Das(chl)ed Hopes

Or Daschled dreams. Whatever. so Tom Daschle dropped out today, along with yet another Obama nominee with a problem with paying taxes, Nancy Killefer. She only managed to neglect to pay taxes for an employee – gee where have we heard that before. Daschle amanage to run up a massive $140,000 or so in unpaid taxes and penalties. Killefer is a piker in that crowd.

Yet, there does seem to be a real problem in the Obama administration – they pick some people with very shady dealings in their recent past. Nope. No double standard here.

“I appointed these folks. I think they are outstanding people. I think Tom Daschle, as an example, could have led this health care effort, a difficult effort, better than just about anybody. But as he acknowledged, it was a mistake. I don’t think it was intentional on his part, but it was a serious mistake. He owned up to it and ultimately made a decision that we couldn’t afford the distraction.”

Obama added, “I’ve got to own up to my mistake. Ultimately, it’s important for this administration to send a message that there aren’t two sets of rules, one for prominent people and one for ordinary folks who have to pay their taxes.”

Ahem. Timothy Franz Geithner, the new secretary of the treasury, managed to avoid paying taxes until caught and still is the secretary of the treasury. No double standard? If you – my readers – and I were to not bother to pay taxes, do any of us think that the full might and power of the IRS would descend on our heads?

Do you think you would get a plum appointment if you behaved in the same fashion?

So, Daschle, Killefer, Geithner and Richardson – so far. Only one has made it through the process and secured a nomination.

Want to bet there will be more revaluations real soon?

Side question: since Joe “Who?” Biden proclaimed the paying of taxes as patriotic, can we infer that these failed nominees are less than patriotic?

Inquiring minds want to know.