Jim DeMint became the first voice from the Senate to demand that Barack Obama withdraw the nomination of Tom Daschle for a Cabinet post at HHS. DeMint, who also opposed Tim Geithner for his tax failures, says that Senatorial comity has to be set aside to uphold the rule of law. Had Daschle been a politically-unconnected outsider, DeMint says, he would be hiring a criminal lawyer rather than a confirmation sherpa:
This alone should torpedo his nomination. The proud owner of the 1971 rustbucket gets tripped up in part because he didn’t pay taxes on his limousine service. Change you just can’t believe, baby!
Blowback
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I predict a withdrawal, perhaps as soon as tomorrow, as Daschle suddenly discovers a need to spend more time with his family …. and perhaps a need to earn a little more money to cover his bills.
I predict a policy position in the West Wing. No conformation needed.
God bless Jim DeMint! This man is speaking out on an almost daily basis against things that shouldn’t even be happening in the first place. And his website is amazing, chock full of great info and opinions. Every day I like him more.
“The average American would likely face criminal charges with tax evasion of this size,
You’re damned right.
If I had even $50 in unpaid taxes the IRS would be at my door with guns drawn.
This is crony crap. I’m PO’d.
One standard for thine, one standard for thee.
Daschle may be withdrawn, but only because of the huge carbon footprint his Nova is spewing. I’m sure Gore has weighed in. The tax cheat angle doesn’t play with democrats – they all do it, apparently.
At the same time, it became clear on Monday that Mr. Daschle was responsible for thousands of dollars in additional unpaid taxes related to his use of the car service, even after already paying $140,000 in taxes and interest. He has acknowledged that he owes Medicare taxes equal to 2.9 percent of the personal value of the car service he received from Leo Hindery Jr., a big Democratic donor and founder of a private equity firm to which Mr. Daschle was an adviser. Mr. Daschle’s failure to pay Medicare taxes on the income was discovered by the Finance Committee.
Ed — thanks for the video… priceless, especially given the circumstances. Perhaps he should have eschewed the limo and driver and held onto that Pontiac Ventura…
Obama is planning on paying for all of his campaign promises by nominating only those who have not paid hundreds of thousands of dollars in prior tax years. THAT’S where all the mystery money is coming from that will allow tax breaks for everyone else.
Frankly, we were blind to not see the brilliance of this plan earlier.
If Geithner was nominated now, he would have to withdraw also…this is only the third week of Obama administration, just the third week and it is a disaster.
Even a lot of “conservatives” are saying Daschle’s tax evasion was an understandable oversight. But there seems to be a pattern emerging among Obortion’s picks. Every last one of them is a crook!
I was ecstatic when Daschel lost his senate seat. Let’s send him out to pasture a second time. What the heck are his qualifications anyway?
If Obama is truly serious about “transparency” in the federal government then, in light of this apparent tip of the iceberg, he should declare that every senator, congressman and other high-ranking person at the federal level (including himself) will be vetted to ensure that they’re all paying the taxes they owe. That would impress me!
Actuall, Demint continues to impress. I heard him (on radio) take a principled, well-reasoned, sensible dissent against the TARP vote as well. Demint is a true conservative.
Do you think it would matter? They’ve already slaughtered their sacrificial lamb for their tax cheating. Obama would forgive Gregg, because he wants one less GOP Senator. Seems like he got it.
I think we could include Oklahoma in that list. Inhofe is a pretty good guy, too.
pannw on February 3, 2009 at 12:13 PM
There was some talk that Gregg would only accept the nomination if the governor promised to replace him with a Republican. Does anyone know if that deal got done?
Bad news for you, I just talked to Obama, and he said he doesn’t want to impress you…
I would love for that to happen, but the Senate and House would never, ever, buy into that…seems there is a little opaqueness to his transparency.
OK, PEOPLE!!! NOw we all must call Senator Demint and thank him for this!!!!! He is also against the 2009 Generational Theft Act!!!! Call him and thank him!!!!!!!!!!!!
How big is the target on Senator DeMint for the next election?
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on February 3, 2009 at 11:59 AM
I’ve commented about this before. SC never changes senators, seriously. In 1966, Fritz Hollings and Strom Thurmonds held the two senate seats. Each of those seats has changed hands ONCE — Lindsey Graham took over Thurmond’s and DeMint was elected to Fritz’s. Two new senators in the past 80 years of service! If those two wanted to stay 40 years, they probably could. You couldn’t unseat either of them without a ton of money and a well-known state-wide Democrat: who would that be in SC? Clyburn? Still, that also means it would be tough to remove Graham if you wanted to toss the RINO for a real conservative like DeMint.
