Bombshell withdrawals rock Obama administration

AFP on Yahoo ^ | 2/3/09 | Stephen Collinson

[NormsRevenge]

WASHINGTON (AFP) – Two of President Barack Obama's top picks for government jobs sensationally withdrew Tuesday, in bombshell announcements which rocked his young administration and tested his vow to clean up politics.

Tom Daschle, the nominee to lead Obama's ambitious healthcare reform and Nancy Killefer, his choice for budget watchdog both quit after becoming engulfed in storms over past unpaid taxes.

The departures were the first grave challenge to Obama's administration, distracted from his effort to force his huge economic stimulus plan through Congress and called his promise of a new era of ethical politics into question.

"This morning, Tom Daschle asked me to withdraw his nomination for Secretary of Health and Human Services," Obama said in a written statement.

"I accept his decision with sadness and regret."

"Tom has made a mistake, which he has openly acknowledged. He has not excused it, nor do I," Obama said, saying the former senate majority leader had devoted his life to public service and health care reform.

"Now we must move forward with our plan to lift this economy and put people back to work."

Daschle said he had decided to withdraw his name because he did not want to be a distraction for Obama's ambitious plans to reform healthcare.

"We need the best care in America to be available to all Americans," Daschle said in the statement issued from the White House.

"Lives and livelihoods are at stake."

Daschle's decision emerged hours after Obama's nominee for White House budget czar Nancy Killefer withdrew her nomination, reportedly over her failure to pay past unemployment taxes for household help.

[nickcarraway]

Taxes are for the little people.

[Carley]

Just Chicago style politics.

[NormsRevenge]

Put some ice on it, Tommy.

U.S. President-elect Barack Obama introduces former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (R) as Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services during a news conference in Chicago, in this file photo from December 11, 2008. Daschle withdrew his nomination as President Barack Obama's health secretary February 3, 2009, saying he did not want to be a distraction after paying $140,000 in back taxes. REUTERS/Jeff Haynes/Files (UNITED STATES)

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Former U.S. Sen. Tom Daschle (D-SD) testifies before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing about his confirmation for Secretary of Health and Human Services on Capitol Hill in Washington, in this file photo from January 8, 2009. Daschle withdrew his nomination as President Barack Obama's health secretary February 3, 2009, saying he did not want to be a distraction after paying $140,000 in back taxes. REUTERS/Larry Downing/Files (UNITED STATES)

[Paladin2]

"I accept his decision with sadness and regret."

What a F******%%^$#@@@*!ing liar!

[icwhatudo]

2? Someone forgetting Richardson? Its 3 MSM...3!!!

[SJSAMPLE]

No job, and he STILL had to pay the taxes, interest and penalties.

Like the Fed guy, he only paid his taxes because he wanted this job.
If he was never mentioned by Obama, he would’ve let the unpaid taxes slide.

[Interesting Times]

...tested his vow to clean up politics.

Ah, no. These events have exposed the dishonesty of Obama's campaign pledge to clean up politics, not "tested his vow."

[Palladin]

Crooks and more crooks!

Throw them ALL in jail!

[NormsRevenge]

Tom Daschle, the nominee to lead Obama's ambitious healthcare reform and Nancy Killefer, his choice for budget watchdog seen here in January 2009, sensationally withdrew Tuesday, in bombshell announcements which rocked President Barack Obama's young administration and tested his vow to clean up politics. (AFP/File/Mandel Ngan)

[Frank_Discussion]

These resignations are having the same effect as Palestinian ‘work accidents’. :)

[freeangel]

“he did not want to be a distraction...”

BS He didn’t want them to delve any deeper into his wifes stuff.

[InterceptPoint]

Obama, having totally escaped the normal vetting process personally, seems to be assuming that he can transfer this teflon-like characteristic to as many Democrat gangsters as he likes. But it's not happening and it is making a mess of his first month on the job.

So much for CHANGE. Not that anyone here is surprised. Nor will we be surprised when things get worse. Get ready Sarah, we're going to need you.

[TexasNative2000]

"No question about it....he's lying."

[wxgesr]

Thank you, I take partial credit. I actually e-mailed both Senators today and voiced my disdain for tax cheats, so it must’ve worked!

I think I will ask my boss for a raise, I am on a roll!

[NormsRevenge]

It’s like watching the Keystone Kops in action.

[Augustinian monk]

Obama was like a third party here who did the right thing in the end. Thats how the story was explained to me.

