White House: Obama considers Daschle issue serious

[Beacool]

By KEVIN FREKING, Associated Press
February 2, 2009

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WASHINGTON – The White House says President Barack Obama considers Tom Daschle's tax troubles to be a "very serious" matter. But the president's spokesman says Daschle remains the right person to lead the Health and Human Services Department.

Daschle expressed remorse on Monday about failing to pay more than $120,000 in back taxes. And Obama says he "absolutely" stands by him.

But White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said that Daschle had made a "serious mistake" that he then fixed. Gibbs said the White House is "not insensitive" to the news of the unpaid taxes by a potential Cabinet secretary.

Gibbs said that if Daschle is confirmed he will closely follow the ethical guidelines and rules of the administration.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090202/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/daschle_taxes

[ronnykmarshall]

1. Oh dear.

[dbonds]

2. OT, but Daschle really needs to replace the red Harry Potter Glasses with something else.

[eleny]

3. Daschle needs to drop out and then go get himself some new glasses

[wroberts189]

4. Calling Dr. Dean ..Dr. Dean????? nt

[Beacool]

5. Hear, hear

to Daschle dropping...........those dorky red glasses.

As for his tax troubles, par for the course. He'll get a slap on the wrist from the Dems, the Repugs will make a lot of noise, but in the end they'll all wink at him and confirm him.

Now folks, you try to do what Daschle and Geithner did with your taxes and let me know what to bring on visiting day.

:eyes:

[global1]

10. If The Repugs Give Daschle A Pass - Then We Know The Fix Is In Re: Healthcare Reform.........

it will be a half-assed attempt and not really transform the system in the way it needs to be.

[Occam Bandage]

6. Very serious, but not in the "consequences" sort of way. nt

[Cash_thatswhatiwant]

7. I wish I could get away with not paying hundreds of thousands in taxes... :(

[Metric System]

8. Wow, those really are horrible glasses. Did he buy them at Sally Jessy Raphael's garage sale?

[global1]

9. So How Is This Gonna Play Out?.......

President Obama is sticking behind Daschle. He has too or else it looks like his judgment is faulty. In order for both the President and Daschle to save face - Daschle is going to have to withdraw his name in the spirit of doing the right thing for the President and not causing the President any problems. The President will say I still think that Daschle is the right man for the job - but I'm reluctantly accepting his withdrawal. Now let's move on.

Daschle has to go. He is a remnant of old Washington. It is not the change we expected out of the President.

If they let Daschle get through - then it sends a strong message to all those other pols that they can get away with this too.

An example needs to be made of Daschle. Show old Washington - this is what happens to those ex-Sen and Reps that game the system.

If President Obama doesn't dump Daschle - then expect more of the same going forward. Nothing has changed but the rhetoric.

[trashcanistanista]

12. Very good point.

I hope Daschle does the right thing and drops out on his own.

[Jakes Progress]

13. Daschle won't leave.

I can't find an example of his doing the "right thing" if there wasn't something in if for him.

Now we find out if Obama can do politics in Washington. If he backs Tom 100% but sends his tough guys to tell him to withdraw, then he has shown he can fix the problems he creates. On the other hand, he can keep protesting that he supports Daschle as Tommy and the republicans rope a dope the pres and get Daschle in to gum up the works for health reform. Watch for the republicans to be pretty quiet on this. They would like Daschle for this post. (And so would too many bought and paid for Democrats.)

[aquamarina]

11. I seriously can't believe that Daschle is the only person who

can reform health care. Isn't there anyone else qualified for this job? I know Daschle was a big supporter of Obama's but the HHS post should not be a given as a thank you - and quite frankly I don't recall Daschle ever speaking out on behalf of health care before being nominated for HHS.