Obama suffers worst day in White House as nominees withdraw over tax
AN embarrassed President Barack Obama admitted he had "screwed up" after his political soulmate and choice to lead health reform Tom Daschle withdrew in a storm over personal tax issues.
On Mr Obama's worst day in the White House so far, he also lost another nominee _ Nancy Killefer, who he had named as government budget watchdog, and termed one of his most “important” appointments _ also over tax issues.
“I don't want to send a message to the American people that there are two sets of standards, one for powerful people, and one for ordinary folks who are working every day and paying their taxes,” Mr Obama said in an interview with CNN.
“With the stakes this high, we cannot afford to get trapped in the same old partisan gridlock.”
“The House bill is an embarrassment, the Senate bill on the floor is not markedly better, our goal will be to pare it down and to target it right at the problem.”
clipped from: www.theaustralian.news.com.au