NY Times calls for Daschle’s withdrawal
posted at 8:35 am on February 3, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
Share on Facebook | printer-friendly
What happens when your own cheerleading team starts booing one of your players? Barack Obama just found out. The New York Times has called for Tom Daschle to withdraw, and for Obama to find another, “less-blemished” Secretary of HHS, and not just regarding taxes (via The Corner):
When President Obama nominated former Senator Tom Daschle to be his secretary of health and human services, it seemed to be a good choice. Mr. Daschle, as the co-author of a book on health care reform, knew a lot about one of the president’s signature issues. As a former Senate majority leader, he also knew a lot about guiding controversial bills through Congress, where he remains liked and respected by former colleagues.
Unfortunately, new facts have come to light — involving his failure to pay substantial taxes that were owed and his sizable income from health-related companies while he worked in the private sector — that call into question his suitability for the job. We believe that Mr. Daschle ought to step aside and let the president choose a less-blemished successor.
Mr. Daschle’s tax shortfall is particularly troubling because it comes on the heels of another nominee’s failure to pay taxes due. We were not pleased when the president’s Treasury secretary, Timothy Geithner, admitted that he had failed to pay tens of thousands of dollars in federal self-employment taxes while working for the International Monetary Fund despite having signed paperwork acknowledging the obligation.
Now we are confronted with an even larger lapse by Mr. Daschle, who failed to pay $128,000 in taxes, primarily for personal use of a car and driver provided to him by a private equity firm for which he consulted. Although the firm — headed by a major Democratic donor — had not issued a form 1099 for the value of the car service, Mr. Daschle said he became concerned last June that he might owe taxes on it and instructed his accountant to investigate. Neither was concerned enough to actually pay the taxes.
As the Times notes, the American tax system relies heavily, although not completely, on voluntary compliance. The IRS does not have the personnel to go door to door to demand financial records of every person living in America, nor should they. High-profile tax cheats undermine that system of voluntary compliance as an army of Hot Air commenters have noted. If Daschle and Geithner (and Al Franken and Charlie Rangel) can skip paying taxes with no penalties and still get high public office, why should any of us pay?
The Times takes a rather remarkable tone in this editorial as well. They don’t buy the explanation Daschle has offered at all — that he had no idea that he owed the taxes. The editors note that Daschle didn’t bother to actually pay the taxes until months after he supposedly began thinking about the problem. That only happened after Team Obama starting noticing some unrelated oddities in Daschle’s taxes during the vetting process.
And that brings up another point. The Obama transition team knew full well that Daschle had significant tax problems when that vetting process began. Why did Obama insist on keeping Daschle at HHS? Daschle had spent the last few years as a high-profile lobbyist for the industry Obama wanted him to regulate, which is exactly what Obama promised not to do during the campaign. So now we have a lobbyist and a tax cheat rolled up into one person, whom Obama insists should run Health and Human Services, and he knew all of this well before announcing Daschle and submitting his name for confirmation. It’s not like Obama can claim to be surprised.
Even Obama’s biggest cheerleaders object to the stink of Daschle. Perhaps Obama may start thinking about Plan B.
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Blowback
Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.
Trackbacks/Pings
Trackback URL
Comments
Comment pages: « Previous 1 2 3 Next »
http://www.commentarymagazine.com/blogs/index.php/rubin/53032
Mr. Joe on February 3, 2009 at 9:37 AM
Germany and France have it figured out.
DeathToMediaHacks on February 3, 2009 at 9:37 AM
DeathToMediaHacks on February 3, 2009 at 9:31 AM
Take a flawed but working system, that covers 90% + of our current population, and turn it over completely to the govt. What could go wrong?
/sarc
cs89 on February 3, 2009 at 9:38 AM
Yes, sorry that that didn’t come through in my comment.
You forgot to acknowledge that he (or she) is in “really good physical shape,” which we’ll have to take at face value.
BuckeyeSam on February 3, 2009 at 9:39 AM
If you get the government and the trial lawyers out of health care the price would come down substantially.
