Just when I had given up on the Obamystique . . .

Dr. Dean, Please !

I’m glad he withdrew.

I want all of our congresscritters to get audited. stat.

all of ‘em.

This dragged out for longer than was necessary and I thought he was going to be confirmed.

Did The Grey Lady deliver the Kiss of Death ?

Yes ! Putting a competent Doctor in charge of H.H.S … what a wacky idea !

ditto

Bodes well for Obama’s credibility – too bad Daschle didn’t end this sooner then later. He sure had me fooled lo these many years.

how about Dr. Phil?

Excellent! The spotlight by you and Glenn has miraculous powers! thank you!

I imagine if Obama stonewalled it — as Bush would have — the Senate would have been hard pressed not to confirm former member of the “club” Daschle.

Dr. Dean .

second that

Take the limo back to K Street, scumbag.

Dr. Dean to the White House courtesy phone, please.

Did the tax payment check clear yet?

YES!!! I read comments in the NYT this morning, and they were overwhelmingly in agreement with the editor’s position.

I honestly thought that’s what was happening and am glad to see Daschle step aside.

We don’t need a competent doctor in charge of HHS. We need a competent schmoozer. Healthcare reform is going to require cooperation from Congress and Industry. Daschle was the perfect guy, but Obama has boxed himself in with his silly anti-lobbyist rhetoric during the campaign. Finding people pure as the driven snow who know what they’re doing is fantasyland.

Dean. Yes. An ethical realist…what a notion.

*spew*

Yikes! The power goes out for less than an hour and comes back on with this news. May be I should start sleeping with one eye open.

TP:

MSNBC’s Andrea Mitchell reports that Daschle was “tearful and overwrought” when she spoke to him today.

second that!

Any medical economics reform that requires cooperation from industry is not worth doing.

my question is when is someone going to investigate some of those repubs they are to sleazy not to have a lot of problems besides sex and i am listening to some of these so and so’s that are so high and mighty have for eight years have torn this country apart and and so to speak drove the bus into the dirt and now they are trying to keep it there i wrote topres. obama and congratulated him and at the same time i told him some these same things would happen those decendents of slave holders will never give him peace their upbringing is too deep inbred

second that!

referring to dr gov dean of course!

Tearful and overwrought?

Will Bunch on WMNF rat now talking about his new book. Click on the Listen Live link at top right of the page.

OMG … paging Mr. Boner !

OMG. There’s a red headed reporter on cnn, whose colorist must have to wear sunglasses.

But how do you feel about that idea? :]

Maybe Obama is planning to get rid of income taxes altogether, I mean, just making it official for all of us? Who knows?

Love it … nothing wrong with a 300- Pound Gorilla selling Weight Loss Products …

You have to know IOKIYAR
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/…..63237.html

it’s one fifth of the American economy, so there’s no choice.

LOL.

Hey, Andrea Mitchell eulogizing Daschle now…I mean I like the guy but he’s not dead yet. Ack! Trent Lott now!

ew.

Let it get worse so the right thing gets done later, instead of doing the wrong thing now.

Republics should be applauding people who fail to pay taxes. It’s personal suppy-side economics in action.

Could Bill Frist be far behind – “… now this is just a video analysis, but I don’t believe this nomination is dead as yet”

Frick frack. Lott talking about impossible standards, we all make mistakes. puke.

Pay your taxes for crying out loud. I’m not kidding. I want all congresspeople to open their kimonos. think of what back taxes would do for our deficit!

Me too.

u funny

Richardson withdrew
Kilefer his Performance Officer just withdrew over household help taxes
Daschle withdrew taxes
Holder confirmed but with questions
Geithner confirmed but with questions over taxes
Clinton confirmed questions about Bill’s library donors

Not exactly the way you’d like to start.

I guess you missed what Dr. Dean has done with the DNC all these years.

Thanks for playin’, though !

Oh dearie me. The medical lobbiests are saying that anyone not associated with them doesn’t know the industry and therefore can’t head HHS.

meeeoow.

Daschle shouldn’t have been nominated in the first place
talk about pay for play

tell that to the people with pre-existing conditions.

Poor Gibbs doing the briefing in 15 minutes.

Interesting that……what was her next to last transmission? Flaying the hide off Daschle?

What have they been told for the past decade?

Good grief … that guy is giving me Diabetes.

must be a cross reaction to too many prescription drugs

I stand by my self-isolating incestuous Beltway rose-colored blindered description from the last thread….

Well, are we going by O standards or w standards? *g*

Yes ! Putting a competent Doctor in charge of H.H.S … what a wacky idea !

I don’t get why Dean has been put into the deep freeze; he must have talked about somebody’s momma or something.

His insistence on a 50 state strategy, along with how he revolutionized fund raising was the backbone of Obama’s win.

I’ve read Rahm doesn’t like him, but to the point where he can’t get a job in Washington with this administration?

two energy lobbyists saying lobbying is ok and necessary. news you can use.

