Isn’t putting a Treasury department together kind of important? First Read here.

Two more top Treasury nominees withdrew their names from consideration yesterday. CNBC reports that the department does not have a single nominated official in place other than Geithner. CNN’s Dr. Sanjay Gupta also bowed out of contention for Surgeon General because he’d have to take a pay cut. On Monday, we get to see a brand-new nominee tax problem, as Obama’s pick for U.S. Trade Rep., Ron Kirk, begins his confirmation process. The Huffington Post posited yesterday that a big reason for the shortfall is Obama’s hard line on lobbyists, which reduces the talent pool. In a period with so many far-reaching problems, this is starting to become a real problem. This was shaping up to be the fastest-created administration in history. Now it’s looking more like molasses. Is it, as NBC’s David Gregory raised on TODAY, a question of confidence? Treasury has an extra layer of vetting problems. Some of the best talent for these posts come from some bailed-out banks and financial-service companies. One of the withdrawals yesterday had a potentially embarrassing regulatory record during her stint at the SEC. (Madoff anyone?)