Obama's transition hits Cabinet snags

Washington: President-elect Barack Obama's smooth transition process hit a snag less than a week before his historic swearing-in as questions over his choice for treasury secretary delayed the confirmation hearing for that key post.

Obama's pick for attorney general also was expected to face aggressive questioning yesterday, as it became increasingly apparent that not all Cabinet choices would earn quick approval from Congress.

Obama had been hoping to have all his Cabinet members confirmed by Tuesday, or Inauguration Day, which would have allowed him to have a team up and running shortly after he takes office in the midst of an economic crisis and two wars.

Several have been well received, including former rival Hillary Rodham Clinton, who could be confirmed as secretary of state within hours of Obama's taking the oath of office on Tuesday. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee planned to vote on her selection yesterday.

But the transition toward Obama becoming the 44th US president hit an embarrassing bump on Tuesday when Treasury Secretary-designate Timothy Geithner owned up to failing to pay $34,000 (Dh125,000) in taxes from 2001 to 2004.

The oversight has been corrected, but Senators on Wednesday pushed back his confirmation hearings by at least a week.

And yesterday's Senate Judiciary Committee hearing for Eric Holder, Obama's choice for attorney general, promised to be the most contentious so far among Obama's Cabinet choices amid questions over some of his past decisions.

They include roles in awarding clemency to Puerto Rican separatist bombers and in Bill Clinton's controversial pardon of fugitive financier Marc Rich.

However, lawmakers have indicated they expect both men to be confirmed in the end.

Obama on Wednesday called the disclosure about Geithner's taxes embarrassing, but an innocent error.

"It is a mistake that is commonly made for people who are working internationally or for international institutions. It has been corrected. He paid the penalties," Obama said. "My expectation is that Tim Geithner will be confirmed."