Summers May Be Off Short List for Treasury

Picking Larry Summers to run the Treasury might be too provocative. Politico reports that the swelling backlash among women's groups—over his notorious comments at Harvard about women’s abilities in math and science—is seriously sinking his chances. Even a Senate confirmation could be dicey. “While it wouldn’t be a fatal blow for a nomination, it would sure make it uncomfortable,” says a former Treasury official.

It can’t help Summers’ chances that Barack Obama and progressive women’s groups still have a touchy relationship over his primary fight with Hillary Clinton. If Summers is out, the front-runner is probably his former deputy, New York Federal Reserve Chairman Timothy Geithner. NOW's president says the group hasn't campaigned against Summers, but adds, "We will let them know about people they should be looking at.”