Keep your enemies close?

The news that Obama has recently had a meeting with two of his fiercest critics, Krugman and Stiglitz, does him credit. I think there is more to it than the title of the post: it suggests maturity that Obama is willing to listen to different views. One can't imagine Gordon Brown, for instance, being so open minded. Leaders who encourage diversity of opinion are likely to end up better informed than ones that don't, and to make better decisions as a result. I'd like Krugman and Geithner to do a job swap, of course, but at least Krugman isn't crying unheeded in the wilderness.