New Obama tax-evasion scandal: Tom Daschle; Update: Even more evasion!
posted at 8:10 pm on January 30, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
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So far, the incoming Barack Obama administration has given us a tax cheat/incompetent to run the IRS (Tim Geithner) and at least three lobbyists to regulate their industries (William Lynn, Mark Patterson, Neal Wolin). Now we’re back to tax evasion, and once again it’s a major Cabinet appointment:
ABC News has learned that the nomination of former Senator Majority Leader Tom Daschle, D-SD, to be President Obama’s Secretary of Health and Human Services has hit a traffic snarl on its way through the Senate Finance Committee.
The controversy deals with a car and driver lent to Mr. Daschle by a wealthy Democratic friend, a chauffer service the former Senator used for years without declaring their use on his taxes. …
Based in New York City, InterMedia Advisors is a private equity firm founded in part by longtime Daschle friend and Democratic fundraiser, Leo Hindery, the former president of the YES network (the Yankees’ and Devils’ broadcast network).
That same year he began his professional relationship with InterMedia 2005, Mr. Daschle began using the services of Hindery’s car and driver.
The Cadillac and driver were never part of Daschle’s official compensation package at InterMedia but Mr. Daschle — who as Senate Majority Leader enjoyed the use of a car and driver at taxpayer expense — didn’t declare their services on his income taxes, as tax laws require.
Daschle’s team claims that the former Senator deserves the credit for revealing the problem himself. Daschle did report this — but only after getting picked as HHS Secretary. If that sounds familiar, it’s because that’s when Geithner suddenly discovered that he owed Uncle Sam money too, only Daschle paid back a lot more: over $100,000.
How many more people will Obama nominate who either are too incompetent or too dishonest to declare all of their income and pay all of their taxes? Is this the new career track for tax cheats — a Cabinet office?
Update: Apparently, Daschle can’t even use the Geithner “I’m so stupid” excuse, as ABC also discovers that he flat-out failed to report direct income:
The report indicates that Daschle’s failure to pay more than $101,000 taxes on the car and driver a wealthy friend let him use from 2005 through 2007 is not the only tax issue the former Senate Majority Leader has been dealing with since his December nomination prompted a more thorough examination of his income tax returns.
Mr. Daschle also didn’t report $83,333 in consulting income in 2007.
Plus, Daschle claimed almost $15,000 in charitable donations over three years to organizations that don’t qualify for the deduction.
How many Americans make so much money that they could forget about $83,000 of it in a year?
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Change we can count on!!!!!
Brat4life on January 30, 2009 at 9:59 PM
In a speech to his fellow Republican House members, Rep. Eric Cantor, R-Va., compared Daschle’s issue with the tax problems that hindered the confirmation of Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and those of Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y., who is embroiled in a controversy over payment of taxes on a beachfront villa in the Dominican Republic.
“A pattern is developing,” Cantor said. “The pattern is solidified. … It’s easy for the other side to sit here and advocate higher taxes because — you know what? — they don’t pay them.”
Finally.
moxie_neanderthal on January 30, 2009 at 10:07 PM
Heck, imagine all the investigations if these (D)s were (R)s. I say put all taxation on hold in order to investigate the activities of the IRS. ;)
surrounded on January 30, 2009 at 10:09 PM
Looks like Baltimore, Detroit, and ‘nawlins politics have come home to roost in the Nation’s Capital.
Not that there’s anything wrong with that.
CHANGE!
ex-Democrat on January 30, 2009 at 10:17 PM
It’s the pool he’s pulling from. Or swamp, rather. If he were to insist on clean hands, he wouldn’t be able to nominate anyone.
starboardhelm on January 30, 2009 at 10:19 PM
I would never have thought that last year I would be nostalgic for a good fashioned old adultery scandal. And to think that lying cheating Edwards was the most honorable man amongst them all. At least he only cheated his wife so far as we know. Maybe someone will nominate him for something and we can find out for sure.
Lily on January 30, 2009 at 10:21 PM
According to Joe Biden it’s patriotic to pay higher taxes. So I guess he considers both Tim Geithner and Tom Daschle to be unpatriotic. Perhaps someone should ask Biden about this.
americanjbg on January 30, 2009 at 10:21 PM
moxie_neanderthal,
Thank you for the quote.
