President Obama, You’re 2-1
Written by: Kim Sawyer
President Obama has had a tough week so far. His nominations are dropping like flies. Tom Daschle and President Obama’s pick for federal spending watchdog both pulled out of contention Tuesday because of personal tax problems. Earlier, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson withdrew as President Obama’s choice as commerce secretary because of an ethical investigation in the state. And, Timothy Geithner won Senate confirmation as treasury secretary despite $34,000 in tax arrears he had belatedly paid. Now, we common tax payers would never get away with being in arrears on our taxes. So, on this point, Obama loses a point.
On the flip side, President Obama earned a point today because he readily admitted that, “I think I screwed up, and I take responsibility for it” as it relates to his nominee fiasco. I like that. Did President Bush EVER admit to making a mistake during his presidency? Please make reference to the fact that I said DURING his presidency – not on his way out the door! I think I’ll answer my own question: Nope, President Bush never admitted to making a mistake while he was president. If I’m wrong, I readily welcome correction.
The other point President Obama earned today was that he put a limit on the executives’ pay who obtain bailout money from the government. I love it! President Obama capped executive’s pay to $500,000 instead of the millions they were continuing to receive even after receiving help from the government. President Obama had this to say about the matter: “This is America. We don’t disparage wealth. We don’t begrudge anybody for achieving success,” Obama said. “But what gets people upset — and rightfully so — are executives being rewarded for failure. Especially when those rewards are subsidized by U.S. taxpayers.”
So, I’ve listed my score for President Obama thus far. What’s yours? Or, are you even keeping track? Let’s talk about it.
Tags: Government Bailout Money, President Obama Caps Executive's Pay, President Obama's nominations are failing
February 5th, 2009 at 1:23 pm
I enjoy reading the story first and guessing if it was you or Tom that wrote it. I am right about 95% of the time, however, today I was wrong! Thank you Kim for keeping people like me well educated on politics. I am doing better at staying up with current events, but I am still not great! I like these posts because they keep me in the know. I’m not really keeping track or score, but until it is a drastic mistake or an inhuman mistake, because it is human to make mistakes, even the HPIC (Head Person In Charge), he is alright with me!
February 5th, 2009 at 4:05 pm
Denada! By writing these posts, I am also learning. Plus, I have never been so interested in politics as I am now due to President Obama. That’s a good thing.
February 5th, 2009 at 7:25 pm
Kim,
I hope you’re sitting down. I actually agree to some extent, admitting faults and limiting bailed out exec’s pay is something I agree with. However (you knew it was coming), how does he not lose a point for each one of his failed appointments? I’d also mark him down on submitting such a pathetic stimulus plan packed full of earmarks and non-stimulating fluff.
I do applaud a person in his position for admitting when he makes mistakes but the key is learning from those mistakes and not making similar errors in judgment in the future. You are quick to jump on the beat down Bush bandwagon but lets remember that Bush never had the cheer leading squad (95% of the media) that Obama has had from day one.
My tally for the time being is 1- 1/2 positive to 4 negative
And can I please ask how in God’s name Geitner got approved? If any of us failed to pay 34k in taxes we’d have our houses taken away. I don’t care how smart this weasel is supposed to be, he should have been thrown out with the door slammed. Our government is so pathetic it’s nauseating.
Ryan Kazinecs last blog post..Day Two Consisted of Dylans Candy Bar, World Trade Center, and Some More Great Food.
February 5th, 2009 at 7:38 pm
What?!!!! You agree with something President Obama did?!!!! As I said before, there’s hope for you yet.
My negative is for Geitner’s nomination and appointment. That should not have happened.
As far as the stimulus bill, they are still hashing it out. Until it’s final, I will reserve my comments.
February 6th, 2009 at 11:49 am
I don’t care how smart this weasel is supposed to be. That’s funny.
February 7th, 2009 at 12:01 pm
Ryan, I can tell you why Bush never had the cheering squad ( I had to word this just the right way ) – from day one, my limited street smarts told me everything coming out of his mouth wasn’t true. Also, all of his actions weren’t necessarily for the good of most Americans.
To understate things about that guy so much just hurt!
Tom Sawyers last blog post..President Obama, You’re 2-1
September 14th, 2010 at 6:12 am
Great ideas.