Lights out for Greenspan

It was lights out for Alan Greenspan on Wednesday, literally. 

While testifying today on Capitol Hill the power went out and stayed out for 23 minutes, toward the end of the former Fed chairman's testimony on the financial crisis. Greenspan began the first of three days of hearings by the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission. 

Staffers opened curtains behind the dais, trying to shed some light on the proceedings. But Greenspan found it difficult to hear without power to the room's microphones so he shrugged, waved and made his exit. 

Greenspan tried to answer a question from panel chairman Phil Angelides before making giving up and leaving. 

"I just want to say, Mr. Greenspan, you gave a lights-out performance," Angelides said.

Cross-posted to the Briefing Room