Johan Klaus on February 3, 2009 at 9:41 AM
Yeah, good luck with that, all the dhimmicrats seem to be dirty babies.
4shoes on February 3, 2009 at 9:41 AM
That would be a good start. Seriously. Mandatory audits for every person at GS-13 and above. Just like drug testing.
petefrt on February 3, 2009 at 9:42 AM
Instead of worrying about whether the NY Times has disagreed with Obama–I’m more interested in whether Obama will heed the warning signs of growing disapproval on many fronts. During the campaign, he used the bus heavily–but, will he now that he’s ‘won’? I suspect so. His scurvy minions and alter egos, Axelrod and Emmanuel, will insist he give it lip service if nothing more. The White House Triad!
jeanie on February 3, 2009 at 9:42 AM
And it works about as poorly as it does in Canada. First hand experience in both places.
Johan Klaus on February 3, 2009 at 9:42 AM
These are just GREAT role models for my kids. Fifteen years ago I divorced and moved and then two years later money was being deducted from my checking account. I found that it was the federal gov for a tax liability on a mistake my ex and I made I HAD NO IDEA as I had moved. So I paid the freaking $800.00 plus penalities etc. It was on my credit report for SEVEN YEARS. And I have to sit here and watch these idiots not pay penalities when these are the bozos that make THESE LAWS. This really pisses me off! WHY SHOULD ANY OF US PAY TAXES NOW! WE ARE NOT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENTS PEASANTS!
kthomas8268 on February 3, 2009 at 9:43 AM
Corruption in state capitals and in Washington is becoming more and more evident. Add to that the financial mismanagement and theft by the heads of many of our largest corporations,and you undermine the notion of the rule of law, and the average man’s willingness to obey the rules. This honesty/integrity and respect for the rule of law is just another one of the major pillars of our society that is rotting out from underneath us. Some of us can see what holds us up, and see the rot. Most people just see the top, where things look pretty much as they always do. But we’re listing a few degrees. Your internal guidance tells you so.
JiangxiDad on February 3, 2009 at 9:43 AM
In the short-term. As a percentage of GDP, their unfunded liabilities are even worse than our own. Those countries will be “out of business”, probably in my children’s lifetimes. What you lefties see in Europe is the “calm before the storm”. Not a road I want the US to go down, nor should any sane person.
It partially stems from the fact that even Euro politicians don’t have the balls to tax people as highly as they need to be taxed to support these black holes, as well as the fact that if they did tax them at those rates, 50% of the economy would go “underground” like it is in Italy.
venividivici on February 3, 2009 at 9:44 AM
Actually, I’d be satisfied with nothing more than a strict accounting of Presidential campaign financing from this last joke of an election and a RICO suit against ACORN. But that’s just crazy talk, I know.
progressoverpeace on February 3, 2009 at 9:44 AM
30 seconds looking at HIPAA on wikipedia debunks the heart of your “preexisting conditions” argument. I know, it’s wikipedia. If you’ve got a convincing argument you know what you’re talking about here, I’d love to see it.
cs89 on February 3, 2009 at 9:46 AM
Warm up the bus…
pain train on February 3, 2009 at 9:47 AM
If this were a Republican, they would be screaming for nothing short of perfection. But, for Dems, they want someone, you know, human.
Richard Romano on February 3, 2009 at 9:47 AM
Er … other countries’ health care systems live off the immense amount of money that the US puts into it. Without US money, research dries up and their systems die.
European socialists leech off of the US economic engine. When we turn socialist, they’re really f#cked.
progressoverpeace on February 3, 2009 at 9:47 AM
I have no sympathy for Daschle. He’s an adult who received a compensatory benefit from an entity that was employing him as a consultant. I don’t care that Daschle may have been a friend of the head of the entity that had engaged Daschle. The fact remains that Daschle and this entity were engaged in a compensatory arrangement–every compensatory benefit that the entity provided Daschle was taxable to him unless the Internal Revenue Code provides a specific exclusion. Period. Daschle is not an idiot.
What I’d really like to see is a copy of the consulting agreement between Daschle and the entity. Because if there’s a specific provision calling for the entity to provide Daschle with a car, he goes from being derelict to being fraudulent.
