Rasmussen reports that Americans are evenly split on whether Tim Geithner should be confirmed as Secretary of the Treasury.
Forty-one percent (41%) of U.S. voters say Geithner’s failure to pay Social Security and Medicare taxes in 2001, 2002 and 2003 should prevent him from being Treasury secretary, while the identical number (41%) disagree. Eighteen percent (18%) are not sure in a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey…
Sixty-six percent (66%) believe there is a double standard for prominent people like Geithner and regular middle-class people who get caught doing the same thing. Nineteen percent (19%) don’t believe this is true, and 15% are not sure.
The Secretary of the Treasury is the face of a president’s economic plan. You only need to think about how frequently Secretary Paulson appeared on television and radio to consider just how important it it is that the Treasury Secretary be credible, and have the trust of the public. Robert Rubin was so central to Bill Clinton’s economic thinking that it is now called ‘Rubinomics.’ John Snow, Paul O’Neill, Lloyd Bentsen, Don Regan, James Baker… all have had outsized public images because of their crucial roles in explaining the economic policies of the president.
In other words, Tim Geithner is about to become a household name — assuming that he is confirmed. Until the economy is back to growing steadily, he’ll be the most prominent member of Obama’s administration; that may be for Geithner’s entire time in the office.
And in the eyes of the public, Geithner’s already got two strikes against him. It will be difficult for him to gain public confidence as he asks for patience in the face of $2 trillion deficits, job losses, and negative growth. For sake of comparison, consider the difficulty the Bush administration encountered because they could not lean heavily on Paul O’Neill — who never really gained the complete trust of the president or the public. Geithner’s situation will be somewhat similar — except he will be defending administration policies in a time of economic contraction, rather than steady expansion.
It’s not a smooth beginning for an administration with a tough job ahead.
HT: Instapundit
Moe Lane
Steve Maley
Dan McLaughlin
Neil Stevens
Daniel Horowitz
Starting a trade war with China
Old_Crow (Diary) Friday, January 23rd at 4:13PM EST (link)is a real rookie mistake. Accusing China of manipulating their currency (they do) serves no purpose other than creating conflict. We need China to purchase our debt (unfortunate situation but it’s reality).
I don’t think we want to call China’s bluff right now. Too much risk, too little reward
“Enlightened statesmen will not always be at the helm.” — James Madison
China and taxes
Princeliberty Friday, January 23rd at 5:16PM EST (link)Apparently under Obama if you make enough money you don’t have to pay taxes.
Also, on China, they really are bluffing. There exports are zooming down and they are spending their cash on bailing themselves out and building their military pretty soon China will have no money to lend anyway.
So the money from China will soon end regardless. So no use kissing their behind anymore.
Better cut spending!
Princeliberty
I Know Geithner Will Get The Nomination.
Bourbeau Friday, January 23rd at 4:46PM EST (link)But I want to say again, to any Senator that thinks this situation is so dire, that Timothy Geithner, Tax Cheat Extraordianire, is indispensible.and the only man for the job. What exactly would be the next move should Timothy Geithner become incapacitated tomorrow morning? Would the country fold up and dissolve? Would we be destined for economic hell? No, we’d find the next man/woman available, who met the same qualifications as Geithner, and put them in the slot. Any Senator voiting for this cheat should be ashamed of themselves, and I hope their constituents hold them accountable. SECRETARY OF TREASURY IS NO PLACE FOR A TAX CHEAT.
I Know Geithner Will Get The Nomination.
Bourbeau Friday, January 23rd at 4:46PM EST (link)But I want to say again, to any Senator that thinks this situation is so dire, that Timothy Geithner, Tax Cheat Extraordianire, is indispensible.and the only man for the job. What exactly would be the next move should Timothy Geithner become incapacitated tomorrow morning? Would the country fold up and dissolve? Would we be destined for economic hell? No, we’d find the next man/woman available, who met the same qualifications as Geithner, and put them in the slot. Any Senator voiting for this cheat should be ashamed of themselves, and I hope their constituents hold them accountable. SECRETARY OF TREASURY IS NO PLACE FOR A TAX CHEAT.
Dems have no other choices?
Dencal26 Friday, January 23rd at 6:19PM EST (link)Do Dems have a shortage of untainted candidates for Cabinet positions? They have yet to name Richardsons replacement and are settling for a TAX CHEAT at Treasury.
Marc Rich would seem to be the perfect candidate
bk (Diary) Saturday, January 24th at 6:00AM EST (link)He’s a better and more experienced tax cheat than Geithner and we know that he’d work well with the AG if that opportunity ever arose.
I'll support him, but only if
Praying (Diary) Friday, January 23rd at 8:43PM EST (link)I get to make a $34,000 little boo-boo on my taxes, and he promises not to do anything about it.
No!!!11!1!!1!1! The Bilderbergers are coming
Only 41%
Rapunzel46 Saturday, January 24th at 12:09AM EST (link)oppose his confirmation? What the heck has happened to this country!
Republicans' hope in TG is misplaced
Mike gamecock DeVine (Diary) Saturday, January 24th at 4:42AM EST (link)Summers is the sufficient receptacle of hope.
Tg was not so great in NY.
His tax behavior is disqualifying. The GOP should not be complicit in defining deviancy down.
He obviously intentionally cheated on taxes.
Hillary is in the same category. Exhibit One: FALN terrorist pardons.
Mike DeVine’s Examiner.com, Charlotte Observer and The Minority Report columns
“One man with courage makes a majority.” – Andrew Jackson