DROP DASCHLE

I'm interested in how he filled out that reputedly long vetting questionaire..
(so am I).

I agree, FM. I'm an Obama supporter, too, but I think he should dump Daschele. I have no sympathy for a guy who "forgets" to pay taxes on a free car and a driver. A driver? Who besides a celebrity has a driver? Democrats are supposed to represent the little guy.

It's a rare person who doesn't screw up something sometime, and certainly those with the financial wherewithall and connections to get elected to high office have a lot more exposure to potential screw ups. If Daschle and/or his people had discovered and handled the tax snafu prior to the nomination, I would say no big deal. The fact that it wasn't 'noticed' until after the nomination, however, makes it highly suspect whether or not it was intentional. So I agree. Drop this turkey and get somebody who is above reproach at least in the area he will be expected to have expertise.

Noticing in the paper this morning that it is looking worse and worse for our Governor Bill Richardson who was dropped as the Commerce Secretary nominee due to legal entanglements that probably didn't show up on that vetting questionnaire either. That would be a headache Obama doesn't need for sure. (Nobody will ever make me believe that Richardson withdrew voluntarily either.)

There are many good people to choose from and President Obama doesn't have to select bruised ones. (And I was not an Obama supporter.)

Although it's almost impossible to find a politician with a long experience in public service who is beyond reproach, I agree Daschle should drop out. Some just have a more difficult lock to pick on the closet door, and I do mean skeletons -- if the gay ones haven't been caught doing something indiscreet, they certainly are not coming out of that closet on principal for any position in Washington. Politicians are just like you and me, except they have a talent for getting elected.

It seems lately that the vetting process is a bit too lightweight. The politicians mean I'm suppose to believe they don't have a question regarding taxes? If they lie, that's two strikes.

If Daschle is not dropped, will it affect your opinion of Pres. Obama?

Drop him like a hot potato!

I hadn't heard about unreported income from speaking and consulting arraingments. That sounds bad. Depending on circumstances, it is not completely implausible to innocently neglect declaring income for car and driver service. Guy's not up for Secretary of Treasury, fer crying out loud.

I did not vote for Obama, by the way.

It strikes me that a congressperson in his position would seek out an ethical accountant, if only for self defensive purpose. Of course, an accountant can only work with information given, but I think a good one would be asking pertinent questions. So, this seems sloppy at best, whether by Daschle or the accountant.

You and Foxfyre both make a good point...that this may be relatively harmless.

I suspect not!

And either way...surely there are other candidates that can come to the table with a clean (or cleaner) slate!

He should drop himself...or Obama should do the dropping.

You know why the accountant crossed the road? He checked his records and saw that's what he did the year before.

Had there been such an item on a prior year's return, you can bet he would have asked. Otherwise, I doubt it would have come up unless Daschle raised the issue. Again, it's possibly an innocent omission. Not a certainty, of course.

The main argument for dropping Daschle is that this administration is supposed to represent change, and therefore, it should not be political business as usual. That would seem to imply to me that all of his appointments need to be squeaky clean--and that will be a tough bill to fill . . .

Probably impossible. That's one of the reasons I added "cleaner" to my "clean" up above.

But since e represents damaged goods...I think the guy out to drop out himself...and save Obama the decision.

I am an ardent Obama supporter and I absolutely agree. Daschle should bow out. But for many, that's just asking too much.

Mr. Obama has his work cut out for him here as well. He doesn't want to shut out the old guard completely but the old guard has all kinds of old dog **** on their shoes and in this new administration, we want clean shoes. Again, is that just asking too much???

Good point. When a politician, elected to high office begins to display some ethical tarnish, hes on his way to full scale corrosion in my book. SInce when does "Being a supporter of Obama or McCain" require blinders?

O boy promised change if only you would elect him... PrezBO is not delivering the real change he promised.

Is anyone really surprised by this?

Is lying , or falsifying information on one of those govt job forms not a misdemeanor at least , if not a class felony?
Im assuming that the selection process was carried out by Obama and his staffers. They made their picks from information given them. Was Daschle fully forthcoming?
Either way, I think we agree that the man should go back to Congress , where the voters often dont care about ones criminal records or tendencies.

I think I read that the form was sixty pages long..

How bout we clip, paste and send these comments from A2K to Obamas Blackberry?