Paul Krugman of the New York Times says the “Treasury takes its marching orders from White House political operatives.” Egads! But first some background: Treasury gave Tim Russert some tax-cut analysis to use in his interview of Democratic presidential hopeful Howard Dean this past June. The analysis turned Dean’s proposed tax-cut repeals into massive tax hikes (which they are). Was the Treasury playing politics? Is this a first for the hallowed department??! Not really, and no. The Treasury has always felt the influence of the neighboring White House. It was once the Clinton-era Treasury. And now it’s the Bush-era Treasury. And Paul Krugman is once again full of hot air (and lies, and distortions, and misquotations, and …). Thankfully, the Krugman Truth Squad is all over this one.