Conflict? What Conflict?

Bad news for those hoping to see meaningful and sensible regulatory reform in Moneyland.  It turns out that yet another high-ranking politician responsible for our monetary and fiscal policy is out for you-know-who.

Following in the illustrious footsteps of Countrywide VIP Chris Dodd and Barney “Homeownership for the Homeless” Frank, Senator Max Baucus, Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, now has some splainin’ to do.

Baucus, a Democrat, is the senator from the Financial Capital of the World – Montana.

From the Wall Street Journal:

Sen. Max Baucus, one of the most powerful members of Congress and a key figure in the health overhaul debate, recommended his girlfriend to serve as the U.S. attorney for his home state of Montana, a Baucus spokesman said Saturday.

That’s not the punchline, this is:  Her name is Melodee, like from the cartoon Josie and the Pussycats.  I think Melodee was the drummer.

Anyway, if nominating his girlfriend Melodee for US Attorney was even a remotely palatable compromise, what hope can we really have for the Senate Finance Committee in terms of serious oversight?

Sources:

Baucus Nominated Girlfriend for US Attorney (WSJ)