Tim Geithner Doesn't Deserve a Free Pass

I was talking with a conservative friend yesterday, and he started getting on my case about Tim Geithner (pictured here, posing for Tiger Beat) getting a free pass for his tax woes. That reminded me that I had been remiss in my duties where Geithner was concerned. When I first reported on the story, I was only offering brass tacks analysis of how it would affect his nomination as Treasury Secretary (not at all, I think). To be fair, I was pressed for time and in a bad mood. I was out of tea and the cafeteria was closed.

I don't think that Geithner's tax issues will scuttle his nomination, because aside from the GOP's need to keep their powder dry on all of Obama's picks, I'm positive the Republicans don't want to be left holding the bag for each and every thing Geithner's replacement would do.

I do think that it's more than a bit absurd that this is being passed off as meaningless. Most people can be forgiven an innocent mistake on their taxes, but this guy is going to be the Treasury Secretary. Even with impeccable credentials, especially with impeccable credentials, there ought to be widespread mockery.

Here. Geithner's supposed to be some financial whiz, and he can't even outdo Turbotax? What if that had happened to, say, Joe the Plumber? What if he had turned out not to even be a plumber?

This is why Barack Obama needs to hire a joke writer. A couple of good zingers in his statement would've put this whole thing to bed. Make him wear a Dodgers hat to his confirmation, or something.

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