Barack's Rookie Mistakes

by John M. Curtis
(310) 204-8700

Copyright February 4, 2009
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          Showing battle fatigue from a bruising election campaign, President Barack Obama commemorated his first two weeks in office accepting an embarrassing resignation of former Sen. Majority Leader Tom Daschle (R-S.D.), his nominee for Health and Human Services.  Barack deviated from his own principles, his promise to set new ethnical standards for his White House.  Daschle’s tax problems—owing a $128,000 in unpaid taxes—were known for months but, more importantly, his lobbying ties to the health care industry should have been the deal breaker.  “Tom made a mistake, which he has openly acknowledged,” Obama said the day before Dascle withdrew his name.  “He has not excused it, nor do I. But that mistake and his decision cannot diminish the many contributions Tom has made to this country,” proving that it was Barack who made the bigger mistake.

            Barack stretched his political capital with his Treasury Secretary nominee Timothy Geithner, whose failure to pay self-employment taxes should have excluded him from the Cabinet.  Cutting Barack some slack, Geithner convinced the Senate Finance committee that his close ties to former Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson and Federal Reserve Board Chairman Ben Bernanke warranted an exception for the good of the nation at a time of great economic peril.  Arguing for Daschle was a no-brainer, a deeply flawed Cabinet pick, whose own tax and lobbyist ties should have been obvious.  Barack’s support of Daschle showed tone-deafness to his message of change and Washington’s atmosphere seeking a clean slate from past sleaze.  Daschle’s exit was preceded only a few hours by Nancy Kilefer’s withdrawal for tax problems, Barack’s choice for the government’s first Performance Officer.

            Barack’s powerful speechmaking during the campaign spoke volumes about his ideals but little about his common sense or experience.  He beat Sen. McCain (R-Ariz.) largely because of former President George W. Bush’s failures and McCain’s colossal mistake of picking Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.  Chances are he would have beaten McCain no matter who he picked because of the economic mess.  After Daschle’s embarrassing exit, Barack must reconnoiter, re-center himself and go back to basics:  His overwhelming bipartisan message.  His recovery plan faces problems in the Senate precisely because it’s too partisan, lacking the bipartisan stamp promised during the campaign.  He’s let too many Democratic operatives call the shots both in terms of Cabinet picks and his economic plan.  Two weeks into his administration, it’s not time to dig in his heels.

            Barack’s old colleague Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) got it wrong about Daschle’s loss.  “It really sets us back a step,” said Durbin.  “Because he was such a talent.  I mean he understood Congress, serving in the House and Senate he certainly had the confidence of the president,” failing to recognize that tainted leaders can’t capitalize on their experience and talent.  “I am not a leader, and I will not be a distraction” to the White House, said Daschle, recognizing the importance of credibility.  Obama must also recognize that precious commodity, now posing problems for his economic recovery plan.  Bipartisanship requires Obama to be above the fray, unwilling to tolerate flaws in possible Cabinet picks, no matter what the cost.  Daschle understood his tax problems posed a serious blow to his credibility and the moral high ground of advancing the president’s health care agenda.

            Starting with a fresh slate requires Barack to pick a Cabinet untainted by past ethical breaches.  GOP critics extended Obama the benefit of the doubt with Geithner and more recently with recently confirmed Atty. Gen. Eric Holder Jr., whose tacit approval of former President Bill Clinton’s last minute pardon of billionaire fugitive tax evader Marc Rich was unforgivable.  Approving Holder should have signaled to Obama that he must pick his battles wisely.  Barack, not Daschle, should have rescinded his offer.  “Part of leadership is recognizing when there has been a mistake made and responding quickly,” said Sen. Jim DeMint (R.S.C.), noting that Obama lost credibility.  Obama can easily correct his mistake by listening to himself, rather than his consultants.  Had Barack called for Daschle to step down, it would have reassured the GOP that he was keeping his promise of a clean slate.

            Barack’s early mistakes can be chocked up to youthful enthusiasm following a stunning victory on Nov. 4.  Political capital can be too easily squandered by picking the wrong battles.  Obama won with Geithner and Holder and should have shown some deference to the GOP with Daschle.  Supporting Daschle sent the wrong message, especially given Barack’s pledge to keep lobbyists from calling the shots.  Barack must remind himself that the campaign doesn’t stop the day he won office.  His passion and principles that prevailed on Nov. 4 must guide his actions, despite well-intentioned political and media consultants.  Reclaiming the high ground requires Barack to demand the highest standards for his personnel.  No past experience or current connections compensate for egregious ethical lapses.  There’s nothing “innocent” when it comes to excusing ethical problems.

John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news.  He's editor of OnlineColumnist.com and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.

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