Daschle: Tax Cheat and Lobbyist
So Tom Daschle has a $140,000 tax “glitch”. Or should we say “glitches,” plural?
After all, we all know that he failed to report six figures’ worth of taxes he owed due to his being driven around by his good buddy the chauffeur.
Oops!
But Daschle had some other whoopsies as well:
Due to an apparent clerical error at InterMedia — which paid Daschle $1 million a year for consulting services — Daschle also failed to pay taxes on one month’s salary.
Oops!
And he improperly deducted several thousand dollars in charitable donations.
Oops! Oops! Oops!
But I have another bone to pick with the former Senator: he’s yet another lobbyist working for an administration that claims not to be employing lobbyists.
Yes, I know: he’s not a lobbyist:
Let’s be clear: Tom Daschle is not a lobbyist. Which is good, because the Obama administration does not employ lobbyists (mostly).
A lobbyist, you see, uses his special insider knowledge, connections, and status to turn a buck and help special interests. Oh, and a lobbyist also has to file a paper certifying that (s)he is a lobbyist. This is a huge difference from what Tom Daschle has been doing the last four years, right?
. . . .
Lobbyists use their insider knowledge and connections to make money from special interests and because they do so directly (call their former colleagues, for example), they must register as lobbyists. Tom Daschle used his insider status and knowledge and connections to make money from special interests but because he did not directly lobby (rather than calling a former colleague, he would tell the special interest who to call), he did not have to register as a lobbyist. And so he can work in the Obama administration.
Got that? Daschle is not a registered lobbyist, so we can overlook the $5.2 million he made advising health insurers and hospitals, among others. We can overlook Daschle’s likely conflicts of interest.
Never mind that Big Media described him as a lobbyist back in 2005, when he became one. NPR interviewed Daschle, who denied being a lobbyist in the interview — but NPR didn’t seem to buy it. Their segment was titled Tom Daschle on His New Role as Lobbyist.
Daschle joined the “Legislative & Public Policy Group” at Alston & Bird with Bob Dole, and it’s not hard to guess why the firm boasted of having both men on the payroll. The firm publicized a discussion featuring Daschle and Dole by saying that their Legislative & Public Policy Group “is well-positioned to provide sound, strategic advice to clients, helping them create new opportunities through the legislative process.”
Bob Dole put it more colorfully in a quote from this 2005 Washington Post article, which described Daschle’s joining Alston & Bird along with Dole:
Dole said the Democrat would be a valuable asset to the firm even though Congress is run by the GOP these days.
“He’s got a lot of friends in the Senate, and I’ve got a lot of friends in the Senate, and, combined, who knows — we might have 51,” Dole joked.
You got Dole’s joke, I take it. 51, you see, is how many votes it takes to get the client’s legislation passed.
Look at how the Washington Post described Daschle’s job then:
Daschle is merely the latest high-profile former lawmaker to jump to the lucrative world of lobbying and law firm work in what has become an increasing trend.
Hmmm. Guess the Washington Post considered Daschle to be a lobbyist, just like NPR — and just like any man off the street would. (Maybe I should ask Greg Packer what he thinks!) Registered or not, the guy’s a lobbyist — pure and simple.
Well, at least he’s popular with the left. Here’s Glenn Greenwald, who says Daschle
embodies everything that is sleazy, sickly, and soul-less about Washington. It’s probably impossible for Obama to fill his cabinet with individuals entirely free of Beltway filth — it’s extremely rare to get anywhere near that system without being infected by it — but Daschle oozes Beltway slime from every pore.
Heh. The folks at Democratic Underground don’t care for him much either, noting that Daschle defended Obama’s 180-degree spin on telecom immunity, even as Daschle was working for Alston & Bird, which lobbied on behalf of AT&T with respect to that very issue.
So, add it up. A tax dodger, a lobbyist in an administration that supposedly doesn’t employ lobbyists, and a slimy, sleazy, soulless politician hated by the right and the left alike.
