The Patriot Post® · Kudlow Brings a Welcome Voice to Trump's Team

“Larry Kudlow was offered, and accepted, the position of assistant to the president for economic policy and director of the National Economic Council,” White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders announced. “We will work to have an orderly transition and will keep everyone posted on the timing of him officially assuming the role.” Kudlow has been tapped to succeed Gary Cohn, the recently departed economic adviser.

So what?

Well, a few things.

As David Harsanyi writes, “Many liberal columnists have already lined up to point out that Kudlow has made some bad predictions in the past. It’s worth remembering that this puts him on par with just about every other economist who’s ever appeared on TV or written a column or worked for government. Kudlow’s rosy predictions seem predicated on an optimistic view that fails to consider the unpredictability of markets and the unpredictability of world events. Economists, all of them, should stop trying to be seers.”

But Kudlow also has some sound views. He reportedly played a significant role in helping push the tax cuts through the Senate. Just two weeks ago, Kudlow co-authored an op-ed explaining that tariffs are taxes. It was direct opposition to President Donald Trump’s plan to place tariffs on steel and aluminum. That means Trump isn’t averse to having opposing arguments in his administration. “We don’t agree on everything, but in this case I think that’s good," Trump said of Kudlow. "I want to have different opinions.”

After serving in Ronald Reagan’s administration, Kudlow has long been a TV host and syndicated columnist arguing for free trade, low taxes and light regulation. That’s a welcome voice in the White House.