Leaders of both the Republican and Democratic parties are nearing their decisions on the roster of people who will sit on the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission. According to Reuters there are some familiar names floating around. "A short list of names has emerged that includes former Republican presidential candidate Fred Thompson; former Democratic head of the Commodities Futures Trading Commission Brooksley Born; and Alex Pollock, a fellow at the conservative think tank American Enterprise Institute, according to a source familiar with the matter."

[O]ther possible appointees include Bill Thomas, former Republican chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee; Jake Garn, former Republican senator; and Bob Graham, the former Democratic senator and Florida governor.

There are some serious names on the list, but also some baggage. Fred Thompson, for instance, is now viewed as an extremely political figure. Additionally, there aren't any famous, trusted brands (Elizabeth Warren, for instance) or people associated with consumer protection, an issue House Speaker Nancy Pelosi hopes the commission will bring to light.