Tom Daschle, before he could sneak through the confirmation process without anyone noticing his tax “problem” tried to explain that the free use of a car and driver were an honest mistake. It didn’t work and he withdrew with $140,000, give or take, in tax liabilities.
Now we learn that Rahm Emmanuel has lived rent free in the home of Congresswoman Rosa De Lauro and her husband, Democratic pollster Stan Greenburg. The value of such rent is estimated at over $100,000. At the same time, Emanuel, as the chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee gave polling contracts of over $500,000 to Greenberg. Granted, Greenberg had had similar contracts before, but they are usually re-bid each election cycle.
Where Does Emanuel Come Out
So how does this play out? Will Emanuel end up like “Turbo Tax” Geithner or Daschle? Is he safe on home base, because he’s already working in the administration, or will he have to face the reality of Daschle that actions have consequences? It will be interesting to see how Obama explains this one away. Will he tell us again about the openness and honesty of his administration or will he have to start explaining his glaring inexperience?
