McCain: Leave Geithner alone!
posted at 6:45 pm on March 20, 2009 by Allahpundit
I’m not unsympathetic to this position myself — or at least, I wasn’t before the timeline of when TurboTax Tim found out about those bonuses began to shudder and creak from all the movement.
Leave it to ol’ Mav to pick the very day we find out Geithner’s recovery plan will be another month late to hop aboard the bandwagon.
Tim Geithner, the embattled US Treasury secretary, should be given a chance to succeed, says John McCain, the former presidential candidate, who is the first prominent Republican to speak up in Mr Geithner’s defence amid growing calls for his resignation…
“Everyone acknowledges he needs help,” said Mr McCain, in reference to the Obama administration’s difficulty in recruiting nominees to the Treasury department, where Mr Geithner remains the only official to have been confirmed.
Here’s Gingrich on Cavuto this afternoon ticking off a few of Geithner’s other greatest hits and predicting that he’s finished. Exit question: Only a 15-20% chance that he’ll end up underneath Obama’s bus? Really?
Blowback
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I’m of two minds here.
Either this entire thing, including the emissary with the Republicans, is bout of pure genius political kung-fu on Obama’s part that we can’t begin to comprehend. He is masterfully working the social and political agenda world wide in order to reach some goal and some republicans, such as John McCain, are in on it.
Or Obama is a moron, MCcain is a moron, and Obama just happens to maybe be a worse moron as President who has surrounded himself with Morons.
I almost wish there was a Republican majority in Congress right now. I’m increasingly displeased with the majority of Dems
Magnus on March 20, 2009 at 7:19 PM
Is he getting advice from the chubby daughter now?
Knucklehead on March 20, 2009 at 7:20 PM
People would admit to that before the general…but now? I guess some people are too stupid to learn. If it makes you feel better to still think rino Mclame was the best in the field, then you are a rino too.
The Wall on March 20, 2009 at 7:20 PM
blatantblue on March 20, 2009 at 6:55 PM
I am going to find you and sign you up for my spay/neuter clinic!
catlady on March 20, 2009 at 7:20 PM
I am mostly just joshing on that particular half.
Mostly.
A Balrog of Morgoth on March 20, 2009 at 7:21 PM
Translation: pipe down youse guys ah’m werk’n a deal here.
Speakup on March 20, 2009 at 7:22 PM
TCM is showing Scarlet Pimpernel next Thursday, March 26th. PercyB, you’ve inspired me to watch it.
Terrie on March 20, 2009 at 7:22 PM
Too bad you didn’t get a hold of McCain……
HornetSting on March 20, 2009 at 7:22 PM
I never understand why McCain won the primaries. What was wrong with Mitt, Frank, and Huckabie?
Magnus on March 20, 2009 at 7:23 PM
FIFY.
Terrie on March 20, 2009 at 7:23 PM
You think the gangbang of 14 are getting together for a c-jerk this weekend?
HornetSting on March 20, 2009 at 7:23 PM
Us ‘tards gotta stick together!
TexasJew on March 20, 2009 at 7:23 PM
When spell check attacks…
Emissary = disarray
Magnus on March 20, 2009 at 7:24 PM
Almost? Hell, I would settle for 40 Republicans I can count on to back an occasional fillibuster.
I can accept the notion that elections have consequences, but does the dial have to go up to 11?
A Balrog of Morgoth on March 20, 2009 at 7:24 PM
Do you remember the sweep of your deeds
The sound of them strumming the sky?
But now when I listen, the melody’s changed
Your words only whisper goodbye
I don’t want to morn when I think of you
But now when you speak, I do
PercyB on March 20, 2009 at 7:24 PM
This is why McCain lost.
No guts – he lost them.
izoneguy on March 20, 2009 at 7:24 PM
The Wall on March 20, 2009 at 7:25 PM
This is ridiculous. WAKE UP!!! THE FEDERAL: RESERVE IS A PRIVATE INSTITUTION!!!!! THEY ARE ROBBING US BLIND!!!!!!