What’s not to like?
If it works for Tom Daschle, then why doesn’t it work for Joe Francis? Or for Wesley Snipe?
Joe (17aeff) — 2/2/2009 @ 11:14 pm“A tax dodger, a lobbyist in an administration that supposedly doesn’t employ lobbyists, and a slimy, sleazy, soulless politician hated by the right and the left alike.”
At least he’s got that going for him, which is nice.
Well played Sir, well played!
daleyrocks (5d22c0) — 2/2/2009 @ 11:19 pmWith all that in mind, Patterico, remember this article?
http://www.thestar.com/News/USElection/article/540207
Here is the greatest quote from that article:
Wow. “Change we can believe in is not the same as business as usual.” Indeed. Here we are.
But honestly, folks, what did you expect? Obama is an underexperienced pol from the Chicago Machine. Did you really expect Obama to ride into DC on a unicorn, propelled by pooting out Skittles of Hope and Change?
I think it is important, now, to start doing as Patterico has been suggesting: get ourselves a nice set of quotations before and after the election.
And let’s start building parties—Democrat and Republican—that don’t rely on this kind of sleaziness and dishonesty toward voters.
Pretty soon, even Andrew Sullivan will “break up” with his newest political crush. Hope and Change is becoming Mope and Shortchange…
Eric Blair (53ab22) — 2/2/2009 @ 11:22 pmIf Obama had not made such a huge stink about how awful lobbyists are, and how his administration is finally having a white house with no lobbyists*, then we would be paying far less attention to just how bent his people are.
But he’s incompetent, and thinks he can keep on making grandiose comments about the things he wants us to pay little attention to. It’s like a child, really, to mention the things he means to cover up.
Joco (4cdfb7) — 2/2/2009 @ 11:23 pmEric – Meanwhile, according to those same reports, if you legally own a gun and want to get a job in the Obama Administration, FUGGHEDDABBOUDDIT!!!!
daleyrocks (5d22c0) — 2/3/2009 @ 12:09 amYa’ know, I was giving Daschle the benefit of the doubt on the car thing, but this is getting silly. Are all these guys crooks?
Meanwhile, how come the guys that went after Senator Stevens are leaving Dodd alone. How is Dodd’s situation different?
Kevin Murphy (0b2493) — 2/3/2009 @ 12:33 amAccording to the MSM, one of the circles of hell is reserved for unlicensed professionals who don’t pay their taxes on time – People like
Perfect Sense (0922fa) — 2/3/2009 @ 12:45 amDaschleJoe the Plumber.I know it’s old news, but Joe the Plumber was unlicensed because he wasn’t required to have a license. That’s the sort of half-truth that reminds me of a line I read in a book 30-ish years ago: The captain (of the boat) wasn’t drunk tonight.
John Hitchcock (fb941d) — 2/3/2009 @ 1:33 am#6:
Yes. Because they are Democrat.
Dr. K (6601b8) — 2/3/2009 @ 2:44 am“Make no mistake, tax cheaters cheat us all, and the IRS should enforce our laws to the letter. ” Sen. Tom Daschle, Congressional Record, May 7, 1998, p. S4507.
The politically aggitating Dana (3e4784) — 2/3/2009 @ 4:19 amWhere is all the wailing and hand-wringing about Obama’s incompetence in failing to properly vet Daschle? Recall all the gnashing of teeth because McCain didn’t competently vet Joe the Plumber (!) before Obama approached him in his yard and made an ass of himself.
A note to leftists already whining about Obama: SHUT UP. Everyone knew exactly what the guy is and what he would do, and you insisted on his doing it. So again, SHUT UP, eat whatever he deems fit to dole out to you, smile, and say “thank you, sir.”
Federal Dog (9f7406) — 2/3/2009 @ 4:33 amTHe Federal Dog slightly missed it:
Think Kevin Bacon in Animal House, going through his fraternity initiation, ent over and getting spanked, yelling, “THank you, sir! May I have another?”
