An Aussie take: President's choice admits tax failure

[depakid]

TOM DASCHLE failed to pay tax on income of $US250,000 ($395,000) relating to a chauffeur-driven Cadillac that ferried him about town for three years. But don't call the politician a limousine liberal.

When he visited Capitol Hill on Monday to explain his tax problems to senators, Mr Daschle - Barack Obama's choice to run the Department of Health and Human Services - came in one cab and left in another. The sign painted on the door of the cabs read "M. Djebbour Taxi Co".

"My failure to recognise that the use of a car was income and not a gift from a good friend was a mistake," the former Senate majority leader explained as his onetime colleagues stood behind him in a display of support. "It was completely inadvertent. But that's no excuse, and I deeply apologise to President Obama, to my colleagues and to the American people."

It's unclear whether the American people will accept the apology; they tend to look unfavourably on people who amass more than $US350,000 in unreported income and improper deductions. They also might be sceptical of somebody who used his connections and influence to pile up more than $US5.2 million since he left the Senate, much of it from a major Democratic donor and $US220,000 of it from health-care interests that Mr Daschle, if confirmed by senators, will begin to regulate.

More: http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/presidents-choice-admits-tax-failure/2009/02/03/1233423223268.html

The embarrassment is going international- and potentially may affect Congress and the new adminstration's credibility.

[Triana]

1. It's ALREADY threatened their credibility - and not just with wingnuts..

...it's also affected it with ME.

[Still Sensible]

2. IMO Dashle should step down

and save the administration the embarrassment.