You couldn’t unseat either of them without a ton of money and a well-known state-wide Democrat: who would that be in SC? Clyburn? Still, that also means it would be tough to remove Graham if you wanted to toss the RINO for a real conservative like DeMint.
LastRick on February 3, 2009 at 12:21 PM
As for Graham’s seat, Mark Sanford is in his last term as Gov. Just saying.
DeMint is fantastic. I get his email updates weekly, and he seems to be one of the few in DC willing to ever put up a fight. Excellent presidential potential in this man.
Call it professional courtesy; many of them wouldn’t mind getting confirmed themselves in later administrations, and they don’t want to buck tradition out of self-interest.
Even though he was later confirmed, this courtesy didn’t seem to matter much with the nomination hearings for John Ashcroft.
That’s how Sen. DeMint complimented me back during the 2004 election when he visited our country GOP HQ in PA to rally support for the reelection of Sen. Santorum.
When I shook DeMint’s hand, I told him of my admiration for his work, as well as that of several others (by name) in Congress. His response: “You are a true conservative.”
What Sen. DeMint told us of the tireless work and research that Sen. Santorum had done re national security makes the loss of Santorum even more of a bitter pill.
I am glad to see/hear DeMint get out in front of the cameras and identify serious issues on behalf of our nation. It is not partisanship that guides him but a true patriot’s and servant’s heart/mind.
Oh, I can think of another job Governor Sanford can run for.
LastRick on February 3, 2009 at 12:35 PM
Man, I’m with you on that. Still, Graham’s seat will be a fallback two years later if he doesn’t go for the gold. I wouldn’t THAT disappointed to keep him here.
Here again, Jim DeMint leads by example, while McConnell, McCain and other fake leaders hide under the desk. time to hose out the GOP caucus, seriously.
Deadbeat Daschle should hit the road before he does more damage to the Obamessiah. But he’s too arrogant to do that. He’s just salivating over having control over a trillion dollar HHS budge and from there control over one seventh of the economy. The fact that he’s still in the game, let alone that he was chosen in the first case, is a testament to the executive inexperience of Mr. Obama.
Is anyone keeping track of all the money Obama is generating for the treasury with just his nominations?
Good point, original! What deficit? Just get high ranking Democrats to pay taxes.
eucher on February 3, 2009 at 12:42 PM
Like saving jobs is as good as creating a job, I suppose getting some crook lib to pay their taxes they owed in the first place is as good as lowering yours.
I have to agree with the minority opinion in this thread. The Senate should just give Obi the One blanket confirmation for all his appointments. Then stock up on popcorn and watch the fireworks, explosions, and collapse of the light(weight)-worker.
There is justice. BWAAAAHAAAAHAAAHAAA.
But really all that means is that Deadbeat Daschle will continue to lobby his friends in Congress for millions. But the Health Care system dodged one bullet.
Blowback
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Demint is starting to impress.
Good work. Let’s get him on TEMS
originalpechanga on February 3, 2009 at 11:51 AM
I predict a policy position in the West Wing. No conformation needed.
genso on February 3, 2009 at 11:54 AM
Where’s the writers union.
Their jobs are getting stolen by the gov.
the_nile on February 3, 2009 at 11:54 AM
confirmation…oops
genso on February 3, 2009 at 11:54 AM
think the Senate Club will really torpedo one of their own?
jp on February 3, 2009 at 11:55 AM
Is anyone keeping track of all the money Obama is generating for the treasury with just his nominations?
originalpechanga on February 3, 2009 at 11:56 AM
Release the hounds!
BuckeyeSam on February 3, 2009 at 11:57 AM
God bless Jim DeMint! This man is speaking out on an almost daily basis against things that shouldn’t even be happening in the first place. And his website is amazing, chock full of great info and opinions. Every day I like him more.
califcon on February 3, 2009 at 11:57 AM
You’re damned right.
If I had even $50 in unpaid taxes the IRS would be at my door with guns drawn.
This is crony crap. I’m PO’d.
One standard for thine, one standard for thee.
Badger40 on February 3, 2009 at 11:58 AM
Under the bus for you!
Smooth Rooster on February 3, 2009 at 11:58 AM
Daschle may be withdrawn, but only because of the huge carbon footprint his Nova is spewing. I’m sure Gore has weighed in. The tax cheat angle doesn’t play with democrats – they all do it, apparently.
Vashta.Nerada on February 3, 2009 at 11:59 AM
New poster for Teh One’s cabinet.
How big is the target on Senator DeMint for the next election?