BuckeyeSam on February 3, 2009 at 9:48 AM
ditto
becki51758 on February 3, 2009 at 9:48 AM
It will take some time to understand:
If you are just avoiding penalties and interest just write Rangle Rule at the bottom of the return.
If you are deciding to not declare any extraordinary perks (such as a car, driver, nanny or coporate jet that is provided by another) then write Daschle Dodge at the bottom.
If you are deciding to not declare any income received from lobbying efforts simply use Obama Exemption on line 4508a.
But, if you are declaring the intent to pay no taxes on any income, regardless of source, you simply write Far-Left-Wing-Hack Whack and draw a small picture beside it of a closed fist with the middle finger extended.
Yoop on February 3, 2009 at 9:48 AM
Payback, just like all of his other appointees.
fogw on February 3, 2009 at 9:49 AM
Belly laugh, you made my day. Thanks!
hawkdriver on February 3, 2009 at 9:50 AM
hahaha That’s the best tax advice I’ve ever got!! Thanks!
becki51758 on February 3, 2009 at 9:51 AM
The black market, the biggest market. In Houston, Texas there are flea markets everywhere and guess what; no taxes. And of course, the largest segment of the population that use the flea markets are the folks who do not pay for their healthcare.
Johan Klaus on February 3, 2009 at 9:52 AM
I think its more than that. With all of the old Clinton gang showing back up in the administration, one could easily conclude that they have been planning this for a long time. Hillary botched the deal in 93 and then the Newt-led Congress kept this in check until now. I see a very a very tightly coiled spring ready to loose itself on us all.
genso on February 3, 2009 at 9:54 AM
Man, Hack. Good job trying to derail this thread. Unfortunately, Daschle’s dishonesty is still the subject.
With all the problems with the Porkulous Bill, I ‘m thinking that “Puff” Daschle will be made the sacrificial lamb.
kingsjester on February 3, 2009 at 9:54 AM
In part, at least, I think that the blogs are filling this important gap on a couple of fronts. The news of these shady deals and even more shady folk are put out almost instantly. Not only that, there are as many points of view as there are blogs, so every side gets out there even the pretty far out ones. There’s no place for pols et al to hide. We, the poor down trodden, get to know almost immediately and get to say our piece whether or not anyone is listening or cares. It’s a new, new world and it’s effect on politics cannot be discounted. But—if the day ever comes when pols think they can never please anybody, then they might say to h–l with it and do exactly what they want. O may be one of these?
jeanie on February 3, 2009 at 9:56 AM
Politicians are like diapers. Both should be changed for the same reason. A year ago the Democrats were demanding an end to the administration they called ‘the most corrupt ever,’ and the best they can offer is a bunch of ethically challenged appointees. Geithner, Daschle, Holder, the whole lot – should all be doing time somewhere, making litlle ones out of big ones. But, since they are all members of the Democratic party, the laws don’t apply to them the way they apply to ordinary citizens (regardless of party) and members of any party other than the Dems. Reminds me of a line from one of the songs in “Paint Your Wagon” sung by the Ben Rumson character:
“The drunkard’s in prison
An the criminal he isn’
And only the rascals have gold!”
Yep. Situation normal as before under the Democrats. Welcome to Clinton’s Third Term.
Orson Buggeigh on February 3, 2009 at 9:56 AM
You forgot the Snipes tripe.
Johan Klaus on February 3, 2009 at 9:56 AM
Yeah, what he said.
The amount of people in this country who have no knowledge of political/economic world history is astounding. This general ignorance is at the heart of all the dumb decisions the voters are making.
Moxie on February 3, 2009 at 9:57 AM
Had a bus nominee not paid $0.01 in back taxes, people like Media Huckster would be calling for impeachment.
angryed on February 3, 2009 at 9:57 AM
bush that is
angryed on February 3, 2009 at 9:57 AM
The IRS will be sending out different forms this year.
If your are a registered Democrat then the form will come with a booklet that is titled: One Thousand and One Disingenuous Ways to Avoid Paying Taxes.
