Scaramucci Contradicts Trump at Davos
Via Soren K. at MarketSlant| We noticed yesterday that Anthony Scaramucci's Davos behavior was that of a child new to getting attention. Prior to Trump he was quick to lead with his humble Long-Island "regular guy" story when among evil elitists. So yesterday we were confused. Is Scaramucci (nicknamed Mooch) just being a bit too euphoric in his spotlight moment? Or was he really just itching to be a member of the club and dying to drop the "normal guy" schtick? We don't know, but he does seem to be harming the populist image on which Trump ran.
But Mooch does not seem to be a good fit for Trump.
As Matt Levine noted today: Anthony Scaramucci is a fund-of-funds marketer who has achieved some public notoriety for complaining that Barack Obama was "whacking at the Wall Street piñata" and and for comparing the Department of Labor's fiduciary rule to slavery. So of course he has a new job doing public relations for Donald Trump at Davos, which I think might be the absolute worst job/employer/location combination I can imagine? He seems happy though: “This is my 10th year here, but my first year here with a food taster,” Mr. Scaramucci quipped at the beginning of a conference session Tuesday afternoon nominally on the “Outlook for the United States” but really about President-elect Trump—and a little bit about Anthony Scaramucci. Full editorial here
For example, Scaramucci made a very non-populist statement while with his new tasting pals.
(FT) Donald Trump is committed to globalisation. "Elite in Europe and US have misunderstood trade stance"
So we agree with Matt Levine on the surface of it. And that probably means Scaramucci is a red herring for Trump policy ideas. Mooch is Trump's cognitive dissonance outsourced. If people like what he says? Trump takes credit. They don't, he's fired.
#WEF17 http://pic.twitter.com/uE3NvRSJdp
— Rudolf E. Havenstein (@RudyHavenstein) January 18, 2017
Mooch the Davos Shill and Potential Fall Guy?
Our guess is Scaramucci is first to go if Trump loses his balance between public face and private bettors. And that makes Scarmucci, who is no dummy, adept in the ways of the financial/ political the revolving door. His exit strategy was cemented at Davos we'd bet.
We see Mooch as a guy who may be Trump's opposite in some ways but shares that quality of having a secret need to be liked by the elites. Trump rails at those who would not acknowledge his skills or accept him into their white-shoe club. Scaramucci put his head down and did all he could to be included, but always careful to lead with the "local guy makes good" schtick. The outsider who desires acceptance and status above all.
Overheard at Davos
- Davos Waiter: Mr. Scaramucci, Bono wants to share a creme brulee with you in the kitchen.
- Scaramucci: Wow, I'm so excited!! I'll be right there
- Hey Mooch, remember us?
2 Days to Trump-ageddon. Good Luck
Vbl
Twitter: @VlanciPictures
via http://ift.tt/2jom7iR Vince Lanci