Somehow I missed that section!
Go Cantor!
INC on January 30, 2009 at 10:22 PM
“A pattern is developing,” Cantor said. “The pattern is solidified. … It’s easy for the other side to sit here and advocate higher taxes because — you know what? — they don’t pay them.”
Who is this Cantor fellow and what has he done with the squishy GoOPers?
Seriously, did the pods finally start splitting open next to Republican beds, except that instead of assimilating hive people, red blooded conservatives popping out?
Bishop on January 30, 2009 at 10:25 PM
Barack Insane Obama:
Most….corrupt….administration…..EVAH.
And it’s only 10 days old!
No vetting by “free press” = complete cluster….thanks MSM!
Not.
ex-Democrat on January 30, 2009 at 10:26 PM
Speaking of ethics, taxes et al: What ever happened with the ethics hearing that Nancy Pelosi promised would occur in January re Rangel? The end of the month is tomorrow. (I know that with her frozen look, time has stood still for Nance, but this sweeping dirt under the carpet has to stop.)
onlineanalyst on January 30, 2009 at 10:38 PM
An administration official said that Mr. Daschle had paid $31,462 in back taxes and interest for 2005, $35,546 for 2006 and $34,935 for 2007.
The official said that Mr. Daschle’s failure to pay the taxes was ‘a stupid mistake,’ but should not derail the nomination.
I am going to tell them to go f@!$ themselves if I get audited.
KentAllard on January 30, 2009 at 10:42 PM
The Dems have erected a BIG TENT where every tax cheat and incompetent can find shelter.
This is priceless!
DrStock on January 30, 2009 at 10:49 PM
Unpaid income tax, interest on that tax, but what about the failure to pay penalty? His underpayment may be large enough to constitute a “subtatantial underpayment penalty.”
This is horsesh*t. I don’t see how he and Geithner avoided penalties. These are not innocent mistakes.
BuckeyeSam on January 30, 2009 at 10:51 PM
The quality of ideas seems to play a minor role in mass movement leadership. What counts is the arrogant gesture, the complete disregard of the opinion of others, the singlehanded defiance of the world.
Eric Hoffer
Let it be impressed on your mind that God commands you to choose for rulers just men who will rule in the fear of God [Exodus 18:21]. . . . If the citizens neglect their duty and place unprincipled men in office, the government will soon be corrupted . . . If our government fails to secure public prosperity and happiness, it must be because the citizens neglect the Divine commands, and elect bad men to make and administer the laws. [Noah Webster, The History of the United States (New Haven: Durrie and Peck, 1832), pp. 336-337, 49] Noah Webster
JellyToast on January 30, 2009 at 10:53 PM
Oh it gets better. According to the Politico Daschle made $220,000 in speaking fees from the companies that he will want to regulate if he gets this position. Seems he is ahead of the curve in payoff money. This administration has to be about the most corrupt right out of the gate in history.
Engrpat on January 30, 2009 at 10:54 PM
BHO is brilliant!!! He’s getting the corruption and scandal out of the way on the front end so that his administration won’t have to deal FUBAR events down the line…Of course, done so with the aid of his morally deficient drones in the Senate, each and every last one of them sworn to uphold the Laws of the Land.
Gohawgs on January 30, 2009 at 11:10 PM
that should read “deal with Fubar”
Gohawgs on January 30, 2009 at 11:11 PM
I checked. Nothing could happen until Pelosi named a new ethics chair. She finally named Rep. Zoe Lofgren of California on January 21st.
From Instapundit:
INC on January 30, 2009 at 11:11 PM
Well stated, Ed. Bravo.
BTW, the answer is 1326.
progressoverpeace on January 30, 2009 at 11:12 PM
Stop paying your taxes, and YOU TOO could have an EXCITING CAREER in POLITICS!
DakRoland on January 30, 2009 at 11:17 PM
There seems to be a deep seated institutional arrogance on the part of the democraps.
I think the guy pushing the Rangell Rule should add and ammendment naming Daschle as well.
