Tom Daschle not a popular pick?

[daniel49]

Was suprised to see an article here at a sight I would definately call to the left. That seems to think Obama has no intent on reforming healthcare.
Change you can count on or just a campaign slogan?
Text

 

[HannibalX]

Douchle is a crook. I can't believe Obama didn't dump him after all the bad press.

 

[Moonbeam]

Does not look good to me.

 

[Craig234]

Originally posted by: daniel49
Was suprised to see an article here at a sight I would definately call to the left. That seems to think Obama has no intent on reforming healthcare.
Change you can count on or just a campaign slogan?
Text

You are confused about liberal media. Unlike the right who puts ideology ahead of the truth, Salon frequently posts articles critical of the Democrats who behave badly.

It's questioned Obama, it's questioned Hillary, it's questioned liberal policies that seem off track.

That's because the 'liberal' agenda is looking for what works. It's the right who tends to have a 'knee jerk' opposition to them.

Edit: I see the link you posted is for the excellent Glenn Greenwald who I have regularly recommended as the best blog writer I know of.

 

[MikeMike]

Originally posted by: Craig234

Originally posted by: daniel49
Was suprised to see an article here at a sight I would definately call to the left. That seems to think Obama has no intent on reforming healthcare.
Change you can count on or just a campaign slogan?
Text

You are confused about liberal media. Unlike the right who puts ideology ahead of the truth, Salon frequently posts articles critical of the Democrats who behave badly.

It's questioned Obama, it's questioned Hillary, it's questioned liberal policies that seem off track.

That's because the 'liberal' agenda is looking for what works. It's the right who tends to have a 'knee jerk' opposition to them.

Edit: I see the link you posted is for the excellent Glenn Greenwald who I have regularly recommended as the best blog writer I know of.

AHAHAHAHA... wait, hold on a second...
AHAHAHAHA... okay i should be...
AHAHAHAHA...

There are problems with the media, there is no such thing as unshaded glasses for ANYONE... I am not saying this article is wrong, or the author sucks... what i am saying is that if you think the liberal agenda is looking for what works, then dear god...

 

[Skitzer]

Very informative article ........ I didn't realize he was such a scumbag.

 

[GTKeeper]

Obama better watch himself. If all his picks are as corrupt as they potentially are, his whole notion of 'change' and effective government goes out the window.

But then again, I will never see the gov't bite the hand that is feeding it.

 

[Craig234]

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE

Originally posted by: Craig234

Originally posted by: daniel49
Was suprised to see an article here at a sight I would definately call to the left. That seems to think Obama has no intent on reforming healthcare.
Change you can count on or just a campaign slogan?
Text

You are confused about liberal media. Unlike the right who puts ideology ahead of the truth, Salon frequently posts articles critical of the Democrats who behave badly.

It's questioned Obama, it's questioned Hillary, it's questioned liberal policies that seem off track.

That's because the 'liberal' agenda is looking for what works. It's the right who tends to have a 'knee jerk' opposition to them.

Edit: I see the link you posted is for the excellent Glenn Greenwald who I have regularly recommended as the best blog writer I know of.

AHAHAHAHA... wait, hold on a second...
AHAHAHAHA... okay i should be...
AHAHAHAHA...

There are problems with the media, there is no such thing as unshaded glasses for ANYONE... I am not saying this article is wrong, or the author sucks... what i am saying is that if you think the liberal agenda is looking for what works, then dear god...

And you show yourself an ideologue here - not that the issue can be decided by anecdote with hundreds of thousands of articles, but you ignore the example here and many easily available to you on Salon, while you make a baseless statement without even one example on the other side.

I've posted large posts before with random sampling of many articles from both sides, supporting the point I claimed. You post your ideology.

 

[PokerGuy]

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE

Originally posted by: Craig234

Originally posted by: daniel49
Was suprised to see an article here at a sight I would definately call to the left. That seems to think Obama has no intent on reforming healthcare.
Change you can count on or just a campaign slogan?
Text

You are confused about liberal media. Unlike the right who puts ideology ahead of the truth, Salon frequently posts articles critical of the Democrats who behave badly.

It's questioned Obama, it's questioned Hillary, it's questioned liberal policies that seem off track.

That's because the 'liberal' agenda is looking for what works. It's the right who tends to have a 'knee jerk' opposition to them.

Edit: I see the link you posted is for the excellent Glenn Greenwald who I have regularly recommended as the best blog writer I know of.

AHAHAHAHA... wait, hold on a second...
AHAHAHAHA... okay i should be...
AHAHAHAHA...