How do we get a petition going to nominate Dr. Dean?

Thanks Jane.

digg

Lina,

Sorry to be abrupt, but I’ve focused on the economic ills of the medical industry for 18 years, so I know the arguements and I know the urgent need. The difference between you and me, I suspect, is that you think any “reform” will be good, and I think there’s a fair chance that a “fix” under Obama will not be productive.

Excellent idea !

Jobs! Talk about jobs creation…get H&R Block on the mall with all those pols getting their tax audits done. Special task force.

But if this had been a Republican Administration none of those issues would have been raised…or at least the voluntary payment of the taxes would have been sufficient. Most of the issues would not have made the light of day.

Personally I hope that Obama uses this to bring the antiseptic light onto the whole Washington charade of “off-budget” perks and gifts…not only to politicians, but to lobbyists who later enter government. All these folks who receive government salaries and contracts need to have IRS audits undertaken. If they receive our tax dollars it should be incumbent that they pay their share of taxes. If they are working for exclusions to the tax codes we, as members of the public, need to know precisely how much they are benefitting from those cuts. This should also apply to members of the News Media that are pushing tax cuts to the public (Charlie Gibson, are YOU listening?).

Gregg appointment announced
deal is to appoint Newman

Maybe there was a deal to give Dean a little downtime between the phenomenally successful campaign and a plum major PBO admin appointment.

I’m pleased to hear this. What is it with wealthy politicians and their taxes, anyway? Can’t these guys use those tax preparers that have the kids walking around in the Statue of Liberty costumes? They seem good.

Looks like the double-standard is alive and well, just as it was for Clinton and Bush. Death by a thousand cuts. That’s the MSM/Thug way until they can get something real on ‘that one.’

Another one bites the dust. Bet Obama is kicking Biden for that “paying taxes is patriotic” crack. Not looking like a very patriotic administration so far.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vaF0a3Uyn2U

Paging Dr. Dean….

Was listening to local talk radio while running errands around Fargo and the conversation about Daschle was brutal.

After reading the NYT article this morning it pains me to say that this ugly episode may come back to haunt Senators who staunchly supported him. This was an example of ugly Beltway self-isolating incestuous rose-colored blinders at its worst. Ugly, ugly, ugly.

Shame on Daschle for the past several days. It reinforces to me one more reason why he would have been a disaster heading up HHS. His crisis management was pathetic.

Hey, I lifted it up here for more fun.

Yes, I too was listening to talk radio, although yours is probably more tasty coming from Dashle’s home state. People are angry, angry, angry about these economic times, facing losing their jobs, homes, 401k, and learning these jerks are skipping out on their taxes. not just daschle.

They are also incensed that anyone is still listening to Limbaugh’s little senators. The outrage we have been waiting for is surfacing and finding its voice. imo

ROFLMAO. good one. love a dry sense of humor…

Are you serious about

But if this had been a Republican Administration none of those issues would have been raised

?

If this were a Republican, they would have been ripped to shreds, and then kicked by the media for a week afterward.

You’re right. They let Big Pharma write Medicare Part D. Both years my mom was on it, she hit the initial coverage limit in May. I know people with really expensive meds reach it in January or February. If I could afford the modern treatments (after reaching the I.C.L.) for my R.A., I would be one of them.

We have been hearing lately about the CITI former CEO flying to Mexico on a corporate jet. Has anyone checked his tax returns to see if that was reported as income? I am sure that CITI has been writing the plane and associated expenses off on its taxes.

Gad, next you’ll want them to hire documented workers for their household staff.

Heh.

Nah…Zoe Baird is SO 1993.

This all circles back to the Big Cash In after serving in Congress.

Even though he wasn’t officially a ‘lobbyist’, he wasn’t getting 3 mil a year for his good looks or squash game.

I was never a big fan of Daschle’s while in Congress. I thought he was ineffective and a wuss as minority leader, and let BushCo get away with far too much. I know his hands were tied being in the minority, but he could’ve spoken out more forcefully to the nation about the atrocities that were happening at the time.

Just look at the Republicans. Hate them or hate them (and I do) they don’t let a little thing like minority status get in the way of their messaging, now do they?

Bush played Daschle like a cheap Banjo after 9/11 and then spearheaded his defeat by Thune.

You’d think Reid would have learned something from that …

707!

I got a call during Clinton for a possible CEA position. Don’t know how far it would have gone, but I had an “issue,” so I declined to apply. It was after Kimba Wood.

Don’t know why these guys don’t do what I did. Well, yes I do know. Hubris. Thinks either they won’t get caught or they’ll bull thru it if they do. Geithner proves the wisdom of that attitude.

Howard Dean, please.

Err…how does it bode well for Obama when he stood behind Daschle in spite of his being a tax cheater? How does it bode well for Obama when he supported and got a tax cheat banker buddy (Geithner) as Treasury Secretary in charge of sending tax dollars to his bestest buddies in finance and banking?

I’m from NORTH Dakota. Daschle, SOUTH Dakota.

headdesk.

sorry! I feel your pain. I’m from North California.