You have to love the way the lamestream media is trying to blow this off as an issue over “Car services”.. and that there are “some tax issues”… SOME TAX ISSUES??? SOME FREAKING TAX ISSUES… HEY OBAMA.. the dirtball tried to evade taxes on a QUARTER OF A MILLION FREAKING DOLLARS. That comes out to 20,771,432 Kenyan Shillings
What does it take for the Obamabomination to consider someone NOT qualified for their administration.. Oh way, an NRA membership would get that person crucified…
bullseye on January 30, 2009 at 11:19 PM
I don’t know about the article Ed linked, but I’ll accept the reporting from the WSJ article noted by the following:
The WSJ in tomorrow’s edition can be found here:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123335984751235247.html?mod=googlenews_wsj
And it links to the following report here:
http://online.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/DraftDaschleReport.pdf
The upshot is that the article and report clearly state that Daschle filed amended income tax returns for 2005, 2006, and 2007 on January 2, 2009.
Sandman. Did you read that? January 2, 2009.
The report states that Daschle paid total additional tax of $128,203 and interest $11,964. No mention is made of penalties, but taxpayers customarily request a waiver and await a later response from the IRS imposing them.
I think Americans–GOP and Dems–should burn up the phone lines to insist that Daschle be required to pay the standard “failure to pay” penalty. And, depending on his individual situation, he should pay the additional “substantial underpayment” penalty if it applies. His errors were not innocent mistakes.
Contact your Senators and Members of the House.
BuckeyeSam on January 30, 2009 at 11:23 PM
BuckeyeSam,
Thanks for the link.
INC on January 30, 2009 at 11:25 PM
I’ve been looking at the Finance Committee website. I found this interesting item on the Hearings page:
That’s interesting. Does this mean that if any of us want our views sent in to be part of the hearing record we can? Can we do this for other committees?
INC on January 30, 2009 at 11:31 PM
Fixed it for them.
INC: You’re very kind, but thank JammieWearingFool. I just paid it forward.
BuckeyeSam on January 30, 2009 at 11:39 PM
Ok..I’m going to be really lazy…I’m not reading anything before this…
Tom Daschle is the most limp wristed, touchy-feely, squishy, douche bag LibTard EVER!!
He is a deranged Jimmy Carter with Sally Jesse Raphael glasses…
Simpering Ultra-Liberal Twat…that was rightly booted out of office on his squishy touchy-feely ass….
Daschle is the poster boy of what’s wrong with this country….More people would know this if he wasn’t such a passive/passive poof.
But now he’s in a position…not elected…to put his smooth crotch, simpering, mealy mouthed ideology into play…
I really can’t stand this prick…
BigWyo on January 30, 2009 at 11:40 PM
Tommy has problems . . .Big ones
Texyank on January 30, 2009 at 11:41 PM
I’m pissed about this.
Let’s coin a new word for this serial tax cheating by “prominent” Democrats. The Rangel Rule just isn’t sufficient.
How about the Geith-Da-Rang Rule?
I’m open for anything more catchy, but let’s get it done and on the blogosphere this weekend before Daschle’s next hearing.
And I want this jerk paying penalties. Back taxes and interest ain’t enough.
BuckeyeSam on January 30, 2009 at 11:46 PM
Ok,,,I read some…The Prick is teetering on edge of being awarded a post that he doesn’t deserve. But will probably get anyways…
Sorry….#**)ing …Prick….
BigWyo on January 30, 2009 at 11:49 PM
“Stop paying your taxes, and YOU TOO could have an EXCITING CAREER in POLITICS!
DakRoland on January 30, 2009 at 11:17 PM”
ONLY if you are of the democrat party!!! Otherwise, you are
removed from the public “service” and publicly disgraced by the MSM.
Anyone wanna place bets that Daschle and Geithner stashed their back tax money in Jefferson’s freezer?
Gohawgs on January 30, 2009 at 11:56 PM
Or offshore in Rangel’s villa in the Dominican Republic.
BuckeyeSam on January 31, 2009 at 12:04 AM
Cantor’s quote is GOLD!
D2Boston on January 31, 2009 at 12:04 AM
I had been skeptical about Cantor when he was rumored as a VP contender, but he’s been dead on top of all this crap. He was the one of the loudest voices against TARP I, he’s taken none of Obama’s crap and been throwing it all back in The One’s face and he’s leading the charge against TARP II- Pork-boogaloo.
I am starting to get a man-crush on this guy.