There are problems with the media, there is no such thing as unshaded glasses for ANYONE... I am not saying this article is wrong, or the author sucks... what i am saying is that if you think the liberal agenda is looking for what works, then dear god...

My sentiments exactly. Craig, do you actually believe half the drivel you post?

 

[PokerGuy]

Originally posted by: PokerGuy

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE

Originally posted by: Craig234

Originally posted by: daniel49
Was suprised to see an article here at a sight I would definately call to the left. That seems to think Obama has no intent on reforming healthcare.
Change you can count on or just a campaign slogan?
Text

You are confused about liberal media. Unlike the right who puts ideology ahead of the truth, Salon frequently posts articles critical of the Democrats who behave badly.

It's questioned Obama, it's questioned Hillary, it's questioned liberal policies that seem off track.

That's because the 'liberal' agenda is looking for what works. It's the right who tends to have a 'knee jerk' opposition to them.

Edit: I see the link you posted is for the excellent Glenn Greenwald who I have regularly recommended as the best blog writer I know of.

AHAHAHAHA... wait, hold on a second...
AHAHAHAHA... okay i should be...
AHAHAHAHA...

There are problems with the media, there is no such thing as unshaded glasses for ANYONE... I am not saying this article is wrong, or the author sucks... what i am saying is that if you think the liberal agenda is looking for what works, then dear god...

My sentiments exactly. Craig, do you actually believe half the drivel you post?

Oh, and Daschle is a dolt, always has been. Terrible pick IMO.

 

[bbdub333]

Originally posted by: PokerGuy

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE

Originally posted by: Craig234

Originally posted by: daniel49
Was suprised to see an article here at a sight I would definately call to the left. That seems to think Obama has no intent on reforming healthcare.
Change you can count on or just a campaign slogan?
Text

You are confused about liberal media. Unlike the right who puts ideology ahead of the truth, Salon frequently posts articles critical of the Democrats who behave badly.

It's questioned Obama, it's questioned Hillary, it's questioned liberal policies that seem off track.

That's because the 'liberal' agenda is looking for what works. It's the right who tends to have a 'knee jerk' opposition to them.

Edit: I see the link you posted is for the excellent Glenn Greenwald who I have regularly recommended as the best blog writer I know of.

AHAHAHAHA... wait, hold on a second...
AHAHAHAHA... okay i should be...
AHAHAHAHA...

There are problems with the media, there is no such thing as unshaded glasses for ANYONE... I am not saying this article is wrong, or the author sucks... what i am saying is that if you think the liberal agenda is looking for what works, then dear god...

My sentiments exactly. Craig, do you actually believe half the drivel you post?

Remember... it's not a lie... if YOU believe it

 

[CADsortaGUY]

Originally posted by: Craig234

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE

Originally posted by: Craig234

Originally posted by: daniel49
Was suprised to see an article here at a sight I would definately call to the left. That seems to think Obama has no intent on reforming healthcare.
Change you can count on or just a campaign slogan?
Text

You are confused about liberal media. Unlike the right who puts ideology ahead of the truth, Salon frequently posts articles critical of the Democrats who behave badly.

It's questioned Obama, it's questioned Hillary, it's questioned liberal policies that seem off track.

That's because the 'liberal' agenda is looking for what works. It's the right who tends to have a 'knee jerk' opposition to them.

Edit: I see the link you posted is for the excellent Glenn Greenwald who I have regularly recommended as the best blog writer I know of.

AHAHAHAHA... wait, hold on a second...
AHAHAHAHA... okay i should be...
AHAHAHAHA...

There are problems with the media, there is no such thing as unshaded glasses for ANYONE... I am not saying this article is wrong, or the author sucks... what i am saying is that if you think the liberal agenda is looking for what works, then dear god...

And you show yourself an ideologue here - not that the issue can be decided by anecdote with hundreds of thousands of articles, but you ignore the example here and many easily available to you on Salon, while you make a baseless statement without even one example on the other side.

I've posted large posts before with random sampling of many articles from both sides, supporting the point I claimed. You post your ideology.

:roll: He was replying to your unsupported ideological BS. You obviously haven't looked at things rationally if you really do believe the tripe you posted but then again we've likely been over this before. Meh, mikemike is very correct that "There are problems with the media, there is no such think as unshaded glasses for ANYONE..." YOU can't refute that even if you tried. You leftists have FoxNews to whine about and those of us not on the left can see that pretty much the supposed "NEWS" arena is left leaning.

Now what does any of this have to do with Daschle besides your knee jerking because daniel49 expressed his surprise. He was rightfully surprised to see that the media is finally getting around to this disgraceful pick. Even the NYTimes is calling for BHO to drop him...now. No one is saying the leftist media is stupid - even they know when something is too bad to play apologist for.

