Booman Tribune ~ A Progressive Community

Replace Daschle with Dean

by BooMan
Sat Jan 31st, 2009 at 08:55:39 AM EST

Not a few people think it's time to draw a line in the sand about politicians that play by their own set of rules and don't pay their taxes while writing the laws that prescribe punishment for us if we don't pay ours. Tom Daschle's tax issues are an embarrassment that we don't need or deserve. I applauded his nomination to be Secretary of Health & Human Services because I thought (and still do) that his good relations on the Hill would make it much easier to usher through Obama's health care package. But, in these difficult economic times, it's impossible to defend someone that piles up hundreds of thousands of dollars in unpaid taxes while he is tooled around in limousines. Daschle has no excuse, and none of us should be put in the position of trying to defend his actions. Howard Dean might not have equivalent connections and political savvy, but he does understand health care and he does deserve a job in the Obama administration. I say that the Obama administration should withdraw Daschle's nomination and replace him with Howard Dean.

Replace Daschle with Dean | 22 comments (22 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

Re: Replace Daschle with Dean (4.00 / 2)

What with the farce of the Wall Street bailouts and those unbelievable bonuses for banking executives and now this Daschle business, the democratic party is really beginning to stink. Mayhaps, the good doctor Dean can act as an antiseptic for a corrupting political structure.

I agree with you Booman but I think Nemesis is really stretching her wings and this civilization has had it. The swiftness of our decline is breathtaking.

Suppose you scrub your ethical skin until it shines, but inside there is no music, then what? Kabir

by Dongi 2 on Sat Jan 31st, 2009 at 09:25:48 AM EST

Re: Replace Daschle with Dean (4.00 / 3)

I've never liked Tom Daschle. The best thing I have ever been able to say about him is that he must be good at the back room kind of politics that gets you to high places. I've never thought he had any idea of what to do once he got there so I'll shed no tears if his name is withdrawn.

by maryb2004 on Sat Jan 31st, 2009 at 09:37:34 AM EST

Re: Replace Daschle with Dean (4.00 / 3)

Yeah, once with Geithner is odd. Twice with Daschle, it's unacceptable. This has to stop.

Recommended by Hideo Kojima

by robertdsc on Sat Jan 31st, 2009 at 10:10:56 AM EST

Re: Replace Daschle with Dean (none / 1)

Yeah. So much for the vetting process.

by Heart of the Rockies on Sat Jan 31st, 2009 at 10:23:24 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Taxes are for little people (none / 1)

They've become the Leona Helmsley Party.

by The Voice In The Wilderness on Sat Jan 31st, 2009 at 05:51:40 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Replace Daschle with Dean (4.00 / 4)

I always figured that the reason Obama didn't pick Dean was because Howard is not well liked in DC. Obama wanted people who could get stuff through the Congress. But Howard Dean is a doctor and his wife still has an active practice. Who would know more about health care than Howard Dean? And I do think Obama has an outstanding debt of honor with Dean. Wish he'd pay up.

And it would dilute the effect of the herd of Blue Dogs and DLCers around Obama.

by SusanD on Sat Jan 31st, 2009 at 11:24:54 AM EST

Re: Replace Daschle with Dean (4.00 / 2)

Change we can BELIEVE IN? The appointments thus far have been a underwhelming mixture of Chicago-Washington Beltway blend of professional politicians with the exception of the Department of Energy. The public was hoping for an influx of new people with fresh ideas and perspectives on the nation's problems. It has been argued that most of these selections were due to the national economic emergency and the urgent need to get things done on Capitol Hill. So from that perspectives, the first Obama administration becomes essentially a dream delayed.

I for one agree 100% with Booman that now is the time for Barack to step up to the plate and replace Daschle with Dean. The repubs are beginning to make hay out of the tax problems of Obama's cabinet choices. Further HHS is not a high powered slot that requires a lot of Washington smooze in order to be effective. But it is one post that needs a lot of NEW IDEAS and CONCEPTS in order to benefit millions of Americans. Frankly, I don't see that creativity coming out of Daschle, but I think Dean has already demonstrated that his creativity.

by parvenu on Sat Jan 31st, 2009 at 01:46:07 PM EST

Re: Replace Daschle with Dean (none / 1)

I second your suggestion. After 4 years with the DNC, Dean must know his way around pretty well. Slightly off topic, Al Giordano has a diary up on dKos that is being praised to the skies, but it's typical Al claiming to be a know-all genius while making generous slaps at others. In this case a really nasty crack about DFA and Dean. So, who's been more effective in grass roots organizing, Al Giordano or Howard and Jim Dean?

by Heart of the Rockies on Sat Jan 31st, 2009 at 09:06:14 AM EST

Re: Replace Daschle with Dean (none / 0)

I don't know if it is a crack at Dean .. so much as at one of his former Lieutenants who said something silly .. but maybe I am misreading it

by Calvin Jones and the 13th Apostle on Sat Jan 31st, 2009 at 02:16:39 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Replace Daschle with Dean (none / 0)