There’s always Karen Ignagni. /s

Doctor/Governor Dean assumed the office at the death of the governor AND then ran and won 5 elections of 2 year terms. As Governor he probably had a larger budget than HHS, he put in place a universal health care plan for children 200-300 above poverty much like the current SCHIP bill.

Howard Dean has always been a proponent for universal health care and single payer. Then went on to create a movement which is still an active grassroots organization called Democracy for America which is in all 50 states and in 40 countries.

Then he ran the DNC 50 state strategy against strong opposition from the DeeCee beltway. Under Dean’s chairmanship Democrats won in 2006 & 2008 AND in the black….

Be careful what you ask for …

For all we know, Gov. Dean Probably has his own Tax Problem …

Heck, ALL these politicians have their own form of Tax Problem no matter how trivial it might be …

More ditto, late.

Okay, how about misty-eyed and wrought?

Randy?

I am just having more darn fun down here all by myself alone. Wheee!

Maybe it’s time to vet candidates? Even those who’ve already been elected? An idea whose time has come?

Randy Newman…wouldn’t that be fun…

unfortunately Bonnie -former chief of staff to Gregg…and probably not randy at all.

Folks it was not just Daschle’s tax issues,it his other activites where use of a corp plane was involved to fly he & his wife.Moreover I am sick of hearing Daschle’s friends spout how good a guy he was,well he was also a very greedy man.You would think that this guy, Daschle,did not have enough money.Now look for he & his wife to go work for the health insurance side.Shameless.

I like Dr. Dean, too. He’d be perfect. The trouble is going to be getting him past Rahm Emanuel, who hates his guts.

For those who want to whine about the Clinton era appointees in the Obama administration, the talent pool is pretty darn thin from that era, e.g., Daschle, Edwards, Richardson, the Clintons etc. So as far as Richardson and Daschle are concerned, good riddance. And we don’t have Robert Rubin to deal with again.

Well, nothing is going to get done until the insurance companies get kicked out and the US self-insures it’s people’s medical bills. That the real answer. Covering everyone equally and then buying insurance is redundant, stupid and a poor use of the labor involved in processing the paperwork. As anyone with serious knowledge of risk management.
So, Obama can name Daffy Duck to head HHS and it will turn out the same…Teddy will die and we won’t have a decent health care program.

I meant to say…

So, Obama can name DR. Daffy Duck to head HHS and it will turn out the same…Teddy will die and we won’t have a decent health care program.

obama owed daschle a favor – now paid in full. obama must have know this is how it would come down the pike – now he can nominate someone viable.

(snip)

In the immediate aftermath of the September 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, Daschle schemed with the White House to organize a bailout for the domestic airline industry — for which Daschle’s wife was a lobbyist — that made last fall’s Wall Street bailout look like a model of fiscal accountability.

Then, Daschle worked with the Bush administration to undermine opposition to the Patriot Act in 2001 — preventing Wisconsin Senator Russ Feingold from introducing amendments that would have addressed vital civil liberties concerns.

A year later, Daschle worked in lockstep with the administration to secure congressional authorization in 2002 for an attack on Iraq.

(snip)

Rejected by voters in his homestate and unable to compete nationally, Daschle pulled a Dick Cheney move. The South Dakotan attached himself to the campaign of a viable contender in hopes that he might find a path to power as a member of the next Democratic administration.

Daschle worked hard for Obama, using all his dubious DC connections to advance the campaign at points where the freshman senator from Illinois was battling Hillary Clinton for the Democratic nod.

more salient facts here

http://www.thenation.com/blogs…..l=hp_picks

Daschle’s ethics-challenged and lobbyist-filled past made him wrong for Obama’s cabinet and doubly wrong to lead the fight for greatly expanded health care coverage. I’m glad he’s out, regardless of the fig leaf chosen to explain it.

I’d have to look at Howard Dean’s stances on healthcare policy again, but at first glance I agree that he’d probably be a good choice. He has political acumen, administrative experience, and he has a medical background.

Then again, I thought Daschle was an adequate choice until I read Greenwald’s article and did some digging. Fool me once, shame on you, etc.

Well, then, how about appointing Bill Clinto to HHS and let him pick up where Hillary left off with healthcare? /s

clintoN. How quickly they forget . . .

Is it true that Daschle is going to open up a K Street Stretch-Limo Service for Health Care Lobbyists between K Street NW and the Capitol?

I mean, it’s the LEAST he could do 5 million dollars.

His airline industry lobbbyist wife is also trying to get permission for a helocopter service on the same route. This service would be for those lobbyists in hurry, or prestige conscious.

The last high ranking TRUE public servant was Tip O’Neill – as poor when he left Congress as when he arrived 30+ years earlier.

I KNOW Public Servants, and Tom Dashcle is NO public servant. Tom Daschle serves HIMSELF.

Good Post, thanks.

Too religious. His wife following 10 steps behind him, figuratively.