 

[Genx87]

I think this article illustrates what is wrong in DC. These people ride the wedge issue wave to DC. Then rape the public coffers off our ignorance.

The question I have of course is. Is the person corrupt or does the system make them corrupt? 40 years ago was this guy a power hungry money grubbing douchebag like he is today? Or did 30 years in the system make him this way?

That said how do we combat it? In the current setup we, the people are screwed. I think the only way to combat it is to decentralize power. Which will never happen with our big govt happy society and people like him at the helm. We may be finally nearing the edge of the cliff of corruption, entitlement, and arrogance that has destroyed so many empires before us.

 

[SP33Demon]

Funny how some of you assholes here bitch and moan about party lines, here is a clear cut case of a couple that plays both parties like a fiddle and makes millions exploiting the system. Daschle should not be in public office of any sort after not paying taxes, and this article clearly shows that tax evasion is just the icing on the corruption cake.

 

[Robor]

Originally posted by: SP33Demon
Funny how some of you assholes here bitch and moan about party lines, here is a clear cut case of a couple that plays both parties like a fiddle and makes millions exploiting the system. Daschle should not be in public office of any sort after not paying taxes, and this article clearly shows that tax evasion is just the icing on the corruption cake.

:thumbsup: Totally agree... There's got to be another person up to the job who doesn't have these skeletons in their closet.

 

[SP33Demon]

More information on just HOW FAR Daschle's tentacles reach. Jesus.

Daschle's Woes Test An Insider's Insider
HHS Pick Built Connections Over Decades

By Ceci Connolly
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, February 3, 2009; A01



As he battles this week to save his nomination to be secretary of health and human services, one thing is certain: No one in Washington has a better-positioned network of allies in the Obama administration than Thomas A. Daschle.

Over three decades on Capitol Hill, including 10 years as the Senate Democratic leader, Daschle has nurtured one of the largest, most experienced talent pools in the city. His charges guided Barack Obama from his first days in the Senate, through the presidential race and into the White House. Daschle's tentacles, moreover, stretch far beyond the agency Obama picked him to lead, reaching across the entire administration from the upper echelons of the White House to mid-level departmental positions to Obama's kitchen cabinet.

The network is being tapped this week as Daschle and his allies scramble to explain why he did not pay more than $100,000 in back taxes, primarily for the use of a car and driver for three years. After a 75-minute closed-door meeting yesterday with the Senate Finance Committee, he emerged ashen-faced and apologetic. His confirmation vote has been postponed until at least the middle of next week.

Republicans remained noncommittal yesterday, weighing the costs and benefits of perhaps killing the nomination of a former colleague and close personal friend of the president. Democrats rose to Daschle's defense, including, most notably, the man who would be without much of his top staff were it not for Daschle.

Asked yesterday morning whether he stands by Daschle, Obama said firmly: "Absolutely."

If he weathers the tax controversy, Daschle is likely to be one of the best-connected Cabinet secretaries in the administration, if not history.

At least a dozen Daschle alumni are stepping into the highest positions of the federal government. Already, Obama and Vice President Biden have tapped Daschle veterans to manage their staffs, guide foreign policy and craft public relations strategy. In addition to the new HHS chief of staff, the chiefs of staff to Biden, the National Security Council and Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner all worked for Daschle. His allies oversaw Obama's transition team -- including vetting Daschle himself -- and one serves as the president's personal lawyer.

"This is notable for the breadth and scope and number," said Chris Jennings, who was the Clinton administration point man on health care and knows the challenges of navigating the White House bureaucracy.

As news broke over the weekend that Daschle had made several tax errors, many of those former colleagues and aides helped mount a defense, praising his integrity on talk shows, in news releases and in whispered asides. Not a single lawmaker has called for him to withdraw.

But the real potency of the network will come if Daschle is confirmed, said Ross K. Baker, a political scientist at Rutgers University. With such well-placed, trusted advisers, he would be in a position to promote his priorities and shape policy well beyond the contours of his department.

"The fact that he has eyes and ears in the White House, rather than way down in the HHS bureaucracy, is really an advantage," Baker said. He likened Daschle's sphere of influence to the broad power that Henry Kissinger held as secretary of state in the Nixon administration.

"Geography is determinant of influence," he said. "To have people proximate to the president is a real advantage."

Like Daschle, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton can lay claim to an impressive network of insiders, developed during her husband's eight years in the Oval Office and her eight in the Senate. Many have worked for Daschle as well. But the Clinton coalition has become fractured and she carries the lingering scars of a contentious fight with Obama in the Democratic presidential primaries.

