In the party’s first organized attempt to embarrass President Obama, Senate Republicans voted in unexpectedly heavy numbers against Timothy Geithner for Treasury secretary on Monday night, even though he was easily confirmed.
The vote was 60-34, with 30 Republicans opposed. Geithner was quickly sworn in Monday night at the Treasury Department, where President Obama praised his new secretary.
“At this moment of challenge and crisis, Tim’s work and the work of the entire Treasury Department must begin at once,” Obama said. “We cannot lose a day because every day the economic picture is darkening here and across the globe.”
But the nomination vote gave conservatives an opportunity to rail against Geithner, as conservative talk radio rallied a flood of calls to Capitol Hill on Monday opposing his nomination. A majority of Senate Republicans heeded those calls, making it clear that Geithner may have a credibility gap with the GOP.
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Rush Limbaugh said earlier this month: “Timothy Geithner. I can't let this go. He's the Treasury secretary nominee, and he didn't pay taxes. … This is the drive-by [mainstream media] sentiment: … Geithner is a genius — he's going to save the economy of the entire world. So what if he doesn't pay his taxes? These are serious times. We need the man! “
Geithner was dogged throughout the confirmation process by his failure to pay more than $34,000 in Social Security and Medicare taxes from 2001 to 2004. He’s since paid $42,704 in back taxes and interest for the four years.
“These were careless mistakes, they were avoidable mistakes, but they were unintentional,” Geithner told the Senate Finance Committee, which considered his nomination. “I want to apologize to the committee for putting you in the position of having to spend so much time on these issues.”
Senate offices from both parties said they had received a swarm of calls opposing Geithner.
One heartland Republican senator who voted against Geithner got several hundred calls of opposition to the nomination, and not a single one in favor.
Republicans voting “nay” included four of the party’s Senate leaders — Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.), Minority Whip Jon Kyl (Ariz.), Conference Chair Lamar Alexander (Tenn.). and Conference Vice Chair John Thune (S.D.).
McConnell said in a statement: “I have heard from Kentuckians over the last several days on the nomination of Timothy Geithner, and, I want to reassure them that I heard their concerns. While it is the prerogative of the President to choose his cabinet, I can’t, in good conscience, vote to confirm Mr. Geithner given the questions that still remain following his committee hearing.”
Sen. John McCain (Ariz.) also voted against Geithner.
Two GOP leaders — Sen. John Cornyn (Tex.), chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, and Senate Republican Policy Committee Chairman John Ensign of Nevada — voted “yea.”
The non-Republicans who were opposed were Independent Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Democrats Tom Harkin of Iowa, Robert Byrd of West Virginia and Russ Feingold of Wisconsin.
But Democrats for the most part unified behind the nominee, hoping his personal tax controversy would fade as he takes control of the economic agenda.
“This powerful economic storm demands strong, decisive and wise leadership,” said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.). “No one is more qualified or prepared for the task than Tim Geithner.”
Not voting were Republican Kit Bond of Missouri and Democrats Sherrod Brown of Ohio, Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts and Ron Wyden of Oregon.
Complete Original Article from Politico
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