If you are anything other than a registered Democrat the form will be simple and is exhibited below:
How much did you make last year: $________.
Send it all in.
Yoop on February 3, 2009 at 9:59 AM
Yes. Because “bus nominees” are what the idiot messiah picks. You never know when those big wheels are going to have to come rolling over another BHO associate :)
progressoverpeace on February 3, 2009 at 10:00 AM
Do I believe for a moment that the New York Times actually believes what it has written here? No. This is just puffery to buttress a pretension to being an honest player.
One has to wonder, if this is true, whom the Gray Lady thinks is a “less blemished” candidate? Is there indeed such a thing as damning with faint praise? If there is, the Times damns the entire bucket of candidates with the same faint praise. Interesting.
unclesmrgol on February 3, 2009 at 10:00 AM
Never in a million years did I think I would find myself agreeing with The Times. Wow.
teffertoes on February 3, 2009 at 10:01 AM
You have not seen taxation until you have experienced the VAT.
Johan Klaus on February 3, 2009 at 10:03 AM
Al Capone was not jailed for murder, mayhem, robbery and general societal destruction, nope they got him on tax evasion charges. How cool is that?
tarpon on February 3, 2009 at 10:06 AM
So has the Times called for Rangel to resign his seat and be prosecuted for tax evasion? What about Geithner? Or Dodd?
And no, I no longer read the Times. It stopped being a credible paper years ago. For instance, an editorial in 2003 calling for the Red Sox to beat the New York Yankees (despite it being the New York Times) without disclosing that the Times was a part owner of the Red Sox. Or Howell Raines spiking of a couple sports columns where the columnist, despite being hired for his opinion, had to rework columns that disagreed with Raines’ view that the Augusta golf club should admit women. The Times is dishonest.
rbj on February 3, 2009 at 10:06 AM
The Obama Administration should never have proceeded with this nomination once they learned about Daschle’s tax troubles during the vetting process. But what can we expect from a Chicago politician?
As for the Times, I’ll be impressed when they call for a criminal investigation into Daschle’s tax evasion. Contrast and compare:
Ted Stevens was convicted on seven felony counts. The jury found Mr. Stevens guilty of failing to report tens of thousands of dollars in gifts and services from friends. These included an estimated $250,000 in renovations to his home in Alaska underwritten by the owner of an oil-services company and one of the state’s leading power brokers.
Daschle is alleged to have failed to declare $255,000 in “gifts” from the private equity firm (and major Dem donor) for whom he did “consulting work”, and he failed to register as a lobbyist.
Buy Danish on February 3, 2009 at 10:11 AM
Do not ever make a typo while addressing the great one of the Hot Air threads, DeathToConservativeMediaHacks. You can ask him shampoo advise though. Oh, and how to take care of those awful spit ends!
hawkdriver on February 3, 2009 at 10:11 AM
Byron York at NRO uncovered an interesting detail about Daschle: he was audited for 2006, didn’t own up to the rent-free use of the car, and no adjustment was made for it. From York’s article:
“It has not been widely reported, but Daschle was audited by the IRS in 2006. There were no problems with the audit, but all sides concede that is because the IRS didn’t know that Daschle had been receiving the car service. If IRS investigators had known, they surely would have told Daschle that he owed the taxes. But Daschle didn’t tell the auditors about the car and driver; the audit occurred well before his June 2008 revelation that the car service was taxable.”
BuckeyeSam on February 3, 2009 at 10:12 AM
I realize our health care system isn’t perfect. However I fear we will be replacing something that’s flawed with something that’s a disaster.
terryannonline on February 3, 2009 at 10:12 AM
Nice to see the NY Times wants someone other than Israel and the US to withdraw.
Attila (Pillage Idiot) on February 3, 2009 at 10:15 AM
That’s a myth big American pharmaceutical companies would like you to believe, because that’s how they justify exorbitant drug prices in the US. It’s total bull, though.
