In the latest in a string of poorly vetted candidates in Obama’s beleaguered Administration, Charles Freeman, the candidate for the head of the National Intelligence Council has been forced to withdraw his name from the running. As he had made comments previously about the “oppression” of the Palestinian people at the hands of the Israelis which are not ideologically in line with the current Administration, he faced a losing battle. Add his name to the growing list:

Bill Richardson, nominated for Commerce Department Secretary. He withdrew on January 4 after it emerged that he was the subject of a Grand Jury investigation for influence peddling, due to his awarding of a $1.5 million state contract to political contributors.

Tom Daschle, nominated for Health and Human Services Secretary. He withdrew on February 3, admitting that he had failed to pay more than $100,000 in taxes on a car and driver provided by a friend and on consulting fees after he left the Senate.

Nancy Killefer, former Assistant Secretary for Management and Chief Financial Officer of the Treasury Department during the Clinton administration, nominated for Deputy Director at the Office of Management and Budget and Chief Performance Officer. Obama said in announcing her nomination, “We can no longer afford to sustain the old ways when we know there are new and more efficient ways of getting the job done.” Killefer withdrew on February 3 because of a lien against her home for failure to pay unemployment tax for household help. Ironic that she can afford household help – something most of us Americans can’t – and then doesn’t pay the taxes her party trumpets. Certainly not anyone you want in charge of managing the public’s money.

Hilda Solis, nominated for Labor Secretary, was confirmed on February 11 even though her husband had liens against his business going back 16 years. He paid the full $6,400 owed a day before her confirmation hearing. Wouldn’t that be nice if the average American could pretend to have nothing to do with their spouse’s finances?

Judd Gregg, Obama’s second nomination for Commerce Department secretary. Apparently the only Republican nominated to a high-level position by Obama, he withdrew on February 11 because of philosophical differences with the Obama administration over its advocacy of a massive stimulus plan. Judd had once called for elimination of the Department of Commerce. Judd was one of very few Obama nominees who withdrew due to legitimate reasons.
Timothy Geithner, nominated and confirmed on February 24 for Treasury Secretary. Geithner failed to pay $34,000 in self-employment taxes while he worked at the International Monetary Fund from 2001 to 2004. Yet he was still confirmed because Democrats said his position was too important to be left unfilled any longer.

Kathleen Sebelius was nominated on March 2 as Obama’s second choice for Secretary of Health and Human Services. So far, no back tax problem has emerged, but she does have one of the most extreme partisan positions on abortion of any politician in the country; which may cause trouble with her confirmation.

Susan Tierney, the leading candidate for Deputy Secretary of Energy, dropped out on March 3 without citing a reason. Is she afraid to cite back taxes?

Jane Garvey, reportedly Obama’s top choice for Deputy Secretary of Transportation, also dropped out on March 3, reportedly for financial reasons. Did those reasons include owing back taxes?

Gary Locke. Nominated on March 5, for Secretary of Commerce after Bill Richardson and Judd Gregg withdrew. So far he appears to be sailing through to confirmation, but Frontpage Mag points out he was involved in Chinagate with former Clinton Commerce employee John Huang. Huang wrote a $1,000 check to Locke and co-sponsored fundraising events that netted $30,000 in 1996 alone.

Annette Nazareth, who was to be nominated for Treasury Deputy Secretary, abruptly announced on March 5 she was stepping aside for “personal reasons.”

Caroline Atkinson, nominated for Undersecretary of International Affairs, withdrew on March 5 as well. Did these two prospects withdraw because of failure to pay back taxes? “Personal reasons” sounds like someone wants to spend more time with their family, or something along those lines. If that was the case, why didn’t the candidates indicate so? Because of the long list of nominees who withdrew for tax problems, their withdrawals are forever tainted with a cloud of suspicion.

Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Obama’s first pick for Surgeon General, withdrew on March 5 without citing a reason. What were his secret reasons?

Ron Kirk, nominated for Trade Representative, failed to pay $10,000 in back taxes for speaking fees over three years. He faced Senate questioning on March 9 over it, but is expected to win confirmation. $2,600 of the back taxes was due to deducting $17,382 worth of basketball tickets; he was unable to provide proof of business purposes for those tickets. Most Americans can’t afford $17,382 in baseball tickets, much less have a business to deduct the cost from. Kirk also took overly large deductions for a used TV he gave to charity, and inflated accounting and tax preparation fees. He has agreed to pay $9,975 in back taxes from 2005-2007.

This whole process has become a huge farce. This is just a sign once again that the Obama Administration has lost complete focus over its direction. If this Administration could focus on one thing and do it well, we would be well on our way to a better economy. Rather, they are trying to do too many things and doing them all poorly as a result. This vetting process is an indicator of a bigger problem and the Liberal media has not given Obama any heat over this mockery. I guess His Holiness can do no wrong.

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