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Politics : Politics for Pros- moderated -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Nadine Carroll who wrote (295211)	3/5/2009 9:08:55 PM
From: mph	3 Recommendations Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 793914

Why can't it be both malice and incompetence? Fits the bill where O is concerned, imo.

To: Nadine Carroll who wrote (295211)	3/5/2009 9:19:15 PM
From: unclewest	2 Recommendations Respond to of 793914

Obama gets some 3,000+ direct political appointees and perhaps 10-20 times that number indirect. It is not unusual to have some Pres appointee positions still vacant after one month. I hope a higher number of vacant positions is not unusual for a pres who violates every campaign promise in the first 30 days. The number of high level withdrawals are no surprise given the post election and non-conforming moves by the administration.

To: Nadine Carroll who wrote (295211)	3/5/2009 9:43:36 PM
From: LindyBill	2 Recommendations Read Replies (4) \| Respond to of 793914

To quote Napoleon, never ascribe to malice that which can adequately be explained by incompetence. Obama presented health care reform today as our "great crisis." And then turned it over to Pelosi to solve. The Admin has no plan. He said it was "causing a bankruptcy every 30 seconds." Which the WH can't back up. Said that you can keep your insurance and your doctor. While Pelosi cuts the cost of health care by increasing it 634 Billion and adding 50 million more people to it. In the meantime, they still don't have a plan out to solve the real crisis, the banks. This is what is tanking the markets. Meanwhile, over in Iran, they get ready to test a Nuke by the end of the year. And we can never get the rest of the world to go along with the kind of sanctions that could possibly stop it. When the Israelis decide to attack, this admin will not support them. So by this time next year, the mad Mullah's will have the power to eliminate Tel Aviv. And I will keep dancing in Waikiki.

To: Nadine Carroll who wrote (295211)	3/5/2009 11:49:41 PM
From: Sdgla	1 Recommendation Respond to of 793914

Geithner's Top Deputy Pick Withdraws From Consideration Annette Nazareth, a former senior staffer and commissioner with the Securities and Exchange Commission, withdrew after several interviews. WASHINGTON -- Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner's top pick to be his deputy withdrew from consideration Thursday, a setback for the agency as it confronts the worst financial crisis in decades. Annette Nazareth, a former senior staffer and commissioner with the Securities and Exchange Commission, withdrew after several interviews and vetting of her financial history, a person familiar with Nazareth's decision said. But this person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because Geithner never publicly named Nazareth as his choice, said no problems with her taxes or other issues arose. Nazareth, a partner at the law firm Davis Polk & Wardwell, could not be reached for comment. Treasury and White House officials would not comment on the matter. Nazareth's withdrawal from consideration comes as critics say Geithner's lacks the senior staff he needs to make critical decisions about the financial crisis. Not one of his top 17 deputies has been named, let alone confirmed. Without senior leadership, lower-level Treasury employees can't make decisions or represent the government in crucial conversations with banks and others. At a Senate hearing Thursday about failed insurance giant American International Group Inc. -- which has received four separate bailouts totaling more than $170 billion -- Sen. Chris Dodd said he had asked Treasury for someone to appear, but that no one was available. "I am not pleased that we don't have someone here from Treasury to explain what their role in this is," Dodd said. foxnews.com

To: Nadine Carroll who wrote (295211)	3/6/2009 8:04:16 AM
From: Brumar89	3 Recommendations Respond to of 793914

Nobody wants to work with Timmy the Tax Cheat First Judd Gregg (Census), now Annette Nazareth (Treasury), Caroline Atkinson (Treasury), Sanjay Gupta (Surgeon General), Susan Tierney (Energy), Jane Garvey (Transportation) Thank goodness nothing significant is happening in the economy that would require Treasury Department attention. Timmy the Tax Cheat is running Treasury all by himself: The person Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner wanted as his chief deputy withdrew from consideration Thursday, dealing a setback to the agency as it struggles to address the worst financial crisis in decades. Annette Nazareth, a former senior staffer and commissioner with the Securities and Exchange Commission, made “a personal decision” to withdraw from the process, according to a person familiar with her decision. […] Geithner has been criticized for staffing his department too slowly as it grapples with a banking crisis that has crippled the economy. Uncertainty about Treasury staff also has unnerved financial markets. Five weeks into his tenure, he has yet to name a single top deputy or assistant secretary. This has left Treasury with too few people authorized to make decisions or represent the department in meetings with stakeholders. These guys are starting to make the Bush Administration look competent. -- W.C. Varones polipundit.com ----------------------------- WSJ: More staffing woes at Treasury Some more non-confidence-inspiring news from Treasury: Annette Nazareth, who was expected to be tapped as Deputy Treasury Secretary, has taken her name out of the running for the job, these people said. In addition, Mr. Geithner's pick for undersecretary for international affairs, Caroline Atkinson, has also withdrawn her name from consideration. Also: Gupta's gone. By Ben Smith 06:42 PM politico.com -------------------------------- Gupta withdraws surgeon general bid By CARRIE BUDOFF BROWN \| 3/5/09 7:38 PM EST Text Size: Gupta’s decision is yet another blow to Obama’s effort to expand health coverage this year. Photo: AP CNN’s Sanjay Gupta withdrew his name from consideration for surgeon general Thursday, denying President Barack Obama a popular pitchman for his effort to sell a major health-care overhaul effort to the American people. Gupta’s withdrawal is yet another blow to Obama’s effort to expand health coverage this year – a push that already has seen the departure of Obama’s first choice for health secretary, Tom Daschle, over back-tax problems. Gupta’s name surfaced as the leading candidate when Daschle was still expected to take the health secretary post. When Daschle stepped aside, Gupta reportedly had second thoughts, and questioned how he would fit into the new regime at the White House and Health and Human Services department. Obama named Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius as health secretary on Monday. Gupta did run into some resistance. Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.) circulated a letter to his colleagues calling the choice misguided, and some doctors complained the job was about more than publicity. Gupta has been expected to serve as a chief communicator on the health care reform effort, combining his skills as an on-air medical reporter and neurosurgeon to elucidate a complex topic. An administration official said Gupta had been under “serious consideration,” but he wanted to focus more on his medical career and his family. “His wife is expecting another child right now,” CNN’s Wolf Blitzer said Thursday on “The Situation Room. “And of course, he wants to continue to be our chief medical correspondent at CNN.” Gupta is scheduled to be the first guest Thursday on “Larry King Live.” politico.com