Geithner (who’s previous job was head of the FEDERAL RESERVE BANK OF NEW YORK) is aiding the largest robbery in American history and all you guys can argue about is the AIG bonuses? (I agree the bonuses are crazy but we have bigger problems. This is a distraction.) Trillions of dollars are being created out of thin air by the Federal Reserve(which will cause tremendous imflation) and being pumped right back into the banks. The banks are sitting on this money on purpose… So that stocks go way down and the banks consolidate buying competitors up for pennies on the dollar.. Then the money is eventually released in a wave, inflation kicks in and the values skyrocket and the dollar goes to hell….
This AIG money is goes to cover AIG’s insurance policies that they wrote (credit swaps)without having any kind of collateral to back them up… It is their fault and they should go bankrupt!!!!
Constitution1st on March 20, 2009 at 7:25 PM
The loser speaks.
Tim was right and they sued.
The maverick and Newt look ridiculous as usual.
getalife on March 20, 2009 at 7:25 PM
That’s like calling a Pork Chop a NY Strip.
HornetSting on March 20, 2009 at 7:25 PM
Just go away John. Please.
Scotsman on March 20, 2009 at 7:26 PM
I guess there are no overweight conservatives.
Magnus on March 20, 2009 at 7:26 PM
Wow…
As the Repubs continue to give the Dems cover….
McCain, this is EXACTLY why you lost the election… you give up the fight before its even joined.
But then again, McCain must support the status quo which he is so much a part of.
Romeo13 on March 20, 2009 at 7:26 PM
At least Arizona has a chance to oust this wart in 2010….
*NOTE-DON’T FEED THE TROLL OR HE WILL TAKE OVER THE THREAD!*
HornetSting on March 20, 2009 at 7:27 PM
Geithner will never leave. Obama will not ask him to and he will never resign.
It would constitute the Administration’s worst failure and this guy never admits he’s wrong.
Worse case scenario building for the economy and it’s all on Obama from here.
FireBlogger on March 20, 2009 at 7:27 PM
the gangbang of 14 is back to their original dance card….screwing the GOP…
sven10077 on March 20, 2009 at 7:29 PM
Sink me, that was the general idea.
PercyB on March 20, 2009 at 7:29 PM
BOTH PARTIES ARE IN ON THE HEIST!!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dmPchuXIXQ
Constitution1st on March 20, 2009 at 7:32 PM
Alienate fat people, check!
Alienate women, check!
Bet you were one of the first pounding the outrage button when Obama made fun of ‘retards’.
Little Timmy, is one of our guys. When it comes to Wall Street banking our guys and their guys are the same until you reach the fringes. Nave a few of ‘our’ guys you think would do better than ‘Timmy”.
Paulson?
barkolounger on March 20, 2009 at 7:33 PM
McCain please please retire. And take your fat ass daughter with you. What a friggin’ embarrassment you and your family has become.
Wade on March 20, 2009 at 7:35 PM
HornetSting, have you ever enjoyed a juicy ribeye or fine cut of prime rib? It’s the fat marbled throughout the meat that makes it so tender and flavorful.
Maybe you prefer a frenched rack of lamb with the meat scraped off and a frou frou paper crown.
Terrie on March 20, 2009 at 7:37 PM
I DON’T heart McCain.
HornetSting on March 20, 2009 at 7:37 PM
I don’t like meat.
HornetSting on March 20, 2009 at 7:38 PM
Whoever controls the volume of money in our country is absolute master of all industry and commerce and when you realize that the entire system is very easily controlled, one way or another, by a few powerful men at the top, you will not have to be told how periods of inflation and depression originate.
- James A. Garfield
MB4 on March 20, 2009 at 7:38 PM
Hey Geitner’s not doing nothing, check out the siren on Drudge…OT, my home state of Oregon has joined the above 10% unemployment club!
Johnson on March 20, 2009 at 7:40 PM
I’m not a fan of McCain or Geithner but McCain is right Geithner does need help and Obama has left him hanging. I blame Obama far more than I do Geithner for not doing his job by staffing Treasury. Right now I wouldn’t want Geithner’s job and I’m sure they may be having trouble finding qualified people that want to work there.
That said I do wish McCain would ride off into the Sedona sunset and stay there.
goat on March 20, 2009 at 7:41 PM
FIFY
The Wall on March 20, 2009 at 7:41 PM
Constitution1st on March 20, 2009 at 7:32 PM
Thanks but cons are here to spew silly attacks on our President.