The snarky Dana (3e4784) — 2/3/2009 @ 5:02 amEven the New York Times is voting Daschle off the island.
That’s gotta hurt.
Pablo (99243e) — 2/3/2009 @ 5:48 amPatterico: “What’s not to like?”
Well, I just can’t find it in my slime filled pores (I am a soul-less conservative you know) to like this guttersnipe.
GM Roper who wants DRJ back on Patterico's Pontifications (85dcd7) — 2/3/2009 @ 6:11 amWell, at least he didn’t approve pardons for terrorists, or look the other way for a guy on the FBI’s Top 10 Most Wanted list. That was another one of Obama’s appointments. Recently approved with a good many GOP Senators in support.
Meet the new Democrat President, different color but essentially the same ethics, or lack thereof, as the old Democrat President.
Ropelight (e36d4f) — 2/3/2009 @ 6:22 amIt stinks!
Emperor7 who wants DRJ back! (1b037c) — 2/3/2009 @ 6:35 amIt was all a planned diversionary move. We raised Hell about Tom Daschle, and in the meantime the Senate quietly confirmed Eric Holder to be Attorney General. We’ve got a more specific complaint about former Senator Daschle, but, of the two, Mr Daschle is the less objectionable.
The conspiracy theorist Dana (3e4784) — 2/3/2009 @ 6:45 amTom Daschle racks up a repulsive record of tax avoidance and feeding at the trough of the special interests he will oversee. Among the tidbits — he earns $2.1M from some private equity fund which throws in a car and drive he never reported as income. It was, he thought, a gift. (A gift??) As one keen observer put it, he monitized his senate career in two short years to the tune of over $5M. He apologizes. And the Senate seems to be marching right along. Yawn once again.
At some point the average voter looks at this and wonders: have they no shame?
http://www.commentarymagazine.com/blogs/index.php/rubin/53032
Joe (17aeff) — 2/3/2009 @ 6:48 amThe best take-down of Obama’s fraudulent promises and brazen lies I’ve ever seen. Congratulations to you, sir!
Brother Bradley J. Fikes, C.O.R., who wants DRJ back! (0ea407) — 2/3/2009 @ 7:21 amFrom Jake Tapper this morning:
Another Tax Problem for Obama Nominee
February 03, 2009 10:28 AM
ABC News has learned that later today, President Obama’s nominee to be chief performance officer, Nancy Killefer, will withdraw her nomination following the revelation that she has a lien on her property for failure to pay taxes.
daleyrocks (5d22c0) — 2/3/2009 @ 7:52 am[…] reported to earn $800,000 to $1 million annually”) — in recruiting Daschle to join (h/t). The article quoted Dole as explaining why Daschle would be such a valuable addition with a […]
Why we need campaign finance and lobbying reform « tangents and digressions (bd1ac8) — 2/3/2009 @ 8:03 amchief performance officer, Nancy Killefer
I wonder what she was going to perform.
The part of this story that annoys me is the insistence by Republicans that Obama should have his nominees since he won the election. Bush was a little different because lots of Democrats swore he had not won but I can’t remember a Republican president who could get any of these creeps confirmed no matter what his winning margin. John Tower was a powerful Senator and defense expert and he was voted down. That was when Cheney became Sec Def.
Democrats have no compunction about fighting dirty. Ask Clarence Thomas. But we always use Marquis of Queensbury rules and get our heads handed to us.
Mike K (2cf494) — 2/3/2009 @ 8:15 amA cheeseburger?
Huey (24ac56) — 2/3/2009 @ 8:19 amWell, it has always been said that Democrat Presidents are concerned with helping the “little people” instead of the “fat cats”, and I can’t help but acknowledge the correctness of that assertion.
