Paulson is getting help in his efforts to block oversight of his bailout activities, from an anonymous Republican Senator. TPM Muckraker is asking for help in "outing" this Senator: (emphasis mine)
"...Last week we noticed that at least one unnamed Republican senator has put a hold on the nomination of Neil Barofsky as the Treasury's Department's special inspector general for the bailout...
"This is a crucial post for ensuring that the department spends its $700 billion wisely and without favor -- all the more so because Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, and the man running the bailout, Neel Kashkari, are both former executives at Goldman Sachs, which has already received $10 billion from Treasury. And no one has seriously questioned Barofsky's personal fitness for the job."
"Senators have the right to anonymously put a hold on any nomination to a federal post for any reason whatsoever. But given what's at stake here, it's worth trying to find out who's responsible for the hold, and why. We've put in a call to Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell's office. But we could use your help too..."
Senator Dodd issued a statement that the nomination had cleared the Senate Banking Committee as well as the Leadership of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committees, as well as
"...all Democratic Senators. However, the nomination was blocked on the floor by at least one Republican member..."
TPM is asking that readers help identifying the Republican Senator who is holding up Barofsky’s nomination and asking him/her why they are doing so. They ask that people living in states that have Republican Senators call their Senator’s office and ask if the Senator is the one who put a hold on the nomination, and if so, ask them for an explanation.
If you think that Paulson and Kashkari need someone watching over their shoulder, and want to help throw a little sunshine and transparency on the person, or persons who are impeding that oversight, you can help by calling those Republican Senators and then:
"...email us (talk@talkingpointsmemo.com) and let us know what you find out -- even if it's a 'no' or an inconclusive answer. If nothing else, your information can help us narrow down the list..."