blackrock c.e.o. larry fink and evercore partners founder roger altman are also reported to be possible candidates. the president could decide to have lew lead budget talks from the white house, while picking someone for treasury who could handle a different sort of crisis. >> if the markets get nervous or if something else happens somewhere else around the world, pick a country at random, greece, you could need somebody in the treasury department who has very strong credentials with the financial markets. >> reporter: only the president knows for sure who will take over at treasury, but one thing is clear: the next secretary will have an important role. >> the new treasury secretary is going to be doing a real balancing act. obviously, getting the budget on a sustainable path is a huge part of the president's second- term agenda and that falls right to the treasury secretary. but also, there are lots of ways to get there. >> reporter: on wall street, some hope erskine bowles, the co-chair the so-call