AD (8486ab) — 2/3/2009 @ 9:43 amBubba demonstrated his concern by getting BJ’s from an intern in the
OralOval Office; and now, “The One” is openly “reaming out” the taxpayers of the country.It is so reassurring how they are helping us in dealing with our prudish, WASP hang-ups.
Screwed up his income taxes, taxes owed from his income as a lobbyist. This pick has all the elements of a perfect Baracky cabinet member. Or, another one thrown under the back of the bus.
JD (55d896) — 2/3/2009 @ 9:51 amAaaaand….Daschle has withdrawn. Would this have happened before 24 hour news channels and the internet?
Probably not. Bye, Tom!
Pablo (99243e) — 2/3/2009 @ 9:52 amTime to “do the dance.”
John Hitchcock (fb941d) — 2/3/2009 @ 9:54 amWithdraws as SecHHS, but what about the Health Czar position in the WH?
AD (8486ab) — 2/3/2009 @ 9:55 amRichardson, Daschle, Killefer, (should have been Geithner too)
Best Administration EVAR!
Techie (6b5d8d) — 2/3/2009 @ 9:59 amSomeone from Fox News called the Killefer event a critical-mass event that scuttled her and most likely Daschle. I’m not so sure even Barack wants to go beyond critical-mass on the Daschle affair.
John Hitchcock (fb941d) — 2/3/2009 @ 10:01 amThe One is doing a helluva job organizing his community.
A bang-up job.
Techie (6b5d8d) — 2/3/2009 @ 10:02 amGo back to #3, and read that link, folks. I wonder what the authors of that article would say now about the impressive “vetting” process?
Nothing to see, move along.
Halliburton! No Blood for Oil! Bush is stupid!
Yuck. The hypocrisy seems to require a new word for the higher level of hypocrisy.
Eric Blair (1aa50b) — 2/3/2009 @ 10:05 amTechie: that depends on what you mean by “organize,” doesn’t it?
Eric Blair (1aa50b) — 2/3/2009 @ 10:06 amIt sounds like both, according to a letter to O! that’s being quoted.
Pablo (99243e) — 2/3/2009 @ 10:14 amGuaranteed that a Leftist will use Daschle’s withdrawal as proof that this is the most open and ethical administration EVAH!
JD (55d896) — 2/3/2009 @ 10:19 amIt is unfortunate that the standards that have been imposed on the various nominees
AD (8486ab) — 2/3/2009 @ 10:25 am(who have been found wanting) of this President, cannot be held against the President himself.
Standards that a non-partisan media, acting in a professional manner,
would have held up as a vetting standard during the long march to the election in November.
Paul @ Power Line stings a few with this gem on why Obama should now find a GOP nominee to replace Daschle, as he did in replacing Richardson:
AD (8486ab) — 2/3/2009 @ 10:44 am“…There’s a better chance of avoiding an ethics problem that way…”
The press conference is turning into a mess.
htom (412a17) — 2/3/2009 @ 10:54 amThat bus is getting mighty crowded under there – he might need a double wide semi in a few weeks. Hope! Change! Road Apples!
Personally, I blame Bush.
Dmac (49b16c) — 2/3/2009 @ 11:05 amHey, Dmac, I’m sure you have seen this already, but the whole business is getting surreal:
http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2009/02/022720.php
Business as usual. But remember, Republicans are the unethical ones.
Eric Blair (1aa50b) — 2/3/2009 @ 11:26 amHe’s given up his Quest for Power™. Maybe he’ll get another Pontiac.
steve miller (3381bc) — 2/3/2009 @ 11:41 amHa! Great ad, Eric. I never could stand Daschle – every time he spoke I thought of Mr. Peepers, but without the nuance.
Dmac (49b16c) — 2/3/2009 @ 12:03 pmIt’s a good thing he withdrew. He would have been disgraced much later for corruption charges. The leopard never really loses its spots. Not a bad move at all.
Emperor7 who wants DRJ back! (1b037c) — 2/3/2009 @ 12:05 pmSchadenfreude forever.
