A New York Times editorial (The Right Stuff) salutes the work of Douglas Holtz-Eakin, who is leaving this week after three years as Director of the Congressional Budget Office:
As director of the Congressional Budget Office, Douglas Holtz-Eakin has been Congress’s top economist, handpicked by the Republican leadership. Recently, he had some advice for lawmakers – mostly Republicans – who insist that more tax cuts will foster economic growth and raise tax revenue: "Don’t even think about it."…
Mr. Holtz-Eakin … is retiring this week after three years as the director. In those years, he has delivered nonpartisan, data-driven research on some of the most controversial issues. Often, what Mr. Holtz-Eakin said wasn’t what his bosses wanted to hear….
By going where the facts and figures led, Mr. Holtz-Eakin also protected his agency, which may be the last bastion of neutral government analysis in Washington. To succeed him, Congressional leaders need a top economist who has a reputation to protect and is a superb number cruncher, fluent communicator of complex issues and good manager.
For other coverage of Mr. Holtz-Eaton’s departure, see:
