Former Ohio attorney general focuses on job as consumer watchdog

Richard Cordray, director of the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), left, delivers remarks as U.S. President Barack Obama looks on during a visit to the CFPB in Washington D.C., U.S., on Jan. 6, 2012. Cordray's appointment as director of the CFPB moves the new agency nearer to fulfilling its intended role as a one-stop shop for borrower safeguards.

Michael Reynolds/Bloomberg Richard Cordray, director of the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), left, delivers remarks as U.S. President Barack Obama looks on during a visit to the CFPB in Washington D.C., U.S., on Jan. 6, 2012. Cordray's appointment as director of the CFPB moves the new agency nearer to fulfilling its intended role as a one-stop shop for borrower safeguards.

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9:10 PM Sunday, January 22, 2012

Newly appointed Consumer Financial Protection Bureau head Richard Cordray reached out to the U.S. Conference of Mayors on Wednesday in his new role as head of the consumer watchdog – and he got a special introduction from a fellow Ohioan.

Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman, introducing Cordray to the group, called Cordray a “strong advocate for consumers throughout his career.”

During an hour-long panel session, Cordray said now that he’s appointed, he has a “robust set of tools” to conduct his duty as watchdog to both bank and nonbank financial entities, and told the group that once he begins to conduct his watchdog duties, some of the hubbub surrounding his appointment will likely die down.

Both Republicans and Democrats “all represent the same people we are looking to serve. They know, we all know more needs to be done to try to address these issues,” he said. “We will win people over if we can do our work well. So it is on us, and I’m happy to take that responsibility.”

Cordray’s appearance before the mayors is the latest in what has been a swing of public appearances by the former Ohio attorney general. Earlier Wednesday, Cordray, appearing on “Morning Joe” on MSNBC, shrugged off questions about whether he was in his job legally. Republicans have said Obama illegally appointed Cordray because the Senate had not formally recessed when Obama named him as a recess appointment.

“There are lawyers who are digging into that,” Cordray said. “My job is to be the director of the Consumer Bureau. It feels to me that director position was long overdue to be filled. We’ve got a lot of work to do for the public ... and that’s what I’m focused on.”

Turner endorses Romney for president

Sen. Rob Portman wasn’t the only Ohioan to endorse former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney for president last week. Rep. Mike Turner endorsed Romney on Tuesday.

“I am honored to have Congressman Turner on my team,” Romney said in a press release. “I look forward to working with Congressman Turner as I campaign across the country to grow the economy and create jobs.”

Turner, a Centerville Republican who has represented the Dayton area since 2002, meanwhile said he is proud to support Romney. “As his record clearly shows, Mitt Romney is the leader that our economy needs to restore growth, that our party needs to defeat President Obama in 2012, and that our country needs to get back on track.”

Strickland staffer gets nod from Obama

President Barack Obama’s re-election team picked Strickland campaign veteran Lis Smith to be its director of rapid response.

Smith is leaving her post as communications director for the Democratic Governors Association to work for Obama.

Joe Vardon, Joe Hallett and Jessica Wehrman contributed to this report. Capitol Corridors runs every Monday in the Dayton Daily News.

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