal-Mart have employee walkouts this year because of management issues? Since Mr. Walton passed, the management has done nothing but rape the company for profit. this is NOT how he built the chain. This appointment shows a total lack of care for our economy, and a continuance of the same practice of the previous administration(s). Lie,Steal, and Cheat-Rape, Pillage, and Plunder! What a disappointment and betrayal to the office of presidency and the american people. but this is just one of so many that has already been done. What a disappointment.