A President That Knows How To Apologize

I always say that when picking members of your Presidential Cabinet, make sure to ask the hopefuls to have paid their taxes. Well, I guess President Obama has been rather busy and he didn't have time to heed my advice, but that's O.K. I think that he gets it now and even if your picks are qualified, it is best that they pay what the government expects of them by law. Though unlike Bush, who would have just brushed it off and ignored the troubles, Obama owned up to what happened.

From MSNBC:

Oh it made me angry and disappointed and it's something I have to take responsibility for. I appointed these folks. I think they are outstanding people. I think Tom Daschle as an example could have led this health care effort, a difficult effort better than just about anybody. But as he acknowledged, this was a mistake. I don't think it was intentional on his part but it was a serious mistake. He owned up to it and ultimately made a decision that we couldn't afford the distraction and I've got to own up to my mistake which is that ultimately it's important for this administration to send a message that there aren't two sets of rules. You know, one for prominent people and one for ordinary folks who have to pay their taxes. And so I'm frustrated with myself, with our team, but ultimately my job is to get this thing back on track because what we need to focus on is a deteriorating economy and getting people back to work.

Thank you for taking responsibility and acknowledging these mistakes. Next to President Bush, there really is no comparison. However, I still have a gripe about the Cabinet. Seriously Barack, what is up with Judd Gregg? You aren't changing the makeup of the Senate by doing this and we are talking about a man that wanted to abolish the Commerce Department altogether a couple years ago. I know you are into bipartisanship, but that is ridiculous. And also, bipartisanship is a two way street, before walking down that road you should make sure that Republicans understand that they have to learn the word "compromise" and embrace it.

Daschle's $128,000 Mistake

Seriously, how, after working as a Senator who wrote tax legislation, do you fail to pay $128,000 in taxes? I'm sure he's going to be confirmed and for all I know he's a great guy, but I hope that he runs HHS better than his own finances.



Update (2/3/09 1PM): Oh well, so much for that.

Do You Care About Health Care? Let Obama Know!

Obama's site, change.gov has gotten plenty of responses on what to do and what Americans' concerns are, but I'm sure there are more opinions out there. So let's tell his team what we want!

A Maverick No More

John McCain isn't the same guy Americans remember from eight years ago, those that know him best (at least on the Dem side) in the Senate have seen the change and are calling him out on his likeness to the current disaster of a President.

If Clinton Aides Resigned Over Tasteless Comments, She'd Have No One Left

Tom Daschle made a plea with the Hillary campaign that Howard Wolfson should leave her campaign for comparing Senator Obama with Ken Starr. It is hard to forget that "independent" prosecutor that made a name for himself by exposing the sexual behaviors of President Bill Clinton. Now Hillary can be upset at him for as long as she wants and that is fine by me. But. But when you compare the monsters (pun intended) of the Clinton's past with their political opponents of today (especially those in your own party) you pass an unacceptable line.

It is the ruthless comments pushed into the media that upsets Daschle and many in the Democratic base. We want to focus our ire on McCain, but then Senator Clinton goes 180 and praises him. How dare she! And how dare Mark Penn's comments about states that Obama won that apparently "don't matter." What kind of childish crap is that? Every state matters! If we relied on swing states like we did in the last few cycles, we'd be destined to lose just like we did in 2000 and 2004. There are Democratic voters across this country, not just in California and New York (or states that Hillary has won).

It doesn't work that way, sorry.

Anyways, I would like to commend the former Senator for bringing some levity to the whole Samantha Power-monster comment. Yes, what she said was wrong and I'm glad she did the right thing by resigning. However, making comments like that against Barack are status quo in Hillary's camp and no one gets punished for it. Well, it is time she held herself to the same standards that her Democratic opponent holds himself to. I would love to see some honor in her campaign for once.

Will I see it? Probably not, but I'd love to have my mind changed.