[Buffalowolf]

Well good riddance to trash like whinny, snottie nose bed wetter Tom “Duschbag” Daschle and Nancy Killefer another stuck up “I'm to good to pay taxes” moron that this brain damaged fruit that we are forced to call “President”.
How many more liars and thieves are the American people are going to have forced down their throats?

[MortMan]

Two of President Barack Obama's top picks for government jobs sensationally withdrew Tuesday, in bombshell announcements which rocked his young administration and tested his vow to clean up politics.

Note to idiot writer: The NOMINATIONS already BROKE his vow to clean up politics. Not to mention the other ethically challenged buttheads who have been confirmed!

[MrB]

Not just tax cheats,

but tax cheats advocating higher taxes on others.

[Junior_G]

Is Daschle not the least bit embarrassed by the stupid Sally Jesse Raphael glasses on his face?

[woollyone]

That's the money you could be saving, like Geithner!

GEITHNER!

[woollyone]

someone needs to photoshop the GEICO cash pile on the faces of the income tax dodgers.

Sounds like a job for REGISTERED

[EDINVA]

Did Daschle as a Senator ever meet ONE tax he didn’t love?

This is really delicious, showing their sanctimonious ‘for thee but not for me’ attitude.

[tx_eggman]

in bombshell announcements which rocked President Barack Obama's young inept, already Carter-esque administration

[Gator113]

Tommy’s Terrible Tuesday makes me laugh out loud.

[Always Independent]

Time to put the screws and spotlight on Charlie Rangel tax problems if the pubs want to get movement on lowering taxes.

I guess the Democrats created their own tax cut. Just don’t pay them.

[JenB987]

Wasn’t this the same media that tore an ordinary dude from Ohio apart for his tax leins, simply for asking a fair question?

Here they make Tommy Tax Cheat sound like some fallen hero...

[Southack]

So do we also count Blagojevich’s impeachment for filling 0bama’s Senate seat and Caroline Kennedy’s withdrawal for not paying nanny taxes (scheduled to replace Clinton’s Senate seat due to Hillary being appointed by 0bama as SoS)?!

[chimera]

Hell yes. I say count them all. And blame them all squarely on Obama, just like the 'Rats blamed every little thing on Bush (and these are no little things).

I must admit to some (perhaps diabolical) sense of satisfaction to see these smug, self-righteous, egotistical SOBs go down in flames. I hope they all crash and burn.

[Lurker]

He has not excused it, nor do I," Obama said,

WTF does that mean exactly? Will Little Tommy be prosecuted? Is a Grand Jury empaneled to 'get to the bottom of it'?

Has some idiot Senator called for hearings?

This clown of a President makes it sound like Daschle farted and didn't mouth the proper words, not commit multiple Tax Felonies over the course of several years.

L

[Question_Assumptions]

Now if only his Treasury Secretary would resign...

[kcvl]

Obama said, saying the former senate majority leader had devoted his life to public service and health care reform.

That is complete and total BS!

I get so sick of hearing that statement when it is so dishonest. They devoted their lives to lining their pockets (and that of their family, friends), period. Most of them have never had a real job that didn't include influence peddling.

[N. Theknow]

Now if only his Treasury Secretary would resign...

You must be joking.

His problem was a total catastrophic failure of TurboTax to recognize he had entered false information.

Tune in next week for more Geithner Twilight Zone moments in "The Computer Must Have Screwed Up While My Dog Was Eating My W-2 and W-3 Forms."

< /sarcasm >

[StAntKnee]

“Tom has made a mistake, which he has openly acknowledged. He has not excused it, nor do I,” Obama said, saying the former senate majority leader had devoted his life to public service and health care reform.”

If mr obama does not excuse it, why would he abide it.

Imagine the points he might have gotten by standing up for integrity.

This is not the obama I knew . . . oh, wait. Yes, it is.

[MileHi]

So THAT’S where Gretas’ bags went!

[Minn]

Thank God the bloom is finally coming off this hideous rose. It must really pain the MSM to have to report imperfections.

[papasmurf]

Going, going, gone!

[RipSawyer]

Schadenfreude, oh how sweet is schadenfreude! I revel in it like a three year old playing with a puppy in a pile of fallen leaves! Ain’t I disgraceful?

[GulfWar1Vet]

ROFL...Daschleass is so freaking sad!

[chimera]

Yes, you're so terrible and mean-spirited, I'm deeply saddened (not). You just want them to fail, I know...

(Psssst! So do I...;-))

[Lee N. Field]

Tom Daschle, Bill Lumberg. Separated at birth?