Curmudgeon's Corner
cur-mud-geon: anyone who hates hypocrisy and pretense and has the temerity to say so; anyone with the habit of pointing out unpleasant facts in an engaging and humorous manner
Deer In The Headlights?
Is it just me, or does Timothy Geithner personify the phrase, "Deer in the Headlights"?
He has struck me that way since he was nominated for the Treasury Secretary position by President Obama. As he approaches the microphone, there is that boyish look of uncertainty that we typically do not equate to the power exuded by those in such a political position. He simply does not, so far as I can determine, display the aura of confidence one would expect from such a high ranking official...whether real or fabricated confidence.
The job is, in our current economic situation, a thankless one; it has all the trappings of a spot for a short-timer, and that seems possible given the attacks he received yesterday in testimony before a congressional committee; attacks from both parties. Is there anyone of any political persuasion who would've faired better than he? Maybe yes, and maybe no; but he does seem to be the poster boy for the quintessential "short career".
How long will it be before we see he and President Obama together as the announcement of his resignation is made? Will he prove to be the scapegoat for the perceived failures of the new Administration to get the economy righted quickly? Will the president step up to defend Geithner and to set Congress straight about what will and will not occur?
Has the country tired so rapidly of the bogus job recovery numbers and the squandered stimulus funds, that Congress senses the time is right for a political sacrifice? Will this spectacle be used to provide cover for the Senate's vote on health care that is scheduled for Saturday, of all days (following the lead of the House, apparently)? Will this all blow over given the twenty-four hour news cycle we live in today?
I don't know the answers to those hypotheticals, but I am comfortable that I have found the answer to the "Best performance as a deer in the headlights" award winner in public life today.
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