Hey, Barack: Get Tough Like Michelle

(NEWSER) - President Obama wants to put the so-called dark markets under control, the New York Times reports, seeking congressional approval to regulate the byzantine world of derivatives trading—which played a large role in the current financial mess. In a letter to lawmakers, Treasury chief Timothy Geithner calls for an oversight system to be run either by the Securities and Exchange Commission or the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. More»

Jamie Dimon not in tune with Obama, too invested in big banks

(NEWSER) - A report today that JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon has the inside track to replace Timothy Geithner as Treasury Secretary is getting mostly guffaws online, with even the conservative Wall Street Journal admitting that Dimon’s way too much an insider for the job just now. Indeed, chuckles Daniel Indiviglio , the New York Post story is “amusing” because, “for starters, Geithner isn’t going anywhere. Anyone who thinks he might be is nuts.” More»

Pundits offer wide-ranging report card

(NEWSER) - On President Obama’s 100th day in office, Mark Halperin of Time provides a White House report card:

• Barack Obama: A-. “Instantly comfortable and highly skilled at the hardest job in the world.”
• Joe Biden: A-: Operates "precisely in the manner he and Obama discussed before he accepted the position."
• Hillary Clinton: A-. “A significant, powerful, worldly, respected figure.”
• Tim Geithner: C-. “Still lacks constituency support where it counts.”
• Michelle Obama: A+. “Aced the traditional role of First Lady while simultaneously modernizing the office.”

(NEWSER) - All the hubbub around AIG and its bonuses is “a complete farce,” Larry Kudlow writes in the National Review. No one should be surprised that those in charge have “completely bungled” the situation. “The government shouldn’t run anything, because it cannot run anything,” Kudlow writes. And the Obama administration was “undoubtedly informed” about the bonuses months ago. More»

(NEWSER) - The AIG fury grows. The White House today found itself defending Treasury chief Tim Geithner's handling of the bonus mess as congressional anger rose. Under siege by reporters about why the Obama administration didn't act sooner, spokesman Robert Gibbs said the president retains full confidence in Geithner, the Los Angeles Times reports. Meanwhile, Chuck Schumer said at least nine senators were writing a letter to AIG chief Edward Liddy warning him to recover the money. More»