Notes From My Washington Trip
By David Feldman at 12 February, 2009, 2:36 pm
I just got back from my first visit to Washington since the Inauguration. I met with clients, regulators and one good old friend. Pushing as always to see if we can’t get any movement on the “evergreen” requirement in 144(i) and other issues. In any event, clearly, change has come. At least to our nation’s capital. A few observations (not all actually relevant but still fun):
- As I approached the SEC office building, several cars parked had Obama caps in the windshield or bumper stickers.
- At Union Station, I (a) bought my son Obama “change has come to America” chocolate bars and (b) saw a famous weatherman buying chips and Peppermint Patty’s at the Hudson newsstand.
- In the SEC lobby and waiting area, wait for it, they have Fox Business News on. Inclusive no?
- They already have Obama’s and Mary Schapiro’s portraits up at the SEC.
- As I’m riding in a cab, I pass former SEC Chair Harvey Pitt walking with a friend on a beautiful surprisingly warm winter day.
- More than ever, people in suits riding bikes to and from work.
- As I exit the train in DC, a group of very distinguished looking African American gentlemen exit the train, and are met by several policemen. My concerns are alleviated as it turns out the police are there to escort the gentlemen to whatever important meeting they were to attend.
- It seems to some the campaign has not ended. Many still proudly wearing Obama buttons.
- As I sat in the bar of my hotel waiting for my dinner companion, the woman next to me has a picture of the inauguration as the background on her phone.
- I realized why my hotel was so inexpensive: starting around 5am, construction across the street. Wait, let me say that again to you in Vegas, New York, Florida. Yes, new building construction going on bigtime in DC.
- Said an unnamed official: “It’s a good time to be an employee of the US Government.” One even suggested I throw my hat into the ring for Director of the SEC Division of Corporation Finance. Thanks, but I’m enjoying the fun of bullying the recession from closer to Wall Street. By the way, watch that appointment as it will give a sense of whether Ms. Schapiro will focus more on enforcement than our friends at Corp Fin.
Change has come.
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