Wundebar, but not surprising. President-elect Barack Obama’s Treasury Secretary-designee, Timothy Geithner, allegedly failed to pay FICA taxes for himself for several years. That said, tis true, we have new information that could keep the teapot boiling.
That said, per the Senate Finance Committee (PDF), although audited by the IRS in 2006 over the back taxes for his time working for the International Monetary Fund, Geithner didn’t pony up the amount of back taxes he owed until Dec. 5 of last year, after Obama nominated him.
And, this leads to other questions.
No, Geithner is not a tax lawyer, but did nobody inform him that he would be considered self-employed at IMF? Considering the WSJ claims this isn’t the first such case, isn’t there some responsibility somewhere.
Second, re Obama’s vetting process. Who first spotted this? Did somebody find out Geithner hadn’t paid the back taxes, or did he volunteer the info? Does this have any reflection on the vetting of Bill Richardson?
The immigration issue may or may not be a bit more serious, even though the woman was a legal resident. Not serious from Geithner's part as much as ... how do you let your papers lapse? And, given the update on Geithner's tax info, how much do we trust what he's saying about the nanny?
Showing posts with label Political Cluelessness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Political Cluelessness. Show all posts
January 13, 2009
January 12, 2009
Sen. 'Joe the Plumber'?
If Joe Wurzelbacher really does run for the Senate seat of the retiring George Voinovich, I don't know whether to applaud for the comedy value or to groan and ask somebody to shoot me that American politics has fallen that low.
April 10, 2008
Lost leg and lost brains – Political cluelessness
I am not denigrating the courage of career Marine Sgt. William “Spanky” Gibson , who is returning to Iraq after having his lower left leg amputated. Nor am I denigrating his stereotypical Marine loyalty to the Corps.
I am challenging his political and international affairs brainpower, though:
No, we did not have multiple killing-level religious conflicts 232 years ago. No, we did not have central government so weak that the Articles of Confederation would seem like the acme of centralized government. No, we did not have rampant daylight kidnappings. No, we did not have shakedowns and bribery for government services. No, we did not have neighboring countries trying to manipulate factions in a civil war.
Other than that. Sgt. Gibson, yes, Iraq 2008 is exactly like America 1776. Congraluations for chugging a double shot of Bush Kool-Aid.
I am challenging his political and international affairs brainpower, though:
“This is where we were 232 years ago as a new nation,” he once said. “Now they're starting a new nation, and that's one of my big reasons for coming back here.”
No, we did not have multiple killing-level religious conflicts 232 years ago. No, we did not have central government so weak that the Articles of Confederation would seem like the acme of centralized government. No, we did not have rampant daylight kidnappings. No, we did not have shakedowns and bribery for government services. No, we did not have neighboring countries trying to manipulate factions in a civil war.
Other than that. Sgt. Gibson, yes, Iraq 2008 is exactly like America 1776. Congraluations for chugging a double shot of Bush Kool-Aid.
April 06, 2008
Mark Penn quits - political cluelessness
I’m sure many Democrats who have supported Hillary Clinton would have invented a “Columbia flap” long ago, had they known that would have been enough to force him out.
As most political-watchers know, Clinton campaign strategist Penn got in trouble last week after meeting with Columbian Ambassador Carolina Barco Isaksonon behalf of Penn private-sector employer Burton-Marsteller, touting a free trade treaty with Columbia that Clinton opposes.
But, political insiders have also known that Burton-Marsteller’s client list, many of them antiunion companies, has been problematic for Clinton for some time.
However, Penn will remain chief pollster for Clinton.
Like her dismissal of Patti Solis Doyle as campaign manager, this is months too late for Clinton to catch Barack Obama. And, probably too late to totally undo damage in Pennsylvania.
As most political-watchers know, Clinton campaign strategist Penn got in trouble last week after meeting with Columbian Ambassador Carolina Barco Isaksonon behalf of Penn private-sector employer Burton-Marsteller, touting a free trade treaty with Columbia that Clinton opposes.
But, political insiders have also known that Burton-Marsteller’s client list, many of them antiunion companies, has been problematic for Clinton for some time.
However, Penn will remain chief pollster for Clinton.
