Obama's first failed appointment

[TheMercenary]

Thanks, you can't show me.

Originally Posted by TheMercenary

Thanks, you can't show me.

You're absolutely right.

And if you want to make the case that there is no change because Obama did not make 7,000+ appointments in two weeks, I wont argue with you.

[TheMercenary]

Originally Posted by Redux

You're absolutely right.

And if you want to make the case that there is no change because Obama did not make 7,000+ appointments in two weeks, I wont argue with you.

Ok, where are they and how do they differ from what any president did before him? Certainly you don't think that anyone other than his cronnies didn't do that work? Seriously now.

Originally Posted by TheMercenary

Ok, where are they and how do they differ from what any president did before him? Certainly you don't think that anyone other than his cronnies didn't do that work? Seriously now.

If this is the level of discussion I've come back too, I'll pass.

I think I laid out the facts (with citations) pretty well.

I would just urge you one more time to read the report on Bush's IGs (majpority political)vs Clinton's IGs (majority professionals with legal/audit/investigation experience) If I could find the data, I suspect Bush Sr and Reagan's, like most previous presidents looked much more like Clinton's than Bush's.

[TheMercenary]

The reality my friend is that nothing has Changed.

Originally Posted by TheMercenary

The reality my friend is that nothing has Changed.

I suspect that will be the buzzword over the next four years for the 20-30% of the population who may now feel marginalized by Obama's election and are unwilling to even wait beyond two weeks before making such a sweeping declaration.

Hey, thats fine with me!

I'll be happy to continue to cite my posts for others, but dont expect it for responses such as your last few. It would be a waste of my time.

[classicman]

I think that it is way too early to determine anything conclusive about anything this administration is doing/has done. However, there have been some interesting developments so far.

The power struggle between the Pelosi/Reid congress & the Obama Administration.

The "stimulus bill" that may or may not really be all that stimulating.

The appointments with serious tax issues. Daschle was very demonstrative in helping get Obama elected. Obama owes him politically.

The transparency/change in the way this administration operates.

There are more, both good and ??? - lets see what happens.

[classicman]

Originally Posted by Redux

I'll be happy to continue to cite my posts ~snip~

welcome back - good info - good debate.

[classicman]

Tom Daschle, slammed for not paying taxes, withdraws nomination

In a major blow to the Obama administration, former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle has withdrawn his nomination to be secretary of Health and Human Services. The president accepted his decision "with sadness and regret."

Daschle, who was under pressure from critics on Capitol Hill who assailed him for failing to pay $146,000 in back taxes for items including a limousine and driver, said that he did not want to be a distraction for President Obama.

But with South Carolina Republican Jim DeMint calling for him to withdraw, Daschle -- one of the president's earliest supporters -- told supporters he could felt the damage to his reputation would also hurt his influence in winning passage of major healthcare reform, a key Obama plank.

And it likely did not help his case that another Obama appointee, Nancy Killefer, withdrew her nomination today for a far smaller amount of nanny taxes, totaling less than $1,000.

Excellent. Too bad Geitner got though. I think he should do the right thing and step down also.
If this is a new way to run Washington, then let it be so.

[glatt]

Originally Posted by classicman

Excellent.

If you like seeing the administration falter in its first days in office, I suppose you would think it's excellent.

[Clodfobble]

I don't necessarily think that it's a sign the administration is faltering, myself. If scandals come out and there are consequences (nominees are quickly shown the door,) I see that as a positive thing.

[sugarpop]

In Tom Daschle's case, I think it was an honest mistake. Sarah Palin didn't claim her husband's or children's travel expenses on her taxes, and they are not supposed to be free. She still hasn't fixed that mistake. No one is reaming her for that. (I know, she isn't running for anything now. But some republicans want her to be the leader of the party, and she was running as VP of the United States. So how is it different?)

Tom Daschle came clean about it when he realized the mistake, and he paid more than he had to. He paid the interest. We are missing out on a someone who could really do a lot of good.

I don't know about Geitner. I missed what happened there.

[tw]

Originally Posted by glatt

If you like seeing the administration falter in its first days in office, I suppose you would think it's excellent.

It really is silly and irrelevant. Obama probably owes Daschle some political favors. If so, those debts have been paid.

Meanwhile, Daschle does not have a very good track record as a leader. These tax problems may have saved us from another political hack. Daschle did reconnaissance picture analysis in the Air Force. He was even one of the few given pictures of Saddam's WMDs. Those pictures showed nothing. Daschle should have known that. Instead, Daschle supported George Jr's lies about Saddam's WMDs.

A good leader should have some credibility and honesty. The former Senate Democratic leader even lied about Saddam's WMDs. His withdrawal from consideration is probably a good thing for America. It says little to nothing about Obama. A responsible Tom Daschle would have told the truth back then about George Jr. Daschle’s problems are of his own making. So he is now doing what Dan Quayle did. Yes, similar credibility.

[classicman]

Originally Posted by glatt

If you like seeing the administration falter in its first days in office, I suppose you would think it's excellent.

Sorry I meant it was good that the people who were not paying their taxes or whatever were stepping aside. I think its the right thing and a stark change from the past.

[classicman]

Originally Posted by sugarpop

Tom Daschle came clean about it when he realized the mistake, and he paid more than he had to. He paid the interest. We are missing out on a someone who could really do a lot of good.

I don't know about Geitner. I missed what happened there.

I think the timing of Daschle's "realization" was a lot circumspect. It seemed to happen in conjunction with an impending appointment.

He was forced to do the right thing in the end and thats the positive out of the situation. I (looks for lightning) agree with tw here - Daschle was not a good choice for the position. Not if Obama wants to change the "business as usual" mentality of this administration.