Damiano on January 31, 2009 at 12:07 AM
An aside:Cantor
Atlantic Online by Marc Ambinder
More Republican Triangulating On Bipartisanship: Cantor Responds To White House
House Republicans are reacting strongly to reports that the White House plans a political onslaught to pressure Republicans into supporting the stimulus package and to punish those who don’t.
House Republican Whip Eric Cantor (R-VA) will soon issue a statement contending that Obama’s promise to “put an end to petty politics” is “threatened” as the White House and their allies “are making political threats rather than crafting a bipartisan economic stimulus plan.”
He’ll call on Obama to “immediately disavow” plans by liberal interest groups who have announced their intention to run attack ads against the Republicans. These groups, organized under the Americans United for Change umbrella, coordinate regularly with Congressional Democrats and are in touch with White House officials.
Earlier, an Obama aide said that the White House was not directly involved in these most recent efforts and had not encouraged its allies. The plans were reported in the Politico by its chief political reporter, Mike Allen.
“Let us be clear: attack ads will not create jobs or help struggling families but will only serve to undermine our nation’s desire for bipartisanship. Instead of thinking about winning at any cost, we should all be thinking about creating the jobs Americans need,” Cantor intends to say.
moxie_neanderthal on January 31, 2009 at 12:11 AM
Improved only by having the sound of Homer Simpson’s “D’oh” in the background as Cantor deliver the money quote.
BuckeyeSam on January 31, 2009 at 12:12 AM
You cannot possibly get a descent group of people to run the country from a selection of Democrats. It’s akin to why the restaurant industry (speaking as long time insider) doesn’t do drug testing while hiring – no one would have a staff.
Grafted on January 31, 2009 at 12:17 AM
Can someone do a LexisNexis search on how much ink was used for Joe The Plumber’s tax problem vice these two clowns Tim Geithner and Tom Daschle.
DSchoen on January 31, 2009 at 12:18 AM
BuckeyeSam,
Don’t forget the weekends in the city at Rangel’s 3, no 4, rent controlled apartments in Harlem…
Gohawgs on January 31, 2009 at 12:19 AM
Here’s a page at Cantor’s website.
One thing I like is that it looks as if you can find out some info about scheduled votes. You can send him your email if you like. He also has a blog and of course, twitter.
INC on January 31, 2009 at 12:21 AM
If the dems think tax paying is so patriotic, they really have a lot of non-patriots don’t they.
Tuari on January 31, 2009 at 12:30 AM
Actually…. Yes. It is.
Those Democrats too incompetent to be “Liberal hack teachers”, or “corporate tools” (Not to be confused with EFFECTIVE business people.) have no other recourse to retain their wealth but to obtain cabinet appointments from Barack Oblious.
Jones Zemkophill on January 31, 2009 at 12:35 AM
Smell the Change ™
Mason on January 31, 2009 at 12:45 AM
Ala Rep Carter, of Rangel Rule fame, some gutsy R ought to offer a bill to expand the number of cabinet positions in the Obama administration for the express purpose of balancing the budget.
Dusty on January 31, 2009 at 12:48 AM
Glad to hear that.
Alana on January 31, 2009 at 12:48 AM
And Noneya gets one free round of racist-accusative ammo. She’s entitled.
And I’m not about to give Obama a free ride. He’s a lawyer — or rather, was one until he went inactive, and should have known that there really is no free ride.
But I will give Daschle credit because he could have swept the thing under the carpet. According to the report, he found out about the issue last summer and paid the taxes on the three years this month. That kind of timetable seems about right for a honest mistake. If he only reported it this month, I will take back the credit I’ve given him, but I’m betting that the IRS took its sweet time in calculating the bill (”betting” means that there’s no information one way or the other in the news). In any case, his use of a loaned limo certainly pales in comparison to the shinanigans over at the House, where they are allowed to lease cars on the taxpayers’ dime (or, rather, C-notes).
unclesmrgol on January 31, 2009 at 12:56 AM
BHO’s administration is shaping up to look just like the administrations of many big city democrat mayors — CORRUPT…Where are the “Feds” when we need ‘em?
Gohawgs on January 31, 2009 at 12:57 AM
Looks like you have to be a tax cheat to get into O’s Cabinet. And the Kool-Aid just keeps on a coming…
DL13 on January 31, 2009 at 1:00 AM
Where are the herd of trolls that usually try to spin these things? Is the task becoming to daunting? Is the flood of Obama’s tax-cheats and lobbyists coming to fast for them field, so they are busy drafting an all inclusive, one-fits-all response?
