Author: Kevin Connor

Specter switches parties, potentially giving Democrats 60 votes in Senate. (NYT) Economy shrinks at higher-than-expected 6.1% pace in first quarter according to Commerce. (AP) Pandit asked Geithner for special approval

Under new GM plan, US to take majority stake in much smaller company. (FT) 100 protesters, including Representatives Edwards, Ellison, Lewis, McGovern, Woolsey arrested at Sudan demonstration. (WaPo) Regulators tell

Geithner‘s ties to captains of finance scrutinized by Times. (NYT) Swine flu spurs Obama to declare public health emergency. (WSJ) Fed study concludes ideal interest rate is -5%. (FT) UAW

BofA chief testifies that Bernanke and Paulson told him to stay mum on Merrill deal. (WSJ) Senate report: Rice and Cheney approved waterboarding in summer 2002. (CNN) Frank puts brakes

Rumsfeld approved harsh interrogation tactics used at Guantanamo and Abu Ghraib, according to Senate committee report to be released today. (NYT) Rattner‘s Quadrangle employed son of Senator from New Mexico;

Pelosi donor used as leverage in AIPAC–Harman negotiation identified as Forbes 400 member Haim Saban. (NYT) Bailout watchdog says Chrysler turned down government loan because of executive pay limits. (WaPo)

NSA wiretap recorded Rep. Harman agreeing to quid pro quo with Israeli agent. (CQ Politics via TPM) White House and Treasury officials now favoring stabilizing banks by converting loans to

Domestic eavesdropping program at NSA exceeded limits set by Congress. (NYT) Law firm to rake in record $55 million quarterly fee for Lehman bankruptcy. (WSJ) JPMorgan becomes latest bank to

Treasury planning to reveal data on conditions of big banks. (NYT) FDIC backing for debt amounts to massive subsidy for Goldman Sachs, Bank of America, JP Morgan, and other banks.

Goldman turns profit and plans to use share sale to return taxpayer money. (NYT) Former Fannie CEO chosen to replace Kashkari as head TARP. (WSJ) Minnesota court rules in favor