Look up the data here: global health research spending is $160 billion a year. Of that $35 billion is US money. So the US, which produces 21% of the world’s GDP, spends 21.8% of the world’s health research money. It seems to me that the US is doing its fair share, nothing more, nothing less.
At any rate, while $35 billion is a lot of money to you and me, it’s a drop in the ocean compared to all the money spent on health, which is about $1.5 trillion in the US and $1.3 trillion in the EU.
factoid on February 3, 2009 at 10:15 AM
That sounds good.
terryannonline on February 3, 2009 at 10:17 AM
It’s not a matter of who is doing the research, it’s a question of which market they are doing the research for, and it’s the US health care market, exclusively. The Euros are incensed that their own drug companies won’t develop drugs unless they think they will sell in the US. This has been a long-standing bee in the Euros’ bonnet.
And it’s not just the Euros, the whole world leeches off the US health care system.
Why do you think identical drugs are cheaper in Canada than they are in the US? Because they get them off of our backs.
progressoverpeace on February 3, 2009 at 10:21 AM
That, incidentally, is the German system.
factoid on February 3, 2009 at 10:23 AM
Doesn’t Germany have a universal health care system? I don’t think that’s what the previous commenter was advocating.
terryannonline on February 3, 2009 at 10:26 AM
There were a couple of tax attorneys on one of the business shows saying that this sets a precedent that will make easy for lawyers to argue for the same treatment for everyone else, i.e. waving fines and such.
Ann NY on February 3, 2009 at 10:27 AM
What is it it with BO and his peeps not paying taxes:
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D96463C80&show_article=1
Pulchritudinous Patriot on February 3, 2009 at 10:28 AM
I sure don’t like the way things are looking. The federal government seems to be leaning toward the wrong decisions on just about every issue.
When they decide to grant amnesty and take away our gun rights, it will signal that the United States Citizens and the constitution have been betrayed by dangerous enemys of our Union. That is when the intent of the 2nd ammendment kicks in big time. Are you ready?
saiga on February 3, 2009 at 10:29 AM
Gone on Friday.
getalife on February 3, 2009 at 10:30 AM
I read the article you linked. This paragraph is interesting.
Am I overlooking something, or are you actually saying our country spending over 5x more than any other country on this field is our “fair share?”
cs89 on February 3, 2009 at 10:34 AM
Daschle is a tax cheat, plain and simple.
He got caught.
As Ed points out, he (and his wife) are both well-compensated lobbyists.
Some change.
Geithner is also a tax cheat. And now he has been caught.
I respectfully disagree with Ed’s observation that the US tax system relies on voluntary compliance.
It relies on the threat of imprisonment.
molonlabe28 on February 3, 2009 at 10:35 AM
It was about PUBLIC funding, not private, read the article that you link.
Ann NY on February 3, 2009 at 10:40 AM
Obama says he “absolutely” stands by Daschle the tax cheat.
Exactly what would it take for Obama to not “absolutely” stand by someone?
Mass murder?
Where does he draw the line? Or does he?
drjohn on February 3, 2009 at 10:40 AM
drjohn on February 3, 2009 at 10:40 AM
“I could no more disown Daschle than… uh… (whispering- “what poll?” “The NYT?”)…
(looks at Daschle)
Who are you again?
cs89 on February 3, 2009 at 10:44 AM
I remember when he was speaker and drove an old car to work.
But then him and his wife became lobbyists.
“Health care groups paid Daschle $220K.”
Two less lobbyists in this administration.
Getting hard to find clean from lobbying people in Washington.
getalife on February 3, 2009 at 10:44 AM
The Democrats are so dirty that they don’t even acknowledge scum like Daschle floating around in their political cesspool. For them he’s just business as usual.
rplat on February 3, 2009 at 10:45 AM
Germany has a universal health care system in the sense that everybody must have health insurance (and if you can’t buy it the government will help you out). You can buy into one of the more basic, public health insurance plans, or you can select one of the more expensive private plans, which tend to pay for better services (such as private rooms in hospitals).
Health care itself is provided by doctors who may or may not be public employees. Health care facilities are operated by private companies, municipalities, churches, universities — kind of like in this country.
