Comments on: Elizabeth Garrett Says No To Top Tax Job

By: Darrell

Darrell — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 20:27:52 +0000

I attended the University of Oklahoma with Beth Garret. I had the pleasure (displasure at that time) of taking a class with her: American Renaissance Literature. I always viewed her as a conservative, myopic sorority girl (I believe Chi Omeega) during our time at OU. She was deeply involved in Student Congress in a leadership capacity. She was also a great public speaker, with such clear and distinct diction. Because of my opinion of her, I never initiated any dialogue with her, not even a “hello,” even when we sat next to each other on one occasion in class. I must say, in retrospect, she was quite impressive then, and is even more impressive in her accomplishments now, Most recently, she was appointed the Provost at USC. I would not be surprised is she takes over the helm as president of OU once Boren leaves. If not that, don’t be surprised if her name comes up as apotential nominee for the U.S. Supreme Court.

By: Thomas

Thomas — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 22:39:09 +0000

Beth Garrett is one of the brightest people I know. I have had the extreme honor and pleasure of working with her at USC. This is a sad day for our country, because she truly is someone we could have looked to and respected in the Treasury. I guess the good news – she will be coming back to USC. Loss for the US is definetely our gain!

By: david gibson

david gibson — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 23:27:15 +0000

Beth Garrett is brave and brilliant–If she says she’s reconsidering because of aspects of her personal family situation, I take her at her word. She has the mettle, and the creativity…

By: Joey Brannon

Joey Brannon — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 16:28:33 +0000

Here’s my honest take. If Garrett is taking a pass because it’s going to be a hard, uncomfortable and unsavory confirmation process then she’s not the person for the job. It seems that during the last seven months the rules of politics and public service have been re-written. Nothing is supposed to be questioned, debated, or undressed in the public square. Bi-partisanship is the only acceptable form of public discourse.

What? Partisanship is what makes a republic work. Tough confirmation hearings (are you listening SCOTUS nominees?) insure the best, brightest and hopefully most trustworthy individuals are appointed. As the saying goes, if you can’t take the heat, stay out of the kitchen. Garrett doesn’t appear to have the mettle to make a difference in such an important position and it’s better to find that out before she sits down behind the tax policy desk.

By: garagefather

garagefather — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 14:47:28 +0000

If she hasn’t avoided paying her taxes in some way, she does not qualify to be in the Obama administration. He usually prefers tax cheats.

By: Joey Brannon

Joey Brannon — Fri, 29 May 2009 20:40:52 +0000

But on the bright side if she DID decide to throw her hat in the ring she need not worry about any prior personal tax snafus. The requirement to have a clean compliance record appears to have been temporarily suspended by the Obama administration and the Senate. Confirmation may be grueling, but if the Treasury Secretary can get the job with a set of facts that sends others to jail it’s hard to imagine what it takes to NOT get confirmed.