by Frank James
When a presidential nomination runs into trouble in the Senate, it's important to listen to what the chair of the relevant committee says. What you're looking for is any indication that the chair is shifting into "I'm cutting my losses" mode.
That clearly isn't happening -- yet -- with the suddenly controversial nomination of Tom Daschle, the South Dakota Democrat and former Senate Majority Leader, to be President Barack Obama's Health and Human Services secretary.
Sen. Max Baucus, the Montana Democrat who chairs the Senate Finance Committee, issued a statement today reaffirming his support for Daschle who's in trouble because he failed to pay taxes initially on a car and driver provided to him as a perk by a wealthy friend who Daschle maintained a business relationship with.
But Baucus also seemed to leave the door open to a shift depending on what comes out in his committee's review of the vetting of Daschle's nomination as well as his conversations with other senators.
Here's a statement issued by Baucus's office today:
"As indicated by news reports over the weekend, the Senate Finance Committee has been reviewing a number of issues with regard to Senator Daschle's nomination as part of our vetting process. As with every nominee, all issues raised will be considered carefully and thoroughly by the Finance Committee in the coming days. The Committee will meet this afternoon to discuss the findings of this vetting process and next steps, and I will comment further once I've had a chance to hear my fellow Senators' thoughts. We will also make public the information discovered and reviewed in the vetting process.
"I have applauded Senator Daschle's nomination to the post of HHS Secretary, and my faith in his dedication and qualifications has only been bolstered in recent weeks by our numerous conversations about the pressing need for comprehensive health care reform. The ability to advance meaningful health reform is my top priority in confirming a Secretary of Health and Human Services, and I remain convinced that Senator Daschle would be an invaluable and expert partner in this effort. I am eager to move forward together."
Baucus said that a final version of a Finance Committee statement on vetting issues for Mr. Daschle's nomination would be released to the public as soon as issues listed as outstanding in a draft version shared with Committee members last Friday are completed.
Comments
Hard to believe how members of the Senate can lower themselves to a TAX CHEAT.
Posted by: Inky | February 2, 2009 2:23 PM
Inky, not just one tax cheat but two! If Capone were alive he'd probably be in the cabinet.
Posted by: vla | February 2, 2009 3:26 PM
Ref.
Inky, not just one tax cheat but two! If Capone were alive he'd probably be in the cabinet.
Posted by: vla | February 2, 2009 3:26 PM
Expect Obama a to call up his Good friend Bill Ayers soon , to bad his friend Tony is locked up.
Posted by: Inky | February 2, 2009 4:07 PM
Chicago change wright burrus blago tax cheat ayers socilaims obamn...know what I mean?
Posted by: Inky on roids | February 2, 2009 4:14 PM
The same old rhetoric..there is a "pressing need" for healthcare reform, just as there was a pressing need to confirm Geithner for Treasury.
During the vetting process the Obama administration should have re-evaluated their nominees.
Too bad, stop rewarding bad behavior.
There is no "change"!
What a farce.
Posted by: Will | February 2, 2009 4:36 PM
Today's political riddle.
Q.
What's the difference between former Senator Daschel and and former Gov Blago?
A.
Former Gov Blago paid his taxes!
Posted by: Mike C | February 2, 2009 5:38 PM
Al Capone went to Alcatraz for tax evasion. Tom Daschle and Greitner are going to Obama's cabinet. Nothing like having two admitted tax cheats heading up two of the largest departments in the government. So this is what Obama meant by change: Change to crooks in the federal money pot.
Posted by: Madison | February 2, 2009 6:35 PM
This is change? It sounds like a rich failed politician who doesn't pay his taxes and takes bribes is excused by a president who we hoped was the real thing.
Too familiar even for a liberal Obama supporter--one who has walked the streets and donated.
Posted by: Lon Hodowal | February 2, 2009 7:46 PM
This is a total outrage!!! Term limits now! Stop the madness. Its time to cleanup Congress. And maybe the Presidency too. The only change he
has made so far is the one that allows our tax dollars to pay for killing babies.
Posted by: Paul | February 2, 2009 7:48 PM
Actually Inky, Obama will pardon Blago. He doesn;t wanr
Blago spilling the beans. I'm sure Blago will get that ambassador job. Ad for Rezko, I see a pardon in his future too. Something about spilling the beans there too.
Posted by: John D | February 2, 2009 11:49 PM
Remember the following post?
"by Frank James
Joe "The Plumber" Wurzelbacher is learning the downside of fame today. Here's what Bloomberg News is reporting:
Oct. 16 (Bloomberg) -- ``Joe the plumber,'' the Toledo, Ohio, man whose complaints about Barack Obama's tax plan were featured in the final presidential debate, owes the state of Ohio almost $1,200 in back income taxes.
According to records on file with the Lucas County Court of Common Pleas, the state filed a tax lien against Samuel J. Wurzelbacher for $1,182.98 on Jan. 26, 2007, that is still active."
...Joe the Plumber, a private citizen, got smeared big time for asking a question. Where's the outcry for Obama's two deadbeats owing more than Joe the Plumber makes in a year?
Posted by: Jim Harris | February 3, 2009 9:21 AM