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on February 3, 2009 at 11:59 AM
Daschle still hasn’t paid all his taxes — NYT
Topsecretk9 on February 3, 2009 at 12:00 PM
One wonders at this point if Obama and his Chicago staff of punks simply don’t know anyone who pays their taxes.
Jaibones on February 3, 2009 at 12:02 PM
Dang that thing is an environmental hazard. He must have to add a quart of oil a week to that thing. He’s an environmentalist?
kerrhome on February 3, 2009 at 12:02 PM
Two Words: South Carolina
don’t worry about it
jp on February 3, 2009 at 12:03 PM
Ed — thanks for the video… priceless, especially given the circumstances. Perhaps he should have eschewed the limo and driver and held onto that Pontiac Ventura…
D2Boston on February 3, 2009 at 12:03 PM
It all makes sense now:
Obama is planning on paying for all of his campaign promises by nominating only those who have not paid hundreds of thousands of dollars in prior tax years. THAT’S where all the mystery money is coming from that will allow tax breaks for everyone else.
Frankly, we were blind to not see the brilliance of this plan earlier.
Ferris on February 3, 2009 at 12:03 PM
This is OT, but it does relate to Obama appointments. I just saw a report that Judd Gregg has accepted the appointment.
pannw on February 3, 2009 at 12:04 PM
If Geithner was nominated now, he would have to withdraw also…this is only the third week of Obama administration, just the third week and it is a disaster.
right2bright on February 3, 2009 at 12:05 PM
Even a lot of “conservatives” are saying Daschle’s tax evasion was an understandable oversight. But there seems to be a pattern emerging among Obortion’s picks. Every last one of them is a crook!
I was ecstatic when Daschel lost his senate seat. Let’s send him out to pasture a second time. What the heck are his qualifications anyway?
UltimateBob on February 3, 2009 at 12:05 PM
pannw on February 3, 2009 at 12:04 PM
Hope he paid his taxes.
getalife on February 3, 2009 at 12:06 PM
Since the MSM won’t ah, “comment” on Obama’s merry band of tax thieves, can the RNC start running ads about them all over America?
anniekc on February 3, 2009 at 12:06 PM
If Obama is truly serious about “transparency” in the federal government then, in light of this apparent tip of the iceberg, he should declare that every senator, congressman and other high-ranking person at the federal level (including himself) will be vetted to ensure that they’re all paying the taxes they owe. That would impress me!
Logic on February 3, 2009 at 12:08 PM
Actuall, Demint continues to impress. I heard him (on radio) take a principled, well-reasoned, sensible dissent against the TARP vote as well. Demint is a true conservative.
marybel on February 3, 2009 at 12:10 PM
that is a good ad, though..
Phoenician on February 3, 2009 at 12:11 PM
That guy’s gonna go places.
No wonder “GOP leaders” are upset with DeMint (as Politico tried to shovel on us) — he’s apparently doing the former’s job for them.
LastRick on February 3, 2009 at 12:11 PM
Three great states in our Republic: Alaska, Texas and South Carolina. Good on DeMint for standing up for what’s right.
chunderroad on February 3, 2009 at 12:11 PM
Do you think it would matter? They’ve already slaughtered their sacrificial lamb for their tax cheating. Obama would forgive Gregg, because he wants one less GOP Senator. Seems like he got it.
pannw on February 3, 2009 at 12:13 PM
obstruct the obstructionist… come on! Do it!
gatorboy on February 3, 2009 at 12:14 PM
Good going, Jim; keep holding their corruption to the fire of truth and law, for which they appear to need a little more respect….
DL13 on February 3, 2009 at 12:15 PM
FIFY
hawkdriver on February 3, 2009 at 12:15 PM
Oops, originalpechanga, that would be “Actually, Demint continues to impress.”
marybel on February 3, 2009 at 12:15 PM
pannw on February 3, 2009 at 12:13 PM
I think the line has been drawn on tax cheats.
Tom probably still has the votes to be confirmed because Senators watch each others backs.
getalife on February 3, 2009 at 12:15 PM
DeMint = new George Allen, less star power though.
jp on February 3, 2009 at 12:16 PM
Balls, and growing.
In the words of Yoda, “No, there is another.”
hawkdriver on February 3, 2009 at 12:16 PM
I think we could include Oklahoma in that list. Inhofe is a pretty good guy, too.
There was some talk that Gregg would only accept the nomination if the governor promised to replace him with a Republican. Does anyone know if that deal got done?
califcon on February 3, 2009 at 12:16 PM
Bad news for you, I just talked to Obama, and he said he doesn’t want to impress you…
I would love for that to happen, but the Senate and House would never, ever, buy into that…seems there is a little opaqueness to his transparency.
right2bright on February 3, 2009 at 12:16 PM
um, i am just NOT seeing the tactical goodness of barking abour tommy boy when you have ALREADY ALLOWED both geitner and holder to be SWORN IN …
/shrug
//and aren’t we overlooking the massive entertainment value potential of having puff daschle flame out hawking shillerycare 2.0?