Contrary-wise, I think we should all send our tax information to the Senate Finance or Transition Committees, 'cause it's real obvious their accountants are better than anyone else. I don't see where either Geithner or Daschle met the test of 'intent' - Timmy used software instead of an accountant, Tommy should've fired his - but your point taken on the limo.

by rba on Sat Jan 31st, 2009 at 09:31:59 AM EST

Re: Replace Daschle with Dean (none / 0)

Isn't Dean still regarded as an "outsider" on the Hill? He was "only" a governor of a little state, not a Congress critter. Then, he was super DNC Partisan so what Repub is going to risk talking to him? He might not be the best guy to walk a health care bill down the corridors of power. The whole point of picking Daschle, I thought, was his genial relations with so many members on both sides of the aisle.

Now, of course... what is it with these guys and back taxes?

by sjct on Sat Jan 31st, 2009 at 09:35:16 AM EST

Re: Replace Daschle with Dean (none / 1)

"genial relations" may not be a compliment. It could be seen as a synonym for "one of the club."

by Heart of the Rockies on Sat Jan 31st, 2009 at 09:54:51 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Replace Daschle with Dean (none / 1)

That was my very first thought when I read about this. I thought Daschle would be good at pushing health care through Congress, but was nervous about what it would look like given his lobbying connections, and his wife's. Would he take on the same companies who have been making him rich since he lost his seat?

Howard Dean, OTOH, has no such problems. He can't even get respect from Obama, never mind a cushy sinecure as a lobbyist. He understands health policy, he's smart and he works ferociously hard. I wish Obama would tell Rahm to shut up and give Howard something to do.

by 2LaneIA on Sat Jan 31st, 2009 at 03:15:39 PM EST

Re: Replace Daschle with Dean (none / 1)

What happened to the vaunted vetting process with the 63-page questionnaire? Did they not ask about paying taxes or domestic servants? That one is obvious.

50 states, 210 media market, 435 Congressional Districts, 3080 counties, 192,480 precincts

by TarheelDem on Sat Jan 31st, 2009 at 03:29:01 PM EST

Re: Replace Daschle with Dean (none / 0)

Today's NYT has a story indicating that Daschle made more than $2 million in consulting fees for serving on the advisory board of the equity firm that also provided the car and the driver. Stinks to high heaven.

by Heart of the Rockies on Sat Jan 31st, 2009 at 06:25:11 PM EST

Re: Replace Daschle with Dean (none / 0)

daschle should resign. yhay is simple. what bothers me however is- what the hell is vetting??????

by billjpa (billjpa@aol.com) on Sat Jan 31st, 2009 at 06:33:36 PM EST

Re: Replace Daschle with Dean (none / 1)

Howard Dean is an actual real-live Democrat. The Beltway Dems are all GOp operatives that don't make a move unless pre-approved by their Republican overseers.

Rham Emmanuel and Obama are under strict orders from their GOP owners to ignore Dean and destroy the 50-state-strategy that got them elected. Their masters don't want the Dems to ever have a chance again, so that pesky 50-state-strategy has got to go!

Please remain stationary to facilitate targeting.

by Comrade Rutherford (comraderutherford@y#h**.com) on Sat Jan 31st, 2009 at 10:27:24 PM EST

Re: Replace Daschle with Dean (none / 0)

You're serious, right?

by priscianus jr on Sat Jan 31st, 2009 at 10:56:37 PM EST

Re: Replace Daschle with Dean (none / 1)

yeah, I'm serious. We have to have standards. We can't be hypocrites.

by BooMan on Sat Jan 31st, 2009 at 11:19:47 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Replace Daschle with Dean (none / 0)

Actually, Boo, my comment wasn't meant to be addressed to you, it was supposed to be for Comrade Rutherford just above this -- but I guess I pressed the wrong button. I know you're serious, that's why I read this blog every day.

by priscianus jr on Thu Feb 5th, 2009 at 07:49:32 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Replace Daschle with Dean (none / 0)

I was not aware of the Daschle tax problems until I read about it in the morning paper.

I have less problem with him not paying taxes (which I have a lot) than I do with how he got the income he didn't pay taxes on.

A million a year to be on an advisory counsel? $250K for car service? Sorry, he's gotta go. This is the crap Americans are sick of.

That Obama is going to let it slide is a problem but in the end not surprising.

Dean as a better alternative. Maybe. I see it, but its a big country full of a lot of people able to do that job.

by Andrew Longman on Sun Feb 1st, 2009 at 10:28:56 AM EST

Re: Replace Daschle with Dean (none / 0)

I love the fact that 87,000 in consulting fees is such chump change to Daschle he "forgot" he earned it and needed to pay taxes on it.

Of course, I think these guys all bank on their name at the top of the return being enough to avoid any scrutiny at the IRS.

"Little people are very stuff-intensive."

by CabinGirl on Sun Feb 1st, 2009 at 10:43:58 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Replace Daschle with Dean | 22 comments (22 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

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