Like her dismissal of Patti Solis Doyle as campaign manager, this is months too late for Clinton to catch Barack Obama. And, probably too late to totally undo damage in Pennsylvania.
March 24, 2008
Political Cluelessness – Clinton hearts Greenspan to clean up own mess
Hillary Clinton says former Federal Reserve head Alan Greenspan should head a bipartisan group determining just what steps the government needed to take to help fix the housing crunch.
Since St. Alan helped CAUSE the housing crunch, this is simply stupidity on Clinton’s part, probably mixed with a fair degree of suckup-itis for Wall Street.
If you like posts like this, click on the Political Cluelessness tag.
Since St. Alan helped CAUSE the housing crunch, this is simply stupidity on Clinton’s part, probably mixed with a fair degree of suckup-itis for Wall Street.
If you like posts like this, click on the Political Cluelessness tag.
March 13, 2008
Send Preznit strong dollar with his pony
That’s because, despite his plaintive pleading, Bush is about as likely to find a strong dollar as he is the Reaganesque pony at the bottom of the shitpile.
Here’s his hugely insightful comments:
I guess Yale and that Harvard MBA did learn you a few things about economics.
Next, he’ll say, “When a great many people are unable to find work, unemployment results,” like Coolidge!
Here’s his hugely insightful comments:
“Those aren’t good tidings, if you’re for a strong dollar like I am,” Bush said about the exchange rate.
“One reason I am for a strong dollar is because ... I think it helps deal with inflation,” he said.
“Our dollar doesn't buy as many barrels of oil as it used to, and so therefore it’s more expensive for the American people.”
I guess Yale and that Harvard MBA did learn you a few things about economics.
Next, he’ll say, “When a great many people are unable to find work, unemployment results,” like Coolidge!
March 11, 2008
Some summary thoughts on the Spitzer situation
I don’t have a URL, because if you don’t understand “Spitzer situation,” you haven’t been intaking much news in the last day or two.
First, no, I don’t think prostitution should be criminalized. But, if legalized, it needs to be regulated, as in Nevada, for the protection of all parties involved.
Second, re Spitzer, it’s the cover-up, in this case, the shuffling of large dollar amounts, etc., that always gets you.
Third, as stated before, psychological repression is a good way to get tripped up, whether you’re a politician or not.
Fourth, DON’T use the name of an actual friend, political acquaintance or business acquaintance to cover your tracks in a situation like this. I imagine the real George Fox is mad as hell at Spitzer about now, and rightfully so. That said, an act of such unthinking, and desperation, probably goes directly to Point No. 3 above.
Fifth, if you are going to pay for high-priced call girls, especially if you’ve made your reputation prosecuting financial corruption, can you not be smart enough to recognize what money shuffling will trigger your bank to contact the IRS? Know that your bank will contact the IRS if it appears you are trying to break your money transfers down into smaller amounts just to avoid the $10,000 reporting trigger.
Sixth, given the multiplication of the sexuality-related 12-step groups, why doesn’t Spitzer tearfully announce he has an addiction and is taking a leave of absence for counseling and rehab? GOPers in the New York state legislature would look incredibly mean-spirited if they tried to impeach him while he was in a rehab.
Seventh, do not ask your bank to remove your name off wire transfers of serious amounts of money after first requesting them. You just raised the suspicion red flag and started waving it furiously in your own face.
First, no, I don’t think prostitution should be criminalized. But, if legalized, it needs to be regulated, as in Nevada, for the protection of all parties involved.
Second, re Spitzer, it’s the cover-up, in this case, the shuffling of large dollar amounts, etc., that always gets you.
Third, as stated before, psychological repression is a good way to get tripped up, whether you’re a politician or not.
Fourth, DON’T use the name of an actual friend, political acquaintance or business acquaintance to cover your tracks in a situation like this. I imagine the real George Fox is mad as hell at Spitzer about now, and rightfully so. That said, an act of such unthinking, and desperation, probably goes directly to Point No. 3 above.
Fifth, if you are going to pay for high-priced call girls, especially if you’ve made your reputation prosecuting financial corruption, can you not be smart enough to recognize what money shuffling will trigger your bank to contact the IRS? Know that your bank will contact the IRS if it appears you are trying to break your money transfers down into smaller amounts just to avoid the $10,000 reporting trigger.