Buckaroo on February 3, 2009 at 12:16 PM
OK, PEOPLE!!! NOw we all must call Senator Demint and thank him for this!!!!! He is also against the 2009 Generational Theft Act!!!! Call him and thank him!!!!!!!!!!!!
bloggless on February 3, 2009 at 12:19 PM
I’ve commented about this before. SC never changes senators, seriously. In 1966, Fritz Hollings and Strom Thurmonds held the two senate seats. Each of those seats has changed hands ONCE — Lindsey Graham took over Thurmond’s and DeMint was elected to Fritz’s. Two new senators in the past 80 years of service! If those two wanted to stay 40 years, they probably could. You couldn’t unseat either of them without a ton of money and a well-known state-wide Democrat: who would that be in SC? Clyburn? Still, that also means it would be tough to remove Graham if you wanted to toss the RINO for a real conservative like DeMint.
LastRick on February 3, 2009 at 12:21 PM
“a penny saved is a penny earned”???? They now have to change it to : a penny cheated is a penny cheated. You know lipstick on a pig.
bloggless on February 3, 2009 at 12:22 PM
Two things:
And you can also thank Senator DeMint by emailing him from his website — which is WELL worth a look anyway.
http://demint.senate.gov/public/
califcon on February 3, 2009 at 12:22 PM
As for Graham’s seat, Mark Sanford is in his last term as Gov. Just saying.
genso on February 3, 2009 at 12:23 PM
DeMint is fantastic. I get his email updates weekly, and he seems to be one of the few in DC willing to ever put up a fight. Excellent presidential potential in this man.
ErinF on February 3, 2009 at 12:26 PM
Even though he was later confirmed, this courtesy didn’t seem to matter much with the nomination hearings for John Ashcroft.
SouthernRoots on February 3, 2009 at 12:28 PM
Just got off of the phone with his office. They are definately in the receive mode.
hawkdriver on February 3, 2009 at 12:29 PM
Right…like all things bi-partisan, it only means for the GOP to concede.
genso on February 3, 2009 at 12:30 PM
That’s how Sen. DeMint complimented me back during the 2004 election when he visited our country GOP HQ in PA to rally support for the reelection of Sen. Santorum.
When I shook DeMint’s hand, I told him of my admiration for his work, as well as that of several others (by name) in Congress. His response: “You are a true conservative.”
What Sen. DeMint told us of the tireless work and research that Sen. Santorum had done re national security makes the loss of Santorum even more of a bitter pill.
I am glad to see/hear DeMint get out in front of the cameras and identify serious issues on behalf of our nation. It is not partisanship that guides him but a true patriot’s and servant’s heart/mind.
onlineanalyst on February 3, 2009 at 12:33 PM
Daschle arrives in ‘86 driving his ‘71 Pontiac and goes out with an annual limo service.
Served the people, or licked the lobbyists balls?
You decide.
fogw on February 3, 2009 at 12:34 PM
Oh, I can think of another job Governor Sanford can run for.
LastRick on February 3, 2009 at 12:35 PM
Man, I’m with you on that. Still, Graham’s seat will be a fallback two years later if he doesn’t go for the gold. I wouldn’t THAT disappointed to keep him here.
genso on February 3, 2009 at 12:38 PM
Nothing like a herd of Democratic tax cheats, in full stampede, to drive the leftard trolls to near complete silence in these threads.
Must be more difficult to spin when the quilty say “yes, I did it, but I’m so-o-o-o sorry (that I got caught)”.
Yoop on February 3, 2009 at 12:40 PM
Here again, Jim DeMint leads by example, while McConnell, McCain and other fake leaders hide under the desk. time to hose out the GOP caucus, seriously.
james23 on February 3, 2009 at 12:41 PM
It’s too damn bad, given Graham’s snuggling up to Barry’s butt, that Graham wasn’t pegged for a cabinet position instead of Gregg.
genso on February 3, 2009 at 12:41 PM
fogw, always remember tommy boy’s wife is a top lobbyist …
[!!]
Buckaroo on February 3, 2009 at 12:42 PM
Good point, original! What deficit? Just get high ranking Democrats to pay taxes.
eucher on February 3, 2009 at 12:42 PM
“LastRick on February 3, 2009 at 12:35 PM”
GO MARK GO!