In this sense, the system differs from the one in France or Canada where health care itself is a government service (like national defense or law enforcement) and it is funded from tax dollars.
factoid on February 3, 2009 at 10:45 AM
The most transparent and open and honest administration ever. Its historic. And for all of the fawning stories about the tough vetting process, we get these guys. Now another appointee, Nancy Killefer, withdraws because of, you guessed it, tax problems. And…this information is coming out despite a protective media. Imagine what we would know if the media put half the scrutiny they gave Bush.
genso on February 3, 2009 at 10:45 AM
This is no loss to the dems, as far as the NYT is concerned. Daschle gets along fine with the Republicans, and he is not a far left guy.
NYT knows that his “replacement” will be further left, and not as well liked by the Republicans.
This is a win-win for the NYT, they look like they are being “fair” and at the same time will get someone further left then Daschle.
right2bright on February 3, 2009 at 10:45 AM
I think Plan B only works for up to 72 hours after a “poor decision”… he’s going to need to abort this one I suspect. Or perhaps he could consider seeing if anyone else will adopt this turkey.
At least that is the information I see on TV about it.
gekkobear on February 3, 2009 at 10:49 AM
Yes and yes. I am saying that our country is spending its fair share and you are overlooking something. What you are overlooking is that our country is many times larger in terms of population and GDP than any of the other countries listed.
This country has one-fifth of the world’s wealth and it spends one-fifth of the world’s health research money. Sounds like a square deal.
What would your definition of our “fair share” be?
factoid on February 3, 2009 at 10:52 AM
Not to imply that Chief Justice Roberts is a tax cheat, but when he was being considered for his current position (for which he was confirmed with wide bipartisan support), the Bush White House refused to turn over his tax returns for the customary most recent three years.
Just another useless factoid.
factoid on February 3, 2009 at 10:57 AM
Me too! We need a mass scale tax revolt. That’s the only way these freaks will get the idea that this isn’t a nazi regime.
ErinF on February 3, 2009 at 10:59 AM
Please. You aren’t really trying to compare this “useless factoid” to defend the actions of the media, are you?
genso on February 3, 2009 at 11:00 AM
Then don’t.
cs89 on February 3, 2009 at 11:01 AM
Just curious- do we also produce “one-fifth” of the world’s new medical breakthroughs?
I suspect the number is much, much higher than that.
cs89 on February 3, 2009 at 11:03 AM
For the love of God,are there any democrats out there that need work and are not corrupt,lying,tax cheaters.
If so,please apply at:
The Obama Circus Administration immediately.
Official: Performance czar withdraws candidacy
Feb 3 11:41 AM US/Eastern
By MICHAEL J. SNIFFEN and LIZ SIDOTI
Associated Press Writer
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D9646DBG0&show_article=1
This has gotten beyond pathetic.
Mr. 57 states and his superior judgment are looking more and more like nothing but a ship of fools everyday.
“Yes We Can!!!”
Baxter Greene on February 3, 2009 at 11:10 AM
I just listened to Obama introduce Gregg as Commerce Sec. After the speeches, reporters were shouting questions about people having a hard time paying their taxes. Obama’s response was the “stare.”
genso on February 3, 2009 at 11:11 AM
genso on February 3, 2009 at 11:11 AM
And so it begins. Priceless.
kingsjester on February 3, 2009 at 11:13 AM
LOL
drjohn on February 3, 2009 at 11:14 AM
And here’s another one….
From Ace
drjohn on February 3, 2009 at 11:15 AM
That and garnishing paychecks, seizing assets, and so forth.
Buy Danish on February 3, 2009 at 11:16 AM
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: This is Rahm Emanuel’s cabinet. Obama doesn’t know these people and has relied too heavily on Emanuel.
rgeaste on February 3, 2009 at 11:16 AM
Sorry,did not notice you had already covered yet another corrupt democrat making their way out of the “swamp” today.
For someone that is supposed to posses all types of powers to unite the world and change people with simply the touch of his hand,Obama sure looks like someone who doesn’t have a clue in the world about what is going on around him.