Did you know that in the last ten years these bailed out institutions donated 8 billion to politicians?
Now, they are holding the economy hostage to get our money to pay for their greed.
getalife on March 20, 2009 at 7:41 PM
Obama secured their bonuses and pretended he didnt.
Live with it.
Chuck Schick on March 20, 2009 at 7:43 PM
thought the bad economy was “fixed”??
Dow 7,278.38 -122.42 (-1.65%)
NASDAQ 1,457.27 -26.21 (-1.77%)
S&P 768.54 -15.50 (-1.98%)
*change*
sven10077 on March 20, 2009 at 7:43 PM
That seems a little high. Politicians can be bought for a lot less than that.
MB4 on March 20, 2009 at 7:44 PM
Pwned!
Terrie on March 20, 2009 at 7:44 PM
One common sense suggestion to the powers that be. How about BEFORE we send Geithner to run the Bank of Guam; we divine Geithner’s replacement (and qualifications) FIRST. We are in a ticklish situation where we can’t afford to have 120 days of a confirmation battle which is sure to happen this time.
Dr. Dog on March 20, 2009 at 7:44 PM
sven10077 on March 20, 2009 at 7:43 PM
Your money saved it.
getalife on March 20, 2009 at 7:45 PM
“Contracts are for mortals not gods…”
Ogigula I Parompterus
sven10077 on March 20, 2009 at 7:45 PM
I would certainly hope not. My husband wouldn’t mind a threesome, but we like to live a wholesome life.
BTW, I’m a female.
HornetSting on March 20, 2009 at 7:46 PM
As Michelle said yesterday, you can almost feel sorry for Tiny Tim. Notice I emphasize the word almost. But as for Maverick Senator John, please STFU, go away and take your sardonically smiling family with you. I really can’t deal with you anymore.
Mr. Grump on March 20, 2009 at 7:46 PM
that the new meme?
you need a color code….
you do understand the socialists won’t “not eat you” at best they’ll eat you near the last
sven10077 on March 20, 2009 at 7:46 PM
See above post.
HornetSting on March 20, 2009 at 7:46 PM
Yep and Chris Dodd and Barack Obama are right at the top of the list of donations from AIG, Fannie and Freddie and Bernie Madoff.
goat on March 20, 2009 at 7:46 PM
My condolences to Mr. Sting. ; )
thomasaur on March 20, 2009 at 7:46 PM
Bob Anthony to McCain…
LEAVE AMERICA ALONE RINO GLOBALIST!
BobAnthony on March 20, 2009 at 7:47 PM
make sure you’re not emotionally attached to your version of Lindsey Graham or Olympia Snowe…..politics develop in whose leg lays on whom….
sven10077 on March 20, 2009 at 7:47 PM
MB4 on March 20, 2009 at 7:44 PM
Not really, when you look at the cost of winning a House or Senate seat.
This disaster is exposing a very corrupt system if folks bother to do some research.
Politicians will never fix it so who will?
getalife on March 20, 2009 at 7:48 PM
goat on March 20, 2009 at 7:46 PM
If that makes better but they all got their hand out to get reelected.
getalife on March 20, 2009 at 7:51 PM
SHUT UP, OLD MAN!
chunderroad on March 20, 2009 at 7:51 PM
My money’s on getalife. She just seems to know so gosh darn much.
Chuck Schick on March 20, 2009 at 7:51 PM
Thanks again for McCain-Feingold, you old buzzard.
chunderroad on March 20, 2009 at 7:52 PM
U.S. Central Federal Credit Union and Western Corporate Federal Credit Union both placed into conservatorship (nationalized). 57 billion dollars in assets. No big deal. Move along.
MB4 on March 20, 2009 at 7:52 PM
Smith, Wesson, and Colt if it comes down to it….
so now Ogabe is tanking things on purpose to expose the “broken system”….
our system ain’t broke some men are…
sven10077 on March 20, 2009 at 7:52 PM
You are a nasty bird.
….Don’t like meat, but she sure like the bone…..
No condolences needed, saur.
HornetSting on March 20, 2009 at 7:52 PM
Dr. Dog on March 20, 2009 at 7:44 PM
Sage advice.
barkolounger on March 20, 2009 at 7:52 PM
yup….
