Two top contenders for senior posts at the U.S. Treasury have withdrawn, people familiar with the moves said on Thursday, dealing a blow to Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner's efforts to build his staff to fight the financial crisis.
Former Securities and Exchange Commissioner Annette Nazareth withdrew from consideration to become deputy Treasury secretary for personal reasons to remain in her private securities law practice, one of the sources said.
"She also had to see a man about a dog", stated the source.
Caroline Atkinson, Geithner's choice for international affairs undersecretary, also has withdrawn. Atkinson, a senior official at the International Monetary Fund, has decided to remain at the institution, a person familiar with the decision said.
"This hurts me more than it does you", stated Atkinson
Both Nazareth and Atkinson had been vetted for the jobs but were not formally nominated for U.S. Senate confirmation.
"Asked to serve in Barack's cabinet is the death notice for us tax dodgers", stated one congressman off record.
"Doesn't ANYONE pay their taxes anymore?" asked the Treasury Secretary.