17 lobbyist already hired into his administration.
“Hope and Change” is turning out to be “Choke and Gag”.
What a joke.
Baxter Greene on February 3, 2009 at 11:17 AM
Wow, this makes sense. Daschle has not withdrawn his name despite failing to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars in taxes, but Nancy Killefer who only owed $900.00 withdrew.
The Obama Rules: The smaller the error, the greater the punishment.
Buy Danish on February 3, 2009 at 11:20 AM
This has to be a complete embarrassment to Michelle’s children. Maybe daddy is not as smart as they were led to believe.
genso on February 3, 2009 at 11:20 AM
As Stalin said: tax the small businesses out of existence, and co-opt the large ones into centrally-manageable blocs.
The “bailouts” are accomplishing the second part of that. And whatever tax reports you turn in now will be re-reviewed later for retroactive confiscation.
This has all happened a hundred times before in a hundred countries, just not in America.
logis on February 3, 2009 at 11:22 AM
The buck stops at the President.
You can’t go around accepting all this admiration and praise for being so smart and such a great leader then when things go wrong,continue to whine “These are not the people that I knew”,”They have not been straight with me”.
Obama surrounding himself with so many big names and egos to deflect his lack of experience is nothing but a sign that he is not Presidential material.
This man is a puppet,not a leader.
Baxter Greene on February 3, 2009 at 11:23 AM
Not that Obama ever answers any questions that aren’t pre-approved, but I predict a bunker strategy with the press very soon. Even having the questions asked on TV is not good for the O.
genso on February 3, 2009 at 11:24 AM
What is maddening is that many people (including the Clintons)have been saying this all along and there is an enormous amount of proof that shows Obama to be nothing but a poser.
This failed community organizer had no real accomplishments
or record to run on at all.
Liberals and the Press did not care and called this nothing
but a “distraction”.
It is time for the MSM to get off their knees and call this Paparazzi President out on his lack of judgment,hypocrisy,and all out stupidity.
No wonder President Bush is smiling so much now and days.
Karma’s a bitc$
Baxter Greene on February 3, 2009 at 11:29 AM
“Gah, this guy again. Samuel J. “Joe the ‘Plumber’” Wurzelbacher, freshly returned from bankrupting Pajamas Media with his “I Don’t Know, Maybe Journalists Should Shut Up, Or Something” tour of Israel, is now going to be meeting with the Conservative Working Group, making working for the Conservative Working Group the worst possible job anyone could have this week.”
LOL. Joe had a tax problem too.
getalife on February 3, 2009 at 11:30 AM
You’re pathetic. Not even good troll. I’m sending this to Alexrod. I don’t think he will be very happy with this lame effort.
genso on February 3, 2009 at 11:36 AM
If the NYT does not want him I say appoint him
O has already appointed a more tax blemished person Geithner to the highest tax related post
On a local radio investment program the host was discussing the Geithner case. If the host was accurate, he said that Geithner was audited for two years, and then paid the back taxes for those two years, but did not make any effort to pay similar due taxes for other years when he had the same employment. In other words, despite the fact he was informed by the audit he owed taxes for that sort of work he chose to only pay the back taxes for the two years he was audited and did not step up for the other years.
That is OK for the NYT
If the NYT does not now want Daschle, it must be that Daschle has outlived his usefulness to the NYT
entagor on February 3, 2009 at 11:38 AM
Anyone adding it up?
Geithner
Rangle
Al Frankin
Daschle
taxes are for THEE, not me.
kurtzz3 on February 3, 2009 at 11:39 AM
LOL…. called it…
The Press is turning on the Obama administration.
The American Press built itself the last few years, into a group whose main investigative unit was to investigate Washington (Bush Admin).
Now, those folks have to find somthing to write about, and the Obama administration, and Dems, are the only target left in town. The won’t really go after Repubs much longer, as it will be looked at as kicking a down man… they will have to go after those in power…
Shark Feeding Frenzy in 5… 4…. NOW!
Romeo13 on February 3, 2009 at 11:45 AM
Comment pages: « Previous 1 2 3 Next »