Obama Team Scrambles to Save Geithner

PR blitz tackles nominee's tax, immigration issues

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Jan 14, 2009 1:50 AM CST

(Newser) – Barack Obama's transition team distributed talking points defending Timothy Geithner within minutes of emerging news on the Treasury nominee's tax and immigration issues, Politico reports. The PR push stressed that Geithner had paid off all his back taxes and that his former housekeeper's legal status did not lapse until the last three months of her employment.

Democrats on the Senate Finance Committee closed ranks behind Geither after a meeting. They said they had been made aware of his mistakes weeks ago and didn't believe they were enough to disqualify him—especially in light of the urgent need to have somebody in place immediately to tackle the economic crisis. The ranking Republican on the committee has privately questioned whether the issues should derail the nomination, but has refused to comment publicly.

[Images (3)]

[Quotes (2)]

Treasury Secretary-designate Timothy Geithner listens as President-elect Barack Obama speaks during a news conference in Chicago last year. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak )

President-elect Barack Obama, flanked by Treasury Secretary-designate Timothy Geithner announces his economic team during a November news conference in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

Senate Finance Committee members released a report explaining how Geithner could have mistakenly underpaid $42,000 in taxes due to his complex employment arrangement with the IMF. (AP Photo/CP, Ian Barrett, File)

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Tim came to the committee, admitted he had made some mistakes and was very contrite. In my opinion, these mistakes were not at all disqualifying.
- Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), a member of the Senate Finance Committee

The president-elect chose Tim Geithner to be his treasury secretary because he’s the right person to help lead our economic recovery during these challenging times.
- Incoming White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs

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Obama Team Scrambles to Save Geithner