Barack Obama Shouldn't Apologize for Daschle, Geithner Taxes

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I think it was very humble on the part of the President to apologise. It only shows the power of his character and integrity - to take it on his chest. Clearly, he has a lot riding on his shoulders and the whole world is watching.
The mess he is dealing with is the result of the last 8 years of mismanagement for which neither did #43 apologise nor have any captains of industry (I mean the vaunted Wall Street guys) come forward with an apology. The "revered Wall Street gurus" have pretty much plundered the country and it is us on Main Street who suffering for their mistakes. They have committed highway robbery and not one of you have called for them to at the very least 'apologise'.
BTW, I am not an American and when I see so many posts against Mr.Obama, I am really surprised. While I understand and respect your opinions, I fail to see why so many are coming out against their President. This man, your President, is facing heavy odds - perhaps the worst that any President has ever faced. The multiple crisis(es) that he is dealing with will not go away in days or weeks. It will take time (perhaps months) to calm the system and restore trust in the hearts and minds of the American people and the world. Such is the magnitude of the problem and yet, many of you are so focused on discrediting your President. I think you ought to rally behind your President - no matter what your political leanings are. At the end of the day if you don't get your paycheck, you can't pay your bills and it does not matter if you are a republican, democrat, independent, black, white etc.
The tax issues faced by some of the nominees is a big distraction and it is certainly sad to see that some of them have chosen to only pay their taxes after their nomination. That is not right and I feel that these people no matter how good they are - should've withdrawn from the nomination process and should face the consequences. But it is time to move on and focus on the issues. I am sure better nominees will surface for these positions. I not sure how the vetting process in the US is for these nominees, but I think the nominees were not forthcoming to the transition team - and hence this mess. And I don't belive this is the President's fault - yet he apologised to the American people. That must mean something to you, right?
I think American's should focus on the path forward and not regress backward by bringing up issues from the election. Yes, you must hold the President to his promises - but give him a chance. He is dealing with issues of epic proportions that is impacting not just America but the entire world. He will make mistakes - but as long as the direction he sets for the country is right from a strategic and tactical perspective things should turn around.
As for me, I am also a fellow tax-payer and am a victim of corporate downsizing. I know it tough, but there is no point blaming everything on this one man. He has promise us hope aleast give him some!

Laxman R of OR 3:13AM February 06, 2009

Reassuring that someone will be taking responsibility going forward. Needless to say most folks are happy that the rats have been swept out of the White House, bringing back the dignity of the office.
I will also accept Obama's apology for attempting to be bipartisan, while clearly the GOP has no intention of helping the country.

Pablo of WA 2:12PM February 05, 2009

But its not a republican, and its not"a dog"( by the way that comparison in reference to the president and his staff is just lack of integrity, ridiculous, and in my opinion speaks alot about the "bloger" himself lol)..please let's not forget this in the FIRST president of COLOR..period! with that being said, not only are their unbelievable pressures that comes along with that historical level of accomplishment..curious viewers waiting for him to fall, curious viewers waiting for him to succeed, either way his 8 yrs pan out, he has paved the door for many more FIRST, so on top of that pressure he has to still take on the unwanted baggage that our 43rd president left lingering, tie the knots and reverse alot of the damage done to the economy, as well as try and bail us out of this ridiculous debt that our need to overconsume has created(and thats putting it in gentle terms) and place so much monetary emphasis on one area of government spending(need i say which one). So not only is our new and wonderful president still working out the kinx(mind you inauguration was only a few weeks ago and he's already doing more in a few weeks what bush hasn't done in 8 yrs!, and was already doing before he officially became the new president!), he has to backtrack nad clean up damage that still has to be done, which in my opinion should not be his added on responsibility! So instead of being so quick to blame obama for this and that or magnify his "mistakes"(and i use that word lightly as well because there is no I in team, or have we forgotten), how about supporting your president because like it or not please don't forget he is still our president...and that's something we ALL are going to have to come to terms with..play ball or leave!

Nardia C Miller of NY 12:33PM February 05, 2009

If this were a republican, you SEASONED journalist would crucify Him or God forbid Her(Palin). On day sixteen in 85 degree whitehouse, your messiah apologized because his cabinet is falling apart.
My dog is more professional than you people, and you should be ashamed at yourselves for reporting things the way you do.

Benjamin of GA 10:48AM February 05, 2009

"No one on the president’s team should ever put the boss in that situation."
But it's the boss who put himself in this position. Obama made grandiose declarations about the high ethical standards his administration would follow. Then he picked Richardson, Daschle, Killefer, Geitner, and Lynn.
It may be that Obama and his team were unaware of the tax problems, but there is simply no way that Obama was unaware that Daschle was getting rich working for people he would be regulating, that Richardson was under investigation, that Geitner was part of the Wall Street gang responsible for the meltdown, and that Lynn had lobbied for Raytheon.
But we don't need an apology. We need competence. And so far we're still waiting for that.

Galt of CA 9:26PM February 04, 2009

It is impossible for me to watch Obama standing next to Timothy Geithner in a press conference and not think that Obama is too willing to appoint cabinet members without integrity. Making a mistake in back taxes is understandable. Not paying them unitl nominated for a cabinet position is not. His appointment is a continual reminder that Obama's promise of a higher level of ethical behavior in his administration has little meaning.
Paying taxes apparently has so little meaning to the new president that he didn't even have all of his cabinet choices screened to find out if they had paid the taxes they should.

C Rodgers of IL 9:24PM February 04, 2009

I think people in the world know the reason why the U.S. is in big trouble, the prompt response is certain to be 'oil war', while Americans try to avoid the truth. The morbid oil urge has incurred all problems. then the direction can be clear, namely, seeking energy freedom, and it will be the key to the highly-anticipated health including growing children, I believe.

HSR0601 of NY 6:25PM February 04, 2009

Please! Two tax criminals and a lobbyist. So much for hope and change. It's the same ol' Washington, just dressed up in a nice suit with a velvety voice. Where is the outrange from the press and democrats? Imagine if Bush were the one who had made these nominations. What hypocricy...and how sad that it comes at a time when my children and their children are getting ready to be buried alive in debt (pork and entitlements). So much for hope and change...I should create a song...

FLNonny of FL 6:10PM February 04, 2009

And I hope Obama chewed out a few people behind the scenes for not vetting well enough but I do like this "The buck stops here" attitude. It is refreshing.

Scott of MN 5:55PM February 04, 2009