Geithner Stays on Message

EAMON JAVERS

One thing is clear from watching Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner's interview with ABC's Jake Tapper on "This Week" on Sunday: He wants Americans to remember just how bad the economy was in early 2009. And to take credit for the modest improvements since then. 

At least five times during the interview, Geithner referred to the disastrous economic free fall the administration inherited when it came to power in early '09.

Geithner's comments were peppered with remarks like these: 

"But remember where we were a year ago" 

"I mean, again, just think where we were. January of 2009, three-quarters of a million Americans losing their jobs." 

"Again, remember where we were in January of last year." 

"But again step back for a sec. In February and March of last year house prices were falling off the cliff." 

"Again remember we had a -- we were in a situation where people were no longer sure they could safely keep their money in the strongest American banks." 

Geithner's performance Sunday suggests that a Treasury secretary, who was once derided for his failures as a communicator, has spent some time learning the art of the Washington interview - stick to your talking points, no matter the question. 

It is the safe strategy for Geithner, who spent much of last week absorbing the wrath of lawmakers in both parties during Capitol Hill hearings. Members of Congress were alternately frustrated by the lack of progress on the economy and the enormous amount of deficit spending the administration has used to generate modest progress so far.