By Matthew Russell Lee
WASHINGTON, January 9 -- Alongside President Barack Obama's nominations of John Kerry, Chuck Hagel and John Brennan, the post of Treasury Secretary is said to be slated for former Citigroup-er Jack Lew.
Given Citigroup's role in predatory lending and the global financial meltdown, some are asking how could a senior Citigroup official during the critical time from 2006 through 2008 be considered for Treasury Secretary?
Others counter-argue that Lew worked for Tip O'Neill, the Speaker of the House from Massachusetts, albeit in 1979.
Meanwhile, former Congressman from Massachusetts Barney Frank has let it be known he'd like to be appointed as temporary fill-in Senator for John Kerry, nominated instead of Susan Rice to replace Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State.
One wag suggested, if MoveOn is proposing Paul Krugman to replace (non) tax man Timothy Geithner as Treasury Secretary, why not Barney Frank? Why not Daniel Tarullo?
Lower down the financial food chain, the name of Nicholas Retsinas has been floated for FHFA. And in anti-Freedom of Information Act news, now that Lisa Jackson who created fake e-mail accounts to evade FOIA has stepped down, should compliance with Government in the Sunshine laws be a criteria for the Environmental Protection Agency and all other top appointments?
On Chuck Hagel's nomination as Defense Secretary, now Elliot Abrams has been disavowed by his current employer, the Council on Foreign Relations (whose chief, Robert Haas, makes $800,000 a year, it has emerged).
It's John Brennan's nomination for CIA Director that may face most opposition, on what are diplomatically called enhanced or "unique" interrogation techniques and rendition. Watch this site.
