well, this is completely insane. it's the great depression, and Obama's treasury sec'y hasn't even filled his staff slots yet? and even if some nominations are tied up in the senate, that is under control of the dems as well.
maybe if the obama administration actually focussed on the economy, instead of attempting to implement every pet liberal program that has been hatched in the past 30 years, some of this mundane stuff would get taken care of.
Staffing Shortage Hinders Treasury's Progress
A shortage of staff at the Treasury Department is taking a toll on its ability to deal with a financial crisis that continues to deepen in scope and complexity, government and industry officials said.
Every key position within the Treasury, with the exception of Secretary Timothy F. Geithner, remains vacant or awaits confirmation.
The latest worry in the department concerns Lee Sachs, who was in line to be undersecretary for domestic finance or take a job of similar prominence at the Treasury requiring confirmation by the Senate. Sachs is now contemplating withdrawing from consideration, two sources familiar with the matter said. The reasons remain unclear. Sachs did not respond to requests for comment.
Sachs, who served in the Clinton administration as assistant Treasury secretary for financial markets, is now one of the core members of Geithner's team. Shortly after the presidential election, Sachs emerged as the transition team's key contact at the Treasury and has since been a counselor to Geithner, a position he could retain without Senate confirmation.
But some additional help for the Treasury is on the way. Lael Brainard, deputy national economic adviser under Clinton and who was set to take a post at the State Department, instead is expected to be nominated as undersecretary of the Treasury for international affairs, administration sources said yesterday.
Caroline Atkinson, a former World Bank official, had been the leading candidate for the Treasury job but withdrew from consideration recently.
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