Sixth, given the multiplication of the sexuality-related 12-step groups, why doesn’t Spitzer tearfully announce he has an addiction and is taking a leave of absence for counseling and rehab? GOPers in the New York state legislature would look incredibly mean-spirited if they tried to impeach him while he was in a rehab.
Seventh, do not ask your bank to remove your name off wire transfers of serious amounts of money after first requesting them. You just raised the suspicion red flag and started waving it furiously in your own face.
March 07, 2008
The cluelessness of Obama staff – Samantha Power update
Enough additional stuff has “moved” on the Samantha Power case since I originally posted this last night that the story line needed an update in a separate post.
Barack Obama foreign policy aide Samantha Power tried an ex post facto comment retraction of a comment about Hillary Clinton:
“She is a monster, too – that is off the record – she is stooping to anything.”
And, a personal aside. I’ve been the journalist on the receiving end of just a gaffe myself, when a school district superintendent called the federal Title I program a “candy store” in the middle of a school board meeting, then tried to retract it.
Now, lemme see on the fallout. Tweety Chris Matthews will probably go into misogynist mode with both snafus being about women. Maureen Dowd will probably figure out a new spin on “shoulder-pad feminism” or worse, while more serious analysts will wonder if Power didn’t just prove Rice right.
Power has now resigned over the comment.
Futher tidbit: Here’s Josh Marshall’s take on the Power resignation and how it shows Clinton is inside Obama’s head right now:
I agree; what else is there to say?
And, how does a former experienced professional journalist shoot herself in the foot like this? (And no, I don’t think the Scotsman sandbagged her or something. Per Wikipedia: From 1993 to 1996, she worked as a journalist, covering the Yugoslavian wars for U.S. News & World Report, The Boston Globe, The Economist, and The New Republic. Boy, Clinton must really be inside Obama staff’s heads.
Update: Earlier, I had raised the idea of an arrogance meme. I am corrected on this; the interview with the Scotsman was not an official campaign interview, but rather part of her book tour for her new biography of the late UN official Sergio Vieira de Mello.
Barack Obama foreign policy aide Samantha Power tried an ex post facto comment retraction of a comment about Hillary Clinton:
“She is a monster, too – that is off the record – she is stooping to anything.”
And, a personal aside. I’ve been the journalist on the receiving end of just a gaffe myself, when a school district superintendent called the federal Title I program a “candy store” in the middle of a school board meeting, then tried to retract it.
Now, lemme see on the fallout. Tweety Chris Matthews will probably go into misogynist mode with both snafus being about women. Maureen Dowd will probably figure out a new spin on “shoulder-pad feminism” or worse, while more serious analysts will wonder if Power didn’t just prove Rice right.
Power has now resigned over the comment.
Futher tidbit: Here’s Josh Marshall’s take on the Power resignation and how it shows Clinton is inside Obama’s head right now:
Obama folks can either withdraw to a world where the “new politics” reigns or focus on the fact that here in the real world there are two “old politics” practitioners standing between him and the presidency and he needs to decide how he's going to deal with that fact..
I agree; what else is there to say?
And, how does a former experienced professional journalist shoot herself in the foot like this? (And no, I don’t think the Scotsman sandbagged her or something. Per Wikipedia: From 1993 to 1996, she worked as a journalist, covering the Yugoslavian wars for U.S. News & World Report, The Boston Globe, The Economist, and The New Republic. Boy, Clinton must really be inside Obama staff’s heads.
Update: Earlier, I had raised the idea of an arrogance meme. I am corrected on this; the interview with the Scotsman was not an official campaign interview, but rather part of her book tour for her new biography of the late UN official Sergio Vieira de Mello.
The cluelessness of Obama campaign staff
Hey, if I can write about the cluelessness of Nancy Pelosi, maybe I ought to just make “political cluelessness” in general a blog theme. (Send me tips and URLs to Socratic Gadfly.)
Obama has two staffers who get the dunce cap.
First, top Obama foreign policy advisor Susan Rice says of both Hillary Clinton AND her own boss that “they’re not ready” in terms of foreign policy experience.
Shooting your own self in the foot is bad enough; shooting your boss in the foot, and not in a backgrounder, but in an interview, is pretty effing stupid.