Lefty hypocrites!
Yoop on January 31, 2009 at 1:08 AM
Benny’s mom hasn’t gone to bed yet…
Gohawgs on January 31, 2009 at 1:11 AM
“Hotrod” has cleared his calendar and is now available if Tom stumbles and falls.
moxie_neanderthal on January 31, 2009 at 2:01 AM
this tells me that these cabinet positions are worth alot more money than $100k and staying on as a lobbiest
jp on January 31, 2009 at 2:01 AM
I saw one other mention in these posts about his wife’s long conflict of interest that NEVER seemed to bother the MSM and Bill Moyers never happened to discover – his wife’s incredible lobbying career while her husband ran the Senate and guided legislation that affected her clients.
The most flagrant in-your-face abuse of power I know of.
fred5678 on January 31, 2009 at 2:16 AM
And Tom’s modest home in DC.
You would think he could have afforded a full-time CPA.
fred5678 on January 31, 2009 at 2:23 AM
Haven’t heard this from the media. Big surprise!
nazo311 on January 31, 2009 at 2:44 AM
ROFLMAO!
progressoverpeace on January 31, 2009 at 3:09 AM
“Daschle’s team claims that the former Senator deserves the credit for revealing the problem himself.”
I remember (kind of) telling the officer that had just pulled me over that I was drunk and should get some credit for bringing that up myself. It didn’t work out that way though, which is why I’m typing this in a prison library.
Kevin M on January 31, 2009 at 3:21 AM
Can someone do a LexisNexis search on how much ink was used for Joe The Plumber’s tax problem vice these two clowns Tim Geithner and Tom Daschle.DSchoen on January 31, 2009 at 12:18 AM
Unless I’m mistaken, JTP is a private citizen who had some unpaid Lorain County, Ohio, real estate taxes–that didn’t amount to much more than $1,200.
Under the Geith-Da-Rang Rule, Dems Geithner, Daschle, and Rangel flout the income tax law imposed by the very entity that has signed, does sign, or may sign their paychecks.
BuckeyeSam on January 31, 2009 at 6:18 AM
Tax cheats? Why don’t we shake the trees called “those who use tax haven countries” and “abuses immigration law”. I’m sure we’ll get plenty of the right as well as some of the left.
sethstorm on January 31, 2009 at 6:57 AM
Soros?
the_nile on January 31, 2009 at 7:04 AM
I’m leaving Rangel’s rent-control-apartment problems to the New Yorkers.
But speaking of Rangel, it appears that this past November 6-9, Charlie and five others were hosted by Citigroup at something called the Caribbean Multi-Cultural Business Conference on the island of St. Maarten.
http://www.newsmax.com/insidecover/rangel_carribean_citi/2009/01/30/176811.html
Evidenlty, it was nothing but a vacation. I wonder if Rangel asked them to stop in the Dominican Republic so that he could check up on his rental property. (Hey, Charlie, as head of the House Ways and Means committee, I’d expect you to know that U.S. citizens pay income tax on their worldwide income “from whatever source derived.”)
At any rate, the article says that the others were Donald Payne of New Jersey, Sheila Jackson-Lee of Texas, Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick of Michigan, Bennie Thompson of Mississippi, and Donna Christensen, the delegate to the House from the United States Virgin Islands.
Does anyone want to claim these clowns? I highlighted the name of Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick because, if I’m not mistaken, she’s the mother of the disgraced former mayor of Detroit, Kwame Kilpatrick.
Now that the RNC did something right in electing Michael Steele its head, when is the RNC going to send me my pitchfork. I’m mad as hell, and I want all of these POS strung up in the public square.
BuckeyeSam on January 31, 2009 at 7:04 AM
Then why are those who flout immigration law absent, never mind those on the right that use tax haven countries?
I don’t see “citizen evading” Grigsby & Cohen there or any of the usual folk of the right using various tax haven countries.
sethstorm on January 31, 2009 at 7:07 AM
Joe has a ready made out. He is not responsible for has comments; the guy he plagiarized the comment from is responsible.
burt on January 31, 2009 at 7:08 AM
Be my guest. String them up too.