Obama über alles!!!!! (48dd5e) — 2/3/2009 @ 12:42 pm[…] been reported to earn $800,000 to $1 million annually") — in recruiting Daschle to join (h/t). The article quoted Dole as explaining why Daschle would be such a valuable addition with a […]
How Washington works « Later On (ddcea7) — 2/3/2009 @ 1:04 pmDaschle 1986 TV ad…
Love the tag-line:
A penny saved, is a penny earned.
Now they can flesh it out with…
AD (8486ab) — 2/3/2009 @ 1:11 pmEspecially if you don’t pay taxes on it.
OK, NOW can we stop using the term “RINO”?
I’m not shocked and offended by Tom Daschle’s behavior – or Obama’s. I didn’t expect anything different. In fact, I figure the only reason the news isn’t even more entertainingly scandalous is because we just haven’t found the rest of the skeletons and closets.
But what’s this stuff with Bob Dole, salivating about selling legislation to his corporate pimps? When Republicans continue to act, year after year, like big government Democrats, don’t we sooner or later admit that the name “Republican” doesn’t mean what we thought it meant?
Judd Gregg votes against the Commerce Department, but then accepts the job running it. The rest of the party bemoans the stimulus bill, but last December jumped on the bandwagon to pass one. And when they have the chance they lard the budget with all their own earmarks.
These guys aren’t Republicans-In-Name-Only. They are the majority of the party, and the true conservatives are the minority. Real conservatives may be stuck with the name Republican because they can’t get elected as members of the American Party or Constitution Party or Libertarian Party or some similar group. But the real conservatives are the ones who are not really Republicans… thank God!
Gesundheit (47b0b8) — 2/3/2009 @ 1:15 pmWhat is the deal with Gregg, Daschle has gone down in flames and good riddens, but is the GOP going to lose another Senator? Is there any agreement on a GOP replacement?
Joe (dcebbd) — 2/3/2009 @ 1:20 pmAs I have frequently said, we have a liberal party and a moderate party but no conservative party (in terms of viability). When the Republicans finally were voted into majority status in both houses and the Democrats veered sharply left, I mistakenly thought the Democrats were going to lose a large part of their viability. But then the Republicans veered left to occupy the space the Democrats held.
This is not to say the Republicans were conservative at the time, although they were much more conservative than now. But if they had maintained their principles at that time instead of shifting left, a great deal of damage would’ve been prevented. I’m certain of it.
John Hitchcock (fb941d) — 2/3/2009 @ 1:22 pmJoe, from my understanding, Gregg and the NH governor came to an agreement that Gregg’s seat would be occupied by a Republican. I, for one, am leery of any such agreements and would rather Gregg turn down the offer.
John Hitchcock (fb941d) — 2/3/2009 @ 1:24 pmThe move is a brutally effective maneuver (and also quite intelligent), by Obama’s team in order to decapitate the GOP leadership in the Senate. Almost every congressional watcher gives Gregg the highest marks for intelligence, ability to grasp and synthesize data, and also for leadership regarding complex issues. They can’t afford to lose him, not only for his leadership qualities but also for his vote in the Senate.
Dmac (49b16c) — 2/3/2009 @ 1:40 pmHeckuva job Baracky!
daleyrocks (5d22c0) — 2/3/2009 @ 1:40 pmIts about judgment, not experience.
ROTFLMAO!!!!!
Obama über alles!!!!! (48dd5e) — 2/3/2009 @ 1:49 pmAnd somewhere George Bush is grilling a steak, settling in with a fine Texas sunset.
Vermont Neighbor (ab0837) — 2/3/2009 @ 3:50 pmIf we’re lucky maybe O will take the choo-choo back to Illinois. Permanently! : )
Vermont Neighbor (ab0837) — 2/3/2009 @ 3:53 pmBARACK MY WORLD ! Yeah baby. Karma.
