Backroom Geithner chatter.

• Position: Off The News

One of the favorite pastimes among International Monetary Fund officials recently is a discussion of the various explanations offered by former Treasury Undersecretary Timothy Geithner for his decision to accept the post of Director of the Policy Development and Review Department at the Fund, after failing to secure the No. 2 position of First Deputy Managing Director, formerly held by economist Stanley Fischer.

Some IMF officials cite Geithner's explanation that he would "never, ever" accept a private sector position in the financial markets. Yet others, when comparing notes, say that Geithner had actually expressed a desire for private sector employment. Some of the more mean-spirited long-time IMF hands suggest...