By contrast, Daschle and Obama share an uncommon bond, forged during the 2004 campaign. Many -- including aides to Daschle -- had expected him to seek the White House. But the South Dakotan lost a nasty reelection fight, and the young Illinois legislator burst onto the national scene and into the U.S. Senate.

"Tom was the first guy to go with Obama" in the pre-presidential campaign season, said Frederick H. Graefe, a Washington lobbyist and one of Daschle's oldest friends. "He told him, 'Run now, don't wait, don't make the mistake I made. I'll give you everybody I have -- the campaign team, the personal staff, leadership staff, fundraising lists -- lock, stock and barrel.' "

"It was a ready-made team," Graefe added.

As a Senate leader with authority over not just his personal staff but several policy and campaign committees as well, Daschle employed more than 100 people at any given time. From 1994 to 2005, even more than the Clinton White House, "the University of Daschle" was the place to learn the inner workings of governing, Baker said.

More than half a dozen Daschle veterans hold high-ranking White House positions, most notably Pete Rouse, who was his chief of staff and is now senior adviser to the president, and Phil Schiliro, Obama's legislative liaison.

Daschle-ites are also taking positions at the Agriculture Department and the Democratic National Committee. Some of his closest allies are among Obama's most trusted outside advisers, a select group whose influence comes not from a title but from a personal bond. They include John D. Podesta, the Center for American Progress president who masterminded Obama's transition; lawyer Robert Bauer; and political consultant Anita Dunn.

"The spokes of the wheel all lead to Pete Rouse," said Dunn, who has deep ties to both men. "When Pete went to work for Barack, what Barack got -- and I don't think he realized it -- was the only network in Democratic circles that from both a policy and political perspective came close to the Clinton network."

Rouse got his start in Washington in the early 1970s when he and Daschle were young aides to then-Sen. James Abourezk (D-S.D.). In 1986, he began an 18-year stint with Daschle.

When Daschle lost in 2004, he encouraged his team to sign on with Obama. Rouse agreed and eventually recruited many of Obama's top aides, including Schiliro and the husband-and-wife team Dan Pfeiffer and Sarah Feinberg.

If confirmed, Daschle will be "HHS secretary plus," said Dunn, referring to the additional role as head of the new White House Office of Health Reform, which has a small but well-situated office in the basement of the West Wing.

If Daschle were working at HHS headquarters, his "embeds," as Dunn calls them, could provide "an extraordinary level of information and access that most Cabinet secretaries don't have."

"It's a matter of him not having to go in and forge relationships," she said. "Daschle gets to deal directly with people he knows and is comfortable with."

If as HHS secretary he wanted to tweak health tax policy, his longtime chief of staff, Mark Childress, would need only pick up the phone and call former colleague Mark Patterson, Geithner's chief of staff. If there were an international health issue to resolve, Childress could contact Daschle alums Mark Lippert at the NSC and Denis McDonough on the White House staff.

And if Daschle needed assistance from Biden, he could turn to Ron Klain, the vice president's chief of staff, who oversaw the Senate Democratic Leadership Committee for Daschle in 1995. Biden was making calls on Daschle's behalf yesterday.

The Daschle hires that Obama has made are the "cream of the crop" of the Democratic establishment, Jennings said.

"People outside the Daschle orbit recognize his friendship with and influence with President Obama," he said. "It's the cumulative perceptions of his respect and influence within the administration and his former staff. Whether it's an accurate perception or not, perception is reality in Washington."

Staff writers Paul Kane and Joe Stephens and research editor Alice Crites contributed to this report.

Is it any wonder that this crook will get confirmed without a peep from anyone in the administration?

 

[Genx87]

It doesnt surprise me he wont get any obstruction from his former cronies in govt. The question for me is will the MSM push the issue hard enough to make him withdraw?

 

[daniel49]

Originally posted by: Genx87
I think this article illustrates what is wrong in DC. These people ride the wedge issue wave to DC. Then rape the public coffers off our ignorance.

The question I have of course is. Is the person corrupt or does the system make them corrupt? 40 years ago was this guy a power hungry money grubbing douchebag like he is today? Or did 30 years in the system make him this way?That said how do we combat it? In the current setup we, the people are screwed. I think the only way to combat it is to decentralize power. Which will never happen with our big govt happy society and people like him at the helm. We may be finally nearing the edge of the cliff of corruption, entitlement, and arrogance that has destroyed so many empires before us.

Sad but true, the DC scene does seems to lead down the yellow brick road but not to OZ.

 

[Moonbeam]

Good riddance, Asshole.