“nothing to see here”
next on Leno…Ogabe Dice Clay
sven10077 on March 20, 2009 at 7:53 PM
Surprise, surprise…
Perhaps Mr. Cap and Trade himself, should run for commerce secretary while he’s at it, in the interests of bi-partisanship.
Saltysam on March 20, 2009 at 7:54 PM
Are you hot? Pics?
The Wall on March 20, 2009 at 7:55 PM
Paul Keating, former Austrailian Prime Minister, gave an assessment of Timothy Geithners’ performance in the Asian crisis that is sharply at odds with US reports. According to Keating, Geither completely misread the nature of the crisis, that it was the result of hot money flight, but reverted to the standard IMF “country facing currency crisis” playbook, and made a bad situation worse.
And to compound matters, the mismanagement of the Asian crisis led China to decide to build up FX reserves so it would never have to go hat in hand to the IMF. In other words, the “savings glut” that Bernanke and other economists like to portray as a cause, if not the cause, of our current financial crisis, was in response to the misguided Asian crisis program.
- Naked Capitalism blog
MB4 on March 20, 2009 at 7:55 PM
“If the American people ever allow private banks
to control the issue of their money,
first by inflation and then by deflation,
the banks and corporations that will
grow up around them (around the banks),
will deprive the people of their property
until their children will wake up homeless
on the continent their fathers conquered.” – Thomas Jefferson
“The bold effort the present (central) bank had made to control the government … are but premonitions of the fate that await the American people should they be deluded into a perpetuation of this institution or the establishment of another like it.” – Andrew Jackson
Constitution1st on March 20, 2009 at 7:57 PM
What are you, fourteen?
HornetSting on March 20, 2009 at 7:58 PM
You don’t want pictures if you know what’s good for you.
You’ll never be able to concentrate whenever she’s in the room after that.
The name should clue you in…
Saltysam on March 20, 2009 at 8:01 PM
He will be next month.
Cheshire Cat on March 20, 2009 at 8:03 PM
Puberty does that.
He is like Joe the plumber.
getalife on March 20, 2009 at 8:05 PM
Why do I get the visual of: “puts the lotion on thy skin”
trs on March 20, 2009 at 8:05 PM
Sigh, you really need to have Begala write you some better talking points.
Criticizing a President for having absolutely no executive experience isn’t “silly”. Your side, on the othe rhand, spent 8 years criticizing Chimpy for how he pronounced the word “nuclear”. Now that is silly criticiam, especially since the worst President ever, Democrat Jimmy Carter, pronounces it the same way.
The politicians who got the most money were from your party. Including the 2004 and 2008 Democrat Presidential nominees.
Now tell us again how Enron “happened on Bush’s watch”.
Del Dolemonte on March 20, 2009 at 8:06 PM
Too bad Geithner isn’t a Republican. If he was, Maverick would be all over his ass.
BacaDog on March 20, 2009 at 8:07 PM
Both collapses happened on w’s watch.
Get over it.
getalife on March 20, 2009 at 8:08 PM
Well I don’t often defend McCain, on purpose, but… in a way he is saying don’t blame Geithner blame Obama.
I agree, this is absolutely Obama’s fault for thinking the job of President is about having lot’s of parties. Obama should have known if he didn’t.
Obama insisted that this stimulus was a good bill. Anything wrong with it is Obama’s fault.
petunia on March 20, 2009 at 8:08 PM
Just like 9/11 was all on Chimpy and every day of gain is Bambi’s and every fall BOOoSH….
yeah we get it…it is a bit “short bus” as your icon would likely say but we get your meme…
sven10077 on March 20, 2009 at 8:11 PM
Bush handled everything bad that happened on his watch so so so much better than anything Obama has done yet. Bush looks like a genius after just 60 days of Obama rule.
petunia on March 20, 2009 at 8:11 PM
Goldman Sachs, Welfare Queen
MB4 on March 20, 2009 at 8:12 PM
The worst enemy Obie-Wan Kenobi has is Tiny Tim. Yet Obama may retain this retard because no one else wants the job.
As for McCain, who is paying attention to Democrat-Lite?