Second, Obama foreign policy aide Samantha Power tried an ex post facto comment retraction of a comment about Hillary Clinton:
“She is a monster, too – that is off the record – she is stooping to anything.”
And, a personal aside. I’ve been the journalist on the receiving end of just a gaffe myself, when a school district superintendent called the federal Title I program a “candy store” in the middle of a school board meeting, then tried to retract it.
Now, lemme see on the fallout. Tweety Chris Matthews will probably go into misogynist mode with both snafus being about women. Maureen Dowd will probably figure out a new spin on “shoulder-pad feminism” or worse, while more serious analysts will wonder if Power didn’t just prove Rice right.
Update: Power has resigned.
Futher tidbit: Here’s Josh Marshall’s take on the Power resignation and how it shows Clinton is inside Obama’s head right now:
I agree; what else is there to say?
Update: Earlier, on Power, I had raised the idea of an arrogance meme. I am corrected on this; the interview with the Scotsman was not an official campaign interview, but rather part of her book tour for her new biography of the late UN official Sergio Vieira de Mello.
Obama has two staffers who get the dunce cap.
First, top Obama foreign policy advisor Susan Rice says of both Hillary Clinton AND her own boss that “they’re not ready” in terms of foreign policy experience.
Shooting your own self in the foot is bad enough; shooting your boss in the foot, and not in a backgrounder, but in an interview, is pretty effing stupid.
Second, Obama foreign policy aide Samantha Power tried an ex post facto comment retraction of a comment about Hillary Clinton:
“She is a monster, too – that is off the record – she is stooping to anything.”
And, a personal aside. I’ve been the journalist on the receiving end of just a gaffe myself, when a school district superintendent called the federal Title I program a “candy store” in the middle of a school board meeting, then tried to retract it.
Now, lemme see on the fallout. Tweety Chris Matthews will probably go into misogynist mode with both snafus being about women. Maureen Dowd will probably figure out a new spin on “shoulder-pad feminism” or worse, while more serious analysts will wonder if Power didn’t just prove Rice right.
Update: Power has resigned.
Futher tidbit: Here’s Josh Marshall’s take on the Power resignation and how it shows Clinton is inside Obama’s head right now:
Obama folks can either withdraw to a world where the “new politics” reigns or focus on the fact that here in the real world there are two “old politics” practitioners standing between him and the presidency and he needs to decide how he's going to deal with that fact..
I agree; what else is there to say?
Update: Earlier, on Power, I had raised the idea of an arrogance meme. I am corrected on this; the interview with the Scotsman was not an official campaign interview, but rather part of her book tour for her new biography of the late UN official Sergio Vieira de Mello.
The cluelessness of Nancy Pelosi — John Hagee edition
Like my semi-regular “Irony Alert” and “Hypocrisy Alert” posts, the cluelessness of our Speaker of the House could turn into a regular blog feature here.
Today’s installment? After calling for John McCain to reject the endorsement of bigoted “evangelist” (spreading the gospel of hate? Armageddon? Anti-Catholicism, to be sure) John Hagee, our nation’sbeloved dimwit Speaker had to be reminded McCain solicited Hagee’s endorsement. A blogger on a blog conference call had to remind her of that.
But, wait, it gets better.
As TPM notes, AFTER she was reminded of this, she STILL (sorry, have to use caps plus bold for stupidity of this level) uttered this gem:
“I can’t imagine that he wouldn't reject it.”
Oh, also consider this Reason No. 1,044 not to vote Democratic. With leadership like that, you deserve to be fuck-ups. Unfortunately, a country that deserves better has to suffer in the process.
Today’s installment? After calling for John McCain to reject the endorsement of bigoted “evangelist” (spreading the gospel of hate? Armageddon? Anti-Catholicism, to be sure) John Hagee, our nation’s
But, wait, it gets better.
As TPM notes, AFTER she was reminded of this, she STILL (sorry, have to use caps plus bold for stupidity of this level) uttered this gem:
“I can’t imagine that he wouldn't reject it.”
Oh, also consider this Reason No. 1,044 not to vote Democratic. With leadership like that, you deserve to be fuck-ups. Unfortunately, a country that deserves better has to suffer in the process.
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