Vermont Neighbor (ab0837) — 2/3/2009 @ 3:55 pmComment by Vermont Neighbor — 2/3/2009 @ 3:53 pm
Just think about that?
AD (8486ab) — 2/3/2009 @ 4:07 pmHow many have ever permanently returned from whence they came?
You can’t walk down K-Street without stumbling into an ex-Congressman or ex-Senator.
If they go home, they’re just some guy who went to DC for a few years.
In DC, they’re power brokers!
We don’t need term limits, we need expiration dates.
Obama told NBC “I’m frustrated with myself” for unintentionally sending a message that there are “two sets of rules” for paying taxes, “one for prominent people and one for ordinary folks.”
“I take responsibility for this mistake,” he told Fox News.
_____________________________________
Gee, ya think!
daleyrocks (5d22c0) — 2/3/2009 @ 4:11 pmQuestion – How does the American public deal with a criminal like this? Do Senators get impeached? Certainly they must equally law abiding as the rest of us and whst should be done with he who makes the law, breaks the law? Seems to me his punishment should at least be what he recommended for the rest of us. Oh but I forgot members of the congress are above the rest of us — like they don’t pay into the social security system we nice taxpayers just pay them their full salary for the rest of their lives– B.S. It’s about time we send out a petition to oppose lawyers as politicians–conflict of interest big time. Your thoughts people….
goose vs gander (38cd60) — 2/3/2009 @ 4:18 pm“Senator Daschle would have been extraordinarily capable of confronting our nation’s many health-related challenges and improving health care for all Americans, but I respect his decision to withdraw amid the circumstances.” Harry Reid on Daschle
Seriously, Harry? The best you can do is make excuses when what would actually earn you and your party some points would be to just say it straight-up: Tom Daschle, you broke the trust of the American public by cheating on your taxes. The public deserves better.
This is why I could not be a Democrat – they are a party of spineless weenies who misplaced their stones and conveniently found it much easier to be a touchy-feely group of hand-wringing excuse makers rather than actually being able to man-up on their on their own hind feet and collectively make a righteous stand,
“We reject you, Tom, because you have broken the public’s trust before even hitting the confirmation hearing. We reject you Tom, because the trust of the public is far more important than you. We reject you Tom, because you didn’t have the backbone to humbly withdraw your own name from consideration even while knowing you had broken the public’s trust and seriously, Tom, for the sake of the party and our party, upholding your new President’s mandate to have an open and accountable government is far more important than any strokes you would get from being his appointee.
I could respect them for that.
Dana (137151) — 2/3/2009 @ 4:21 pmAD, we should cut them off at the kneecaps at the end of their reign. The power just gets recycled for civilian work – and with much less oversight.
Actually, good point from Dmac on the GOP total. I’m kind of nervous with Barry in the drivers seat. How difficult is it to vet? Or pay Caroline to do some of her quality vetting. When the screaming gets loud, he just warms up the bus. It’s sort of turning into a trainwreck. Even the supporters have to be wincing (except Sullivan).
Vermont Neighbor (ab0837) — 2/3/2009 @ 4:33 pmgoose v gander,
My thoughts are in line with this:
Vermont Neighbor (ab0837) — 2/3/2009 @ 4:36 pmgoose,
Oppose lawyers as politicians? I don’t see why work and ethics are in conflict. Lawyers are in the House, all over, everywhere. Let ’em pontificate for votes. Works for me.
Vermont Neighbor (ab0837) — 2/3/2009 @ 4:39 pmAnd when does Barry’s mother-in-law move in to the WH? Isn’t she supposed to keep things running smoothly? Barry is getting off to a less than stellar start here.
Vermont Neighbor (ab0837) — 2/3/2009 @ 4:47 pmGood riddance.
Onward and Upward to better things for Obama and the country.
Peter (e70d1c) — 2/3/2009 @ 4:49 pmPromises, promises, promises. Quit teasing us.
