The darkly comic part of this is that there’s probably no bigger liberal interventionist in the executive branch than Susan Rice. We may not have had a US consulate in Benghazi, Libya, and by association a ruler other than Moammar Gadhafi, if it wasn’t for Susan Rice and her foreign policy perspective winning the day in 2011.

The White House, in announcing the departure of Mary Schapiro as Chairwoman of the SEC, also took the unusual step of “designating” her replacement – a way to fill the vacancy at the top of the commission without confirmation in the Senate. Elisse Walter, a current commissioner, will replace Schapiro.

Let’s briefly recap Congress’ busy day yesterday, as they head out for a two-week recess (Spring Break ’12 Cancun?).

[Editor's Note: Watch this hearing live]

I love how Cordray is a “controversial” nominee. Why? Because Republicans don’t think there should be a CFPB? How exactly does that make Cordray controversial?