Yesterday, the ever-smug Princetonians patted themselves on the back after President-elect Barack Obama announced that two of their own would be joining his administration, and soon, Dartmouth is hoping to do the same.

According to several reports, Timothy Geithner ’83 has appeared at the top of Obama’s short list of Treasury secretary candidates, and the Dartmouth community is waiting with bated breath for the final announcement, which is expected at some point today.

The Dartmouth reports:

Geithner, who is currently the president of the New York Federal Reserve, has been a key player in attempts to resolve the financial crisis and has a close working relationship with Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke and current Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson ‘68. The short-list also includes Lawrence Summers, who served as Treasury secretary for the Clinton administration and has advised Obama over the past several months.

 

[…] Geithner, who double majored in government and Asian studies at Dartmouth, has a track record of dealing with financial crises since his early days at the Treasury Department. As undersecretary for international affairs, he managed much of the Treasury’s involvement in the Asian financial crises during his tenure.

 

[…] Geithner’s role in managing Wall Street’s rescues and failures, though probably his greatest asset, may also dampen support for his appointment in the eyes of some observers.

And just like that, all the hopes and dreams of the Dartmouth community fade into the night.

But seriously, Obama, heed my advice: Pick Geithner.

The last thing you want is for people to accuse you of Ivy favoritism. So, stop filling Cabinet seats with overrated Princeton and Dartmouth alumni!