The problem is that Democrats would need to call off all the reporters who are still in Alaska digging for dirt on Palin or, more recently, following her to this Mickey Mouse dinner that she’s attending in DC.
Or maybe the media idiots are too busy running around following that worthless POS Blago. Let student newspapers follow his story; I couldn’t care less about him.
But, again, please get on this. I’m begging you to do so. The more important point is that is not sufficient for you to hurl an accusation without stepping up to offer up a current instance.
Crickets.
BuckeyeSam on January 31, 2009 at 7:12 AM
That would be against their policy.
sethstorm on January 31, 2009 at 7:12 AM
…and about someone from the right?
sethstorm on January 31, 2009 at 7:14 AM
Cohen & Grigsby’s continuing practice of allowing their clients to evade the use of citizens.
sethstorm on January 31, 2009 at 7:19 AM
Please don’t use the word frozen about Pelosi; she is “SAVING THE WORLD” from global warming.
burt on January 31, 2009 at 7:24 AM
I’ll respond to a coherent statement, but what you wrote is shorthand for something that makes no sense to me. More important, I’ll spend a little time looking at any news-source link you can provide–but nothing to the left of the MSM.
Besides, is anyone your referring to (whoever it is) currently being considered for a Presidential appointment? Because that’s what we’re discussing right now. I’m begging you to line up the names and specific offenses of your tax cheats. Until then, take care of yourself.
BuckeyeSam on January 31, 2009 at 7:30 AM
I’d like to see another pattern develop; how about a pattern in which these tax cheats don’t get a single GOP vote to confirm?
PackerBronco on January 31, 2009 at 7:36 AM
BTW, talk about a cynical Friday afternoon dump.
Super Bowl weekend?
I hope Fox runs this story for the next 96 hours.
BuckeyeSam on January 31, 2009 at 7:48 AM
I guess it’s time to introduce the Puff Daschle Rule.
http://hotair.com/archives/2009/01/29/awesome-gop-congressman-introduces-the-rangel-rule/
diogenes on January 31, 2009 at 7:55 AM
Well this is interesting…
via CNN?
Obama’s half brother arrested on charge of marijuana possession
Mr Purple on January 31, 2009 at 7:59 AM
You wonder what they’re trying to hide with that diversion.
Who cares what his half brother in Kenya does.
the_nile on January 31, 2009 at 8:02 AM
You know, if Obama keeps selecting Corrupto-crats for his cabinet, most of the deficit might be covered by tax cheats paying their legitimate tax bills. I’m not saying there are innocent republicans either, but some political parties are just more corrupt (by nature) than others.
abcurtis on January 31, 2009 at 8:06 AM
Not I, said the duck.
abcurtis on January 31, 2009 at 8:07 AM
Well it’s bad publicity.
Can’t post a link here apparently but I thought this a little ironic.
Now if only we could see Barack’s birth certificate to verify he is George’s brother.
Mr Purple on January 31, 2009 at 8:07 AM
This Daschle must be at least part dumb and the other part real dumb and dishonest. Looks like they hit him up for the car and driver he got for 4 years. Did he pay any penalties in addition to interest on what was owed? And how can you forget $83K unless you’re making $830K and it just slipped by. Let’s keep looking into this lucrative consulting work he’s been engaging… And the $15K to ineligible charities? You can’t find a church to dump that change into to help them feed souls? Watch and see if Daschle doesn’t come up with a “dementia” or “alcohol abuse” problem clouding his sensorium. Either way, he’s out…and over the top.
gracie on January 31, 2009 at 8:12 AM
Eric Cantor (R) is house minority whip and represents Virginia’s seventh district. I’m keeping my eye on him.
abcurtis on January 31, 2009 at 8:12 AM
Billy Carter?
JiangxiDad on January 31, 2009 at 8:13 AM
Did he really say that in a speech?
hawkdriver on January 31, 2009 at 8:14 AM
Sorry, but this isn’t incompetance, it’s dishonesty. Nobody suddenly “discovers” an old tax liability. They are asked what could possibly become embarrassing if they are appointed, and they “remember” that they’ve been lying to the IRS for years.
The amazing part is that these two were so utterly unworried about this tax liability until they were appointed. So much for Biden’s view of patriotism.
