WASHINGTON, March 24 (Reuters) - The U.S. Treasury Department's top candidate to run the government's marquis bailout program has declined, The Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday, as staffing woes bedevil a U.S. economic rescue.
Frank Brosens, manager of the Taconic Partners hedge fund, was a top contender to run the Treasury's Troubled Asset Relief Program, the paper reported online.
Herb Allison, the government-appointed overseer for Fannie Mae, is still a contender, the paper reported.
Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner has not easily filled key posts since he assumed office in February, and his office has been understaffed through recent weeks.
On Monday, President Barack Obama moved to fill the leadership vacuum and tapped former Treasury official Neal S. Wolin as Geithner's No. 2 and former White House aide Lael Brainard for the top international job.
Obama also announced that Stuart Levey would stay on as Treasury undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, a position he has held since 2004.
Wolin and Brainard must be confirmed by the Senate. Levey does not require reconfirmation to stay. If the Senate approves Wolin and Brainard, the only remaining vacant undersecretary position would be for domestic finance, the administration's ambassador to Wall Street.
(Reporting by Patrick Rucker; Editing by Leslie Adler) Keywords: FINANCIAL/TREASURY TARP (patrick.rucker@thomsonreuters.com; Tel: +1-202-310-5474; Reuters Messaging: patrick.rucker.reuters.com@reuters.net) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2009. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.
Frank Brosens, manager of the Taconic Partners hedge fund, was a top contender to run the Treasury's Troubled Asset Relief Program, the paper reported online.
Herb Allison, the government-appointed overseer for Fannie Mae, is still a contender, the paper reported.
Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner has not easily filled key posts since he assumed office in February, and his office has been understaffed through recent weeks.
On Monday, President Barack Obama moved to fill the leadership vacuum and tapped former Treasury official Neal S. Wolin as Geithner's No. 2 and former White House aide Lael Brainard for the top international job.
Obama also announced that Stuart Levey would stay on as Treasury undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, a position he has held since 2004.
Wolin and Brainard must be confirmed by the Senate. Levey does not require reconfirmation to stay. If the Senate approves Wolin and Brainard, the only remaining vacant undersecretary position would be for domestic finance, the administration's ambassador to Wall Street.
(Reporting by Patrick Rucker; Editing by Leslie Adler) Keywords: FINANCIAL/TREASURY TARP (patrick.rucker@thomsonreuters.com; Tel: +1-202-310-5474; Reuters Messaging: patrick.rucker.reuters.com@reuters.net) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2009. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.