rssAnother Tax Evasion, Another Obama Administration Casualty
Tuesday, February 03, 2009 at 10:42 am
- 20 Comments
President Obama’s team of advisers, initially touted for its wealth of experience and qualifications, continues to unravel as Nancy Killefer withdraws her nomination for chief performance officer, CNN reports. In this newly created position, Killefer would have worked with the Office of Management and Budget to increase “efficiency, transparency and accountability” in government.
This tax-evasion revelation comes on the heels of similar scandals that have embroiled Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and health czar-designee Tom Daschle. While Killefer’s post is not as high-profile as Geithner’s or Daschle’s, its central focus is fiscal responsibility. A lack of such discipline in Killefer’s personal life would reflect poorly on her integrity for the job.
If her case were an isolated one, she might be able to push through with an apology, as Geithner has and Daschle likely will. But now that a pattern has formed, she appears to be the proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back.
She is the second Obama nominee to withdraw her name. New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson gave up his commerce secretary nomination amidst a federal investigation into his dealings with a California financial company contracting with the state government.
UPDATE: From the White House, here’s Killefer’s letter to Obama:
February 3, 2009
Dear Mr. President,
I recognize that your agenda and the duties facing your Chief Performance Officer are urgent. I have also come to realize in the current environment that my personal tax issue of D.C. Unemployment tax could be used to create exactly the kind of distraction and delay those duties must avoid. Because of this I must reluctantly ask you to withdraw my name from consideration.
I am deeply honored to have been selected by you and you have my deep appreciation for your confidence in me. You have my heartfelt support and best wishes for success in all your endeavors.
Respectfully yours,
Nancy Killefer
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20 Comments
Comment posted February 3, 2009 @ 1:55 pm
This vetting process appears to be most enlighting. So much so, that perhaps we should devote some of the stimulus plan spending to conducting annual IRS audits on every member of the House and Senate prior to their re-elections. All those in favor say “Aye”
Comment posted February 3, 2009 @ 6:41 pm
What has happened to Obama's vetting process that such breaches of personal “transparency and accountability” have come to light? Has the Obama team outsourced their vetters to the group that sifted through Sarah Palin's political laundry? Gosh! we're barely one month into the new administration and already three nominees have been revealed to be tax cheats. Appallingly, the president is awash in praise for owning up to his team's incompetence. Would that McCain had been given such a free ride.
Maybe the “change” we've been encouraged to hope for is merely …hopeful? Mr. President, the honeymoon is turning pretty sour. There's just so much a sheepish grin and “I goofed” admission can do for you, even with an adoring press. Look to the people, that is, us, for redemption.
Comment posted February 3, 2009 @ 9:55 pm
This vetting process appears to be most enlighting. So much so, that perhaps we should devote some of the stimulus plan spending to conducting annual IRS audits on every member of the House and Senate prior to their re-elections. All those in favor say “Aye”
Comment posted February 4, 2009 @ 2:41 am
What has happened to Obama's vetting process that such breaches of personal “transparency and accountability” have come to light? Has the Obama team outsourced their vetters to the group that sifted through Sarah Palin's political laundry? Gosh! we're barely one month into the new administration and already three nominees have been revealed to be tax cheats. Appallingly, the president is awash in praise for owning up to his team's incompetence. Would that McCain had been given such a free ride.
Maybe the “change” we've been encouraged to hope for is merely …hopeful? Mr. President, the honeymoon is turning pretty sour. There's just so much a sheepish grin and “I goofed” admission can do for you, even with an adoring press. Look to the people, that is, us, for redemption.
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