Jaibones on January 31, 2009 at 8:18 AM
Yeah…more scandal…and Obama has just become president. Imagine how much we’ll get after a whole year?
Aronne on January 31, 2009 at 8:18 AM
Yes Mrs. Obama, now we should be very proud . . . this country is lead by crooks, cheats, liars and incompetents.
rplat on January 31, 2009 at 8:19 AM
That sort of describes Obama too, doesnt it, BigWyo?
abcurtis on January 31, 2009 at 8:21 AM
The ads for the 2010 elections need to start now:
“How many more Democrats can America afford? Jefferson, Dodd, Rangal, Geithner, Daschle,….” (I’ve no doubt there’s probably more to come)
anniekc on January 31, 2009 at 8:33 AM
“I am not a crook.” – Tom Daschle
miron on January 31, 2009 at 8:35 AM
He says he can’t find them. He should ask Hillary. Maybe there on her coffee table next to her billing records.
Sloan Morganstern on January 31, 2009 at 8:35 AM
No, he has not. At least not yet. The Senate Finance Committee report that’s just been released states that Daschle fessed up to the unpaid taxes that he owed in amended returns that he filed on January 2, 2009. The report says that he paid interest too. With regard to the interest, it’s a little unusual to pay the interest before the IRS sends you an acknowledgment of receipt for the amended returna and an accompanying bill for interest and penalties.
Whatever the case, when he filed the amended returns, Daschle likely asked that any penalties be waived.
In Daschle’s case, at least two penalties could apply–a “failure to pay” (timely) penalty and a “substantial underpayment” penalty. I think the standard for getting these penalties waived is something murky such as “reasonable cause and lack of wilfull neglect.” I don’t see how Geithner avoided penalties. There’s no way that Daschle should avoid penalties. I realize that I don’t have all the facts, but penalties seem appropriate.
By the way, Daschle could have gone online to confirm that the $15,000 of donations were deductible. The IRS maintains a list of the charities to whom taxpayers can make deductible contributions. It’s called Publication 78:
http://www.irs.gov/charities/article/0,,id=96136,00.html
I thought Dems were, by definition, tech-savvy.
BuckeyeSam on January 31, 2009 at 8:37 AM
The rape of the Unitred States is beginning. When you turn your country over to liars and thieves, what else can you expect? Obama is not a president, he is a curse on everything this great nation has stood for.
volsense on January 31, 2009 at 8:39 AM
Hey, give BO a break. It’s just been 10 days into his presidency. Another 90 and the air around would be so stinky you would thank “global warming” for sending the b o upwards.
miron on January 31, 2009 at 8:41 AM
This is great. Sethstorm is the only Troll so far that has even tried to deflect this. And he had to leave because Mom had breakfast ready and cartoons were on.
kingsjester on January 31, 2009 at 8:42 AM
This is what you get when the media is almost completely in the tank for one party. What you get is an entire class of people who either think they are above the law or understand the press they get when an event can’t be covered up will be minimal and sometimes even conciliatory.
Rush Limbaugh ran an audio montage of the entire free world of journalists describing what Timothy Geithner did as an “honest mistake”.
Did any Liberal newsperson ever describe anything George Bush did in the GWOT as an honest effort to keep us safe?
Did anyone describe George Allen’s use of Macaca as an angry slip of the tongue?
Did anyone say Trent Lotts comments about Strom Thurmond could have very easily been taken out of context?
Joe the Plumbers taxes.
Sarah Palins campaign wardrobe.
And lets not forget the fact that the media managed to take the fact that John McCain (rich old white guy Republican) couldn’t state how many houses he owned but didn’t give a flying fusk about how B. Hussein Obama got all of his land around one of his houses for next to nothing from Tony Rezko and was then instrumental is covering for him getting millions in failed housing projects.
This is what you get when you just don’t have Joe Goebbels at one of the networks pushing the Liberal agenda, but an entire offensive line protecting their guys in the backfield.
it’s important to protect this country from bills like the Fairness Doctrine.
hawkdriver on January 31, 2009 at 8:43 AM
I thought we had found the bottom of the barrel with Daschle. But that was before Harry Reid.
Where to the Dems find these people?
petefrt on January 31, 2009 at 8:44 AM
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