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Delay for Geithner hearing

Posted by Foon Rhee, deputy national political editor January 14, 2009 02:41 PM

The fast-track hearing and quick confirmation for Timothy Geithner, President-elect Barack Obama's pick for treasury secretary, is off the rails because of Geithner's tax troubles.

The Associated Press is reporting that Republicans are blocking the plans of Democrats on the Senate Finance Committee to hold the hearing on Friday.

An aide close to the confirmation process says that Senator Jon Kyl of Arizona, the No. 2 Republican on the committee, has objected to the quick hearing, the AP says, and if the GOP refuses to drop its objection, Geithner won't be confirmed until after Obama is sworn in as president on Tuesday.

UPDATE: The AP is now reporting that the hearing has been scheduled for Wednesday, the day after Obama's inauguration.

The committee's chairman, Senator Max Baucus of Montana, told reporters that Geithner's nomination would survive the current controversy. Asked if Geithner would ultimately be confirmed, Baucus replied, "Yes, clearly."

While Democrats and Obama aides are portraying the $34,000 in self-employment taxes that were paid late as a minor mistake, some Republicans are withholding judgment, noting the irony or hypocrisy that Geithner, if confirmed, would have the Internal Revenue Service under his purview.

UPDATE: Obama told reporters today that the tax issue resulted from "innocent mistakes."

"My expectation is that Timothy Geithner will be confirmed," he said.

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How can he head theTreasury and IRS when he has been avoiding to pay his taxes for so long.
He adjusted only after been considered for the Treasury Secretary despite all the money he has been making.
It is that kind of greed that put this nation's prospering economy into such a mess. What we need is people with ethics and dignity to return the confidence to the investors and take us out of this deep ditch we fell into.

Posted by Alan King January 14, 09 11:44 AM
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This is NOT a minor mistake. It shows either complete ignorance or greed/dishonesty and should automatically disqualify Geithner. What kind of credibility can have if he is too ignorant or too dishonest to manage his own? I am a strong, long-time Obama supporter, but this does not fly. We are tired of the wealthy and well-connected playing by their own greedy and dishonest set of rules. What kind of example does this set?????

Posted by cmnsns January 14, 09 12:38 PM
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the president has the right to appoint any one he wants.he won republicans lost,the majority have spoken!

Posted by john q public January 14, 09 05:44 PM
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John Q is probably the dumbest, most ignorant life form to post on this website. Ever.
Why is it OK to appoint someone guilty of tax evasion? I don't see how corruption followed by more empty promises followed by more spending is Change and Hope we can Believe in.
This is YOUR fault America. You believed what you wanted to hear, but failed to realize that at the end of the day, Obama makes a living being a politician.

Posted by Chuck January 14, 09 09:38 PM
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Barack Obama wants him, so he will be appointed.
The "Change we can believe in?"
I'll believe what I see and its not the same as I was promised.

I would like the "preaching" from the White House to end.
Its an insult to my intelligence when you overlook tax evasion for all to see because it serves your purpose. Disappointing but not surprising.

Posted by Colin January 24, 09 06:00 PM
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Barack Obama wants him, so he will be appointed.
The "Change we can believe in?"
I'll believe what I see and its not the same as I was promised.

I would like the "preaching" from the White House to end.
Its an insult to my intelligence when you overlook tax evasion for all to see because it serves your purpose. Disappointing but not surprising.

Posted by Colin January 24, 09 06:32 PM
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