'Demand Accountability' from Citi: Podesta

The government should “demand accountability” from Citigroup in return for bailout funding, Barack Obama’s transition team leader says. “If we’re going to have one rule, we ought to apply it to all of the financial institutions that we’re taking a look at,” John Podesta said in a Bloomberg interview. Lawmakers asked automakers for a plan and management changes before giving them money—a request they didn’t make of Citigroup.

Podesta said Obama would have “virtually the whole Cabinet” ready by Christmas, and that the administration would include “multiple Republicans" who will be "spread throughout the administration.” He also defended attorney general candidate Eric Holder, calling his support for Bill Clinton's pardon of fugitive financier Marc Rich—which Podesta opposed—a "mistake.”
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