MaiDee on March 20, 2009 at 8:13 PM
Yes, leave the dumb alone, focus on the ACTING president, he is the one trying to gin up the ignorants with hatred for capitalism.
tarpon on March 20, 2009 at 8:14 PM
Rising unemployment, lower stock values, lower home prices, humongous deficits, etc. are happening on Obama’s watch. Should we get over that too? I don’t think so.
MB4 on March 20, 2009 at 8:15 PM
Goldman Sachs, Welfare Queen
MB4 on March 20, 2009 at 8:12 PM
Yup. Paulson got his old company a great deal.
getalife on March 20, 2009 at 8:16 PM
With Obama’s hand picked man, Turbo Timmy, right by his side.
MB4 on March 20, 2009 at 8:17 PM
Part of the collapse.
getalife on March 20, 2009 at 8:21 PM
Thank you for your service Senator McCain. Now please shut up, collect your pension and follow General Powell out the door to the left…
phreshone on March 20, 2009 at 8:22 PM
You said we’re in the Obama recovery a week ago.
Chuck Schick on March 20, 2009 at 8:24 PM
so enron cooking the books for six years under Billy “not Clinton’s fault” but a problem 70+ years in the making “all W”….
“change”…
sven10077 on March 20, 2009 at 8:28 PM
Another reason Tim is staying.
BTW, McCain should just say Tim was right. It was a legal matter and now they sued.
getalife on March 20, 2009 at 8:28 PM
Bush snuck back in to the White House and hit the downturn button again….
Timmy TurboTax and Bambi are blameless…
sven10077 on March 20, 2009 at 8:29 PM
Recovery from the collapse.
getalife on March 20, 2009 at 8:29 PM
what school of economics did you come from?
Hanna-Barbera I’m guessing
sven10077 on March 20, 2009 at 8:30 PM
Another 6-700,000 more people applied for unemployment the past week.
Continuing unemployment claims are at a historic record.
Look up the word ‘recovery’.
Chuck Schick on March 20, 2009 at 8:34 PM
John McCain is schooling Barack Obama big time. Some of you people on this either can’t or just refuse to see the nuance of this whole thing.
Inside fighting is practiced with a scalpel not a bludgeon. It is about sophistication.
Jdripper on March 20, 2009 at 8:34 PM
I see the troll has taken over this thread. Told you, better check to make sure your dog and your gerbil are not with child.
HornetSting on March 20, 2009 at 8:35 PM
McCain is a stupid old man. I didn’t vote for him, I voted for Sarah.
cjs1943 on March 20, 2009 at 8:36 PM
FUCK MCCAIN! Let him go sit with the Democrats.
GarandFan on March 20, 2009 at 8:38 PM
What I hate most reading McCain’s silly accomadationist drivel is that I actually feel relief that I don’t have to spend four years defending him and holding his feet to a very hot fire.
Maquis on March 20, 2009 at 8:43 PM
Now that’s funny! : )
thomasaur on March 20, 2009 at 8:45 PM
Hey GarandFan, Allahpundit and others, despite Rush’s propaganda, McCain has about the best voting record right now as any Republican in Congress and is more vocal and visible than any other Republican in Congress in opposition to Obama’s bailout and budget bills. McCain voted AGAINST Geithner’s confirmation. McCain has voted AGAINST all bailouts and release of bailout funds except for original the Bush Administration TARP bailout, and only supported it because the Bush Administration was saying (through Paulson) that there would be complete financial collapse without that bailout.
I have a different take entirely on this point. McCain has been around for a long time, going back to when he wa a foot soldier in the Reagan Revolution. McCain sees Geithner as a flawed person who is going to be failing and, aware of Obama’s continued loyalty to Geithner, does not want to be seen as somehow not allowing Geithner to work through this situation. McCain also sees as most Americans as not quite ready to jump the Barack wagon and does not want to seem precipitous in declaring Obama Administation a failure. Meanwhile, McCain has been talking the gospel of financial responsibility. It was McCain who coined the absolutely applicable phrase “generational theft” as to Obama’s wildly irresponsible deficit spending.
So, don’t be calling McCain stupid. He just may be playing this thing right in terms of the American people. Focus your fire on Obama (as well as the likes of Spector and Snowe) and not on a fellow Republican in McCain who, I repeat, has the best voting record as any Republican.
Phil Byler on March 20, 2009 at 8:56 PM
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