:-)
Buckaroo on February 3, 2009 at 12:43 PM
Apparently,BO must not have vetted Daschle and these other tax cheats very well. These guys need to live by the same rules as we have to.
la.rt.wngr on February 3, 2009 at 12:43 PM
Deadbeat Daschle should hit the road before he does more damage to the Obamessiah. But he’s too arrogant to do that. He’s just salivating over having control over a trillion dollar HHS budge and from there control over one seventh of the economy. The fact that he’s still in the game, let alone that he was chosen in the first case, is a testament to the executive inexperience of Mr. Obama.
eaglewingz08 on February 3, 2009 at 12:43 PM
“la.rt.wngr on February 3, 2009 at 12:43 PM”
um, i’m still waiting for BO to be vetted!
:-0
Buckaroo on February 3, 2009 at 12:46 PM
Yes, I’m sure you’re correct about that.
Logic on February 3, 2009 at 12:47 PM
You see inexperience causing these SNAFUs, I see an arrogant group who think they are completely insulated from being analyzed by the media.
hawkdriver on February 3, 2009 at 12:48 PM
12:48 PM: DASCHLE WITHDRAWS!!!!!!
n0doz on February 3, 2009 at 12:49 PM
withdrawn!
CookeyD on February 3, 2009 at 12:49 PM
FOX reporting ………. Daschle withdraws.
BWAAAHAAAHAAA
fogw on February 3, 2009 at 12:49 PM
From what I’ve seen, DeMint is much cagier, much better on his feet. He took it to Bawney Fwank on the Sunday show last week.
james23 on February 3, 2009 at 12:50 PM
Bring on the next tax cheat.
bloggless on February 3, 2009 at 12:50 PM
DeMint speaks, Obama listens. I like where this is going.
genso on February 3, 2009 at 12:50 PM
Like saving jobs is as good as creating a job, I suppose getting some crook lib to pay their taxes they owed in the first place is as good as lowering yours.
Win, win situation.
It just keeps getting gooder.
hawkdriver on February 3, 2009 at 12:51 PM
Is it too late to reconsider the Tax Cheat running IRS?
james23 on February 3, 2009 at 12:51 PM
“james23 on February 3, 2009 at 12:51 PM”
sadly, yes …
Buckaroo on February 3, 2009 at 12:51 PM
The Obama Circus continues to entertain.
They have promised to open a ninth ring, as soon as they can get Daschle’s carcass out from under the clown car.
Yoop on February 3, 2009 at 12:52 PM
Bring on the stimulus plan.
fogw on February 3, 2009 at 12:52 PM
Did he really.
WOOT WOOT!!!
Now how bout a retroactive resignation by Tim Geightner!!!
hawkdriver on February 3, 2009 at 12:53 PM
dashchle is gone
ousoonerfan15 on February 3, 2009 at 12:54 PM
Do you think right about now, they’re pulling Demint’s tax returns?
bloggless on February 3, 2009 at 12:55 PM
this is really important and good for republicans. Daschle was going to DESTROY the US healthcare system.
ousoonerfan15 on February 3, 2009 at 12:56 PM
Don’t let the golden limousine door hit you on the way out, Tom.
Cheshire Cat on February 3, 2009 at 12:56 PM
If not Daschle, then who?
bloggless on February 3, 2009 at 12:58 PM
He has withdrawn!!
ej_pez on February 3, 2009 at 1:01 PM
I have to agree with the minority opinion in this thread. The Senate should just give Obi the One blanket confirmation for all his appointments. Then stock up on popcorn and watch the fireworks, explosions, and collapse of the light(weight)-worker.
Ace ODale on February 3, 2009 at 1:06 PM
1-800-829-0433 # to call irs to report tax cheats
http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f3949a.pdf
form to use
UNREPENTANT CONSERVATIVE CAPITOLIST on February 3, 2009 at 1:20 PM
DNC: Let’s get that uppity DeMint.
whitetop on February 3, 2009 at 1:43 PM
Er, is there supposed to be audio with that YouTube video?
Paul_in_NJ on February 3, 2009 at 2:02 PM
There is justice. BWAAAAHAAAAHAAAHAAA.
But really all that means is that Deadbeat Daschle will continue to lobby his friends in Congress for millions. But the Health Care system dodged one bullet.
eaglewingz08 on February 3, 2009 at 2:51 PM
Write your congressional representatives to demand tax audits of every nominee and high-level advisor in the Obama administration.
notagool on February 3, 2009 at 3:18 PM
With Geithner in charge, they can audit anyone they want, but I wouldn’t exactly trust the results. You know how easy it is to make mistakes . . .
califcon on February 3, 2009 at 3:28 PM
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