Cabinet

Is Rahm Running the Treasury?

Meet America's backseat secretary.

Since President Obama appointed Timothy Geithner to run the Treasury Department, many have alleged that Larry Summers is the “shadow Secretary,” but does Rahm Emanuel deserve the distinction? The Wall Street Journal reports that “Since [Geithner’s appointment], White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel has been so involved in the workings of the Treasury that ‘Rahm wants it’ has become an unofficial mantra among some at the Treasury, according to government officials.” For the most part, the help has been appreciated, since Treasury is still understaffed, but “the White House also has pushed to announce programs before details were ready. Other times, the department has been left waiting for White House input -- even on such mundane matters as Web-site design.”