[Flashback]Obama: 'I Screwed Up' Daschle Withdrawal 'There Aren’t Two Sets Of rules' [Healthcare?]

msnbc.com ^ | Feb. 3, 2009 | msnbc.com

[Son House]

"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 — you know, one for prominent people and one for ordinary folks who have to pay their taxes," Obama said on NBC’s "Nightly News with Brian Williams."

"I'm frustrated with myself, with our team. ... I'm here on television saying I screwed up," Obama said on NBC. He repeated virtually the same words in interviews with other TV anchors.

Worried about 'a distraction' Daschle said in a brief letter to Obama that he refused to "be a distraction" from the new president's drive for health care reform. Obama said neither he nor Daschle excused the former Senate Democratic leader's tax errors but that he accepted his friend's decision "with sadness and regret."

Last week, the Senate confirmed Timothy Geithner as treasury secretary, but only after days of controversy over the fact that the man who would oversee the Internal Revenue Service had only belatedly paid $34,000 in income taxes.

Questions about Daschle's failure to fully pay his taxes from 2005 through 2007 had been increasing since they came to light last Friday. Daschle overlooked taxes on income for consulting work and personal use of a car and driver, and also deducted more in charitable contributions than he should have. To resolve it, he paid $128,203 in back taxes and $11,964 in interest last month.

“Today was an embarrassment for us,” Obama said on NBC. He said he was “angry,” “disappointed” and “frustrated with myself” over the Daschle episode.

Daschle was going to wear two hats for Obama, as White House health czar on top of the post leading the Health and Human Services Department.

[Son House]

Obama said on NBC. He said he was “angry,” “disappointed” and “frustrated with myself” over the Daschle episode.

. “angry,” “disappointed” and “frustrated", If Daschle caused Obama this much anxiety, Healthcare has probably really taken a toll.

. White House health czar

Another Czar? Well, Obama could still appoint Daschle to this position, he is that important, like Geithner...

. This is an excerpt, full article at link, second part is linked at bottom of article

[bmwcyle]

Tax cheating is for all DEMS.

[Grizzled Bear]

Ultimately, it's important for this administration to send a message that there aren't two sets of rules — you know, one for prominent people and one for ordinary folks who have to pay their taxes," Obama said on NBC’s "Nightly News with Brian Williams."

"I'm frustrated with myself, with our team.

Does he really want to go there? How many of his perspective appointees got tripped up due to failure to pay taxes?

[Never on my watch]

“Ultimately, it's important for this administration to send a message that there aren't two sets of rules — you know, one for prominent people and one for ordinary folks who have to pay their taxes...”

There are so many ways to parse that sentence.

1. “SEND A MESSAGE” that there are not 2 sets of rules. Not really meaning he believes the same rules apply to all.
2. Prominent v. Ordinary. He is saying that he and his entourage are extraordinary.
3. “Ultimately” means he is not going to tolerate another question on this issue, and no, he is not going to subject Dacshle to the same IRS strong arm tactics that the “ordinary folk” are subjected to.

[Carley]

Just wondering if everyone on the congressional staff gets preferred health care benefits as well.

The people working in the state offices?

This two tier system is exactly as it was in the former soviet union.

The privileged and the rest of the people. Bread lines, black market, etc.