Fun With Dick & Jane

Dick moves to the right in today’s podcast – to the point where by the end of the hour I asked him why he is a democrat.

We talk about Daschle – before he withdraws his nomination, President Obama’s second week in office, Iraq successes, General Petreaus, Obama’s move toward socialism, the bail-out bill, President Obama’s pessimism, and Michael Steele.

Enjoy!

Late on Friday of Superbowl Weekend we learn that Tom Dasche, President Obama’s choice for Secretary of Health and Human Services has a tax problem. Like Tim Geithner,  Tom Daschle  forgot to pay his taxes but miraculously remembered in time to be nominated for a job by President Obama.   (Does a memo go out or something?)

Daschle started out modestly enough as a Democrat Senator from South Dakota elected in 1986 who rose to minority leader in 1994.  Ten years later he lost his relection bid to Republican John Thune.  During his time in the Senate, Daschle managed to become a multi-millionaire.  It might have something to do with his marriage to a high powered lobbyist, or it might just be another one of those examples of how our elected officials become wealthy while serving our country despite the fact that they are paid a salary and produce absolutely nothing.  (Daschle’s salary in his last year in office was $157,626.)  Four years later he owes nearly that much in ‘forgotten’ taxes.

Not to worry says the Obama administration, no news here.

Daschle is the latest of a string of nominees by President Obama who is apparently too stupid to play by the rules, but too important not to confirm.

UPDATE:  I like Tom Maguire’s take:

Obama’s emerging deficit-reduction strategy – keep nominating wealthy Dems to top posts and watch the back taxes flow in.

We could call it a “stimulus plan”.