JD (5535b9) — 2/3/2009 @ 4:53 pmI have to say it is indeed intriguing to find even the left wanting nothing to do with Daschle.
John Hitchcock (fb941d) — 2/3/2009 @ 4:54 pm“I take responsibility for this mistake,”
Gee, that’s mighty big of him. You’re the farkin’ POTUS, start acting like it and man the freak up.
Dmac (49b16c) — 2/3/2009 @ 5:07 pmEveryone calm down…
Obama has an internal ethics team working on the problem. It’s pretty clear that Obama is just saying what he has to say to one group of people. He doesn’t really think D-Tom did anything bad. The internal team ran the docs and everything is okay. The kids are already asking about the labradoodle. So’s the media. Nothing to see here. Move along.
Vermont Neighbor (ab0837) — 2/3/2009 @ 5:08 pmLawyers should be constitutionally barred from Elective Office, particularly legislative office:
AD (8486ab) — 2/3/2009 @ 5:17 pmConflict of Interest!
The much prettier Dana wrote:
The running joke at the plant when someone says something like that is, “The drug test lady will be here in the morning.”
Former Senator Daschle said that he “thought” of his problem last June, which means — unless he was lying through his scummy teeth — that he knew he had a potentially disabling problem, and he still went through with this, still let President Obama nominate him to a position requiring Senate confirmation.
Mr Daschle isn’t exactly a political neophyte: he saw, first hand, what failure to pay taxes did to Zoë Baird and Kimba Wood and Linda Chavez and their cabinet nominations.
Instead, all of the Democrites are standing up and saying, gosh, how sad it is that the country will be deprived of the services of this great man for such a trivial mistake. Yet we don’t have to imagine what their reaction would be were this the nominee of a Republican president; just ask Linda Chavez.
The pissed off Dana (556f76) — 2/3/2009 @ 5:38 pmThe running joke at the plant when someone says something like that is, “The drug test lady will be here in the morning.”
Well, P.O.’d Dana, I’m beginning to think I must be using because this tax cheating plague is like a bad trip so send her my way.
Dana (137151) — 2/3/2009 @ 6:28 pmjust ask Linda Chavez
Or Raymond Donovan; or Robert Bork, or…
Dmac (49b16c) — 2/3/2009 @ 6:34 pmMe, I think the voters of South Dakota had the right idea. Who in their right mind votes out a Senate Minority Leader? South Dakotans, that’s who.
Pablo (99243e) — 2/3/2009 @ 7:25 pmPablo – Cheating on his taxes was an issue when Daschle was voted out. He claimed a homestead exemption for his Washington mansion as a primary residence but filed income taxes as a South Dakota resident because the state has no income tax. It’s kind of tough to claim your primary residence is in two states at once, but Tommy boy wanted to save on those high D.C. property taxes. Thune made it an issue in the election an people apparently were not impressed at Dascgle’s cheating to save a net $288. At least he went for bigger bucks this time.
daleyrocks (5d22c0) — 2/3/2009 @ 7:51 pmHey Daleyrocks
What do you call the study of idiot politicians who destroy their reputations by fudging on their taxes?
TAXIDERMY
Thank you thany you – I’m here all week
EricPWJohnson (806bed) — 2/3/2009 @ 9:01 pmHey, who knew the pure genius of Obama exposing all these serial tax cheats – not with 100 million dollar investigations
but by just nominating them
Pure Genius – he said he would clean the streets and by george he is….
EricPWJohnson (806bed) — 2/3/2009 @ 9:03 pmHeh!
Vermont Neighbor (ab0837) — 2/4/2009 @ 10:08 am[…] to earn $800,000 to $1 million annually”) — in recruiting Daschle to join (h/t). The article quoted Dole as explaining why Daschle would be such a valuable addition with a […]
Bob Dole’s perfect description of how Washington works (270326) — 12/23/2010 @ 3:49 am