Peter Orszag hired by Citibank.

[JDPriestly]

Citigroup Inc named U.S. President Barack Obama's former budget director as a senior global banking adviser on Thursday, strengthening its ties to high-profile former officials the same week the bailed-out bank finished shrugging off U.S. government ownership.

Peter Orszag, currently a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, is Citigroup's second hire of a former senior government official this month. Last week the bank hired Carlos Gutierrez, former Commerce Secretary under President George W. Bush, as a vice chairman for its institutional clients group.

Orszag, who had worked as director of the Office of Management and Budget under President Obama, left the White House in July. He was one of the president's most prominent advisers and remains well-connected in U.S. political circles.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/12/10/ciitgroup-hires-peter-ors_n_794880.html

My question: To what extent was Peter Orszag's advice to President Obama or to what extent could it have been motivated or influenced by his need or desire to get a really well paid job after leaving the White House?

Just asking.

Obama put some kind of limitation on members of his administration with regard to their employment. Why didn't he tell them to pledge they would not take jobs like this one at Citibank so soon after leaving government service?

I am not accusing Orszag of any dishonest behavior. I feel certain that, in so far as I know, his conduct was and is above reproach.

But there is a bit of an appearance of impropriety when a person holds a top government job, gets access to very important people like the president of the US and then moves into private industry. Remember, he also had access to sensitive information about Obama's future plans and about our economy and foreign policy that could be of great value to a private employer.

Citibank is partly owned by international interests.

Now compare this to the Wikileaks.

[somone]

1. There ya go

[Bozita]

2. That photo certainly captures my sentiments!

[femrap]

4. That is my all time

favorite protest sign!!!!!

As far as those int'l interests....that snotty little Prince of Saudi Arabia owns shitloads of Citibank's stock.

I watched an interview of him once....he was at his horse stables and all gussied up in his 'horsey' outfit. His level of arrogance was something I have never witnessed in my life.

I really felt like :puke: as I watched him.

I immediately closed by Citicorp credit card. They put up quite a fight. I told the supervisor of the video I watched and how disgusted I was....he said, 'OK, I get it.'

[chill_wind]

3. Citibank! Ahhaaha. The thick irony never ends.

[bullwinkle428]

5. Wow, his OMB chair is probably still warm!

[gratuitous]

6. Well, that's good news

I hope Mr. Orszag never had to worry about his unemployment benefits running out. That can really stress a person out.

[xchrom]

7. Infuriating. Nt

[notesdev]

8. Payoffs and insider dealings continue

My question: To what extent was Peter Orszag's advice to President Obama or to what extent could it have been motivated or influenced by his need or desire to get a really well paid job after leaving the White House?

My guess: overwhelmingly

That is how Wall St. and DC operate. You scratch my back, I scratch yours, and the peons can go suck dirt.