Daschle and Geithner--Why Can't Democratic Nominees Pay Their Taxes?
By Michael Barone, Thomas Jefferson Street blog
Why, oh why, can't Democratic appointees pay their taxes? Tom Daschle has given Barack Obama another needless headache, and while he will presumably be confirmed, it's irritating in the extreme to learn that he had failed to pay more than $100,000 in taxes. In a conversation with a South Dakota reporter who knows Daschle well, I asked how many people in South Dakota have a car and driver? How many people in Aberdeen, the town where Tom Daschle grew up? How many at South Dakota State, where he graduated from college? Good grief.
Anyway, here is an attempt to distinguish Daschle's case from Timothy Geithner's.
Geithner was forgiven his tax delinquency because he was seen as uniquely needed for policy reasons. As president of the New York Fed and as one of those who has been making major decisions in the financial crisis, he was seen as having unique abilities. It is now being argued that Tom Daschle should be forgiven his tax delinquency because he is uniquely needed. But he is not uniquely needed for policy reasons. He may know a lot about healthcare policy, but so do a lot of other people, many of them with views consistent with Barack Obama's. Daschle is unique not for policy reasons, but for political reasons. He knows Capitol Hill well, is an experienced negotiator, has excellent political instincts, and in all these respects is far superior to almost any other healthcare policy expert. So, there is a basis, for those who want one, for reconciling a vote for Geithner with a vote against Daschle. And there is a basis, if you want government-run health insurance, to vote for Daschle.
By the way, although much has been said about the clubbiness of the Senate and the unwillingness of senators to vote against the confirmation of former senators, consider two things. One is that 42 votes were cast against John Ashcroft in 2001, just after he left the Senate. Two is that, by my count, there are 31 senators now who didn't serve in the Senate with Daschle—plus the currently vacant Minnesota seat. However, only 10 of these senators are Republicans (Mel Martinez, Jim Risch, David Vitter, Roger Wicker, Mike Johanns, Tom Coburn, Jim DeMint, John Thune, Bob Corker, John Barrasso), who might well vote against him, while 21 are Democrats who will probably vote the party on this (Mark Begich, Mark Udall, Michael Bennet, Ted Kaufman, Roland Burris, Ben Cardin, Amy Klobuchar, Claire McCaskill, Jon Tester, Jeanne Shaheen, Bob Menendez, Tom Udall, Amy Gillibrand, Kay Hagan, Sherrod Brown, Jeff Merkley, Bob Casey, Sheldon Whitehouse, Jim Webb, Mark Warner and independent Bernie Sanders).
- Read more by Michael Barone.
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Tags: taxes | Tom Daschle | Obama administration | Tim Geithner
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Reader Comments
Incredible
Those that won the election can get any bill in congress they want passed.
They are afraid of being exposed for what they are and that is why jacksmith sounds very unintelligent.
Who is holding back the mighty legislative power of the dumocrat senate or congress? Name them and the job they hold so I may know who really holds the power in this country.
Why Should Democrats Pay Taxes
Taxes are to be paid by fat cats, not by Democrats who serve the people.
Healthcare crisis
I AM SO ANGRY!
Tom Daschle, and Nancy Killefer are two of the finest, and most competent public servants you could possibly hope for in these appointments. They have been assassinated by the Washington healthcare lobby through their paid Bush Republican henchmen in congress. These Bush republicans are the same people blocking the economic recovery plan put forth by the Obama administration.
I am BURNING MAD America. And you should be too. Tome Daschle and Nancy Killefer were exactly what we needed to help turn this country around and fix our economy, and catastrophic healthcare crisis.
If I were their boss I would tell them to get right back to Washington. And dare congress to not approve them. How ridiculous is it to reject highly qualified people that this country needs just because they made a mistake on their taxes. Don't stand for that anymore America. They apologized, and paid their taxes, and that should be it. Their country needs them. But President Obama has to do what he thinks is best. I understand that. I'M JUST SO MAD at the anti American Bush Republicans.
Like many of you I have been trying to enjoy the after glow of this Beautiful historic election. But I see that the republicans in congress and their cohorts aren't going to be good sports, and LOSER'S!
SO BE IT!
In spite of President Obama's repeated offers, and gestures of collegiality to Republicans. Bush Republicans have seized upon every opportunity to stab President Obama in the back. And by doing so they are stabbing you, and the rest of the American people in the back. Well, you don't have to put up with that. And you shouldn't put up with that. President Obama has only been on the job two weeks. And he inherited two wars, and the worst economy since the great depression.
We had an election. And president Obama, and the democrats won BIG. And Bush Republicans lost miserably!
The Bush Republicans are the ones responsible for the worst economic crisis since the great depression. And the Bush Republicans are responsible for the worst healthcare crisis in American history. A healthcare crisis that is killing hundreds of thousands of you every year. Rich, middle class, and poor a like. Insured, and uninsured. Men, women, children, and babies.
President Obama, and the Democrats should take back all the concessions they granted the Bush Republicans, and tell them to put up! or shut up!
Everyone, start calling and contacting these Bush Republicans and tell them to stop blocking President Obama, and the Democrats recovery plan. And stop trying to block, and corrupt healthcare reform. Tell them to get on board with President Obama and the Democrats, or GET OUT!!
If these Bush Republicans refuse to cooperate I want all of you to immediately begin the process of removing them from office by every legal means possible. Including impeachment, and recall. I want you to bring the full weight and power of the movement down on their heads that swept President Obama, and the Democrats into control of the whitehouse, and congress. Take no prisoners. Use all the techniques you learned over this past historic election. Be flexible, creative, adaptable, and relentless like you were in the past.
To my cyber warriors I call on you again. You are among the best and the brightest. I call on you to move this fight from the cyber world to the living rooms, dens, and work places of the voters these Bush Republicans misrepresent. I know I can count on you. This is a fight worth fighting.
To my fellow World citizens. As an American I invite, and welcome you and your advise, input, and help. By delaying Americas recovery, and healthcare reform, these Bush Republicans are delaying our commitment to your recovery, and to being the better America for you that we aspire too.
I had hoped it would not come to this after our historic election. I had hoped that the Bush Republicans would respect the overpowering will of the people, and the World. But I guess not. All the Bush Republicans really care about is them-selves. Well, SO BE IT! Lets finish the job.
Sincerely
jacksmith --- Working Class :-)
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