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Regrets

Obama: My Bad

Three words from the new president that you never heard from President Bush: “I screwed up.” So said Barack Obama in reference to his handling of Tom Daschle’s appointment in a series of interviews yesterday. “I'm here on television saying I screwed up. And that's part of the era of responsibility, is not never making mistakes, it's owning up to them and trying to make sure you don’t repeat them and that's what we intend to do,” he said on NBC. He told CNN, “Look, ultimately, I campaigned on changing Washington and bottom-up politics. And 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."

Posted at 6:29 AM, Feb 4, 2009
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Comments ()
cyberwriter

Well, at least there is some transparency here. Note to all people applying for gov. jobs: clean your closets!

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7:31 am, Feb 4, 2009
Angellight

The GOP pretend to care so deeply about the stimulus, when it is patently obvious and a derelict of their duty to the public, that the GOP are working furiously for the next elections and not the peoples' economic crisis looming so large at this time. Some Republican Pundits charged with this task, call the Stimulus a stinking corpse, before it is even born, instead of what it is -- a valuable work in progress for this country. Like any creation, in the early stages, it is chaos and not fully formed, such as a fetus, a painting, any work of art, and yet the artist ploughs on knowing the beauty to be eventually created. Why in the world, would some Pundits criticize the early form instead of giving support, is beyond the pale, especially when they know to publically criticize it is to get the ball rolling to derail it. May be they do not love this country more than their party affiliation! These pundits sit in their high-paying jobs, so lofty, and pick apart every little thing someone says or does, Wears...., with nothing good to say, like their word is God or gold -- as they no longer report the news but give their Opinions about the news. There was a time when we were taught as Americans, if you have nothing good to say about anyone, say nothing at all. We have lost that. These Pundits are a part of the problem and not the solution.

At this critical stage in our rapidly-crumbling economy, it would seem that the Republican Senators would do everything they can to do something, to tell the American people, I am on your side, and not always to quickly say no to the middle class and the little people; no to schools, education, infra structure, green jobs, all of which have too long been denied and neglected and Yet, always yes to the Special Interest Groups, to wars, to big oil and their tax breaks.

It is a sad fact that for average American citizens, the GOP is becoming the party of NO! We can not depend on the GOP to help us, they never have. In 2010, we will know what to do.

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8:08 am, Feb 4, 2009
apostleis

And look hw easy it is to say you made a mistake even though it wasn't his. When you do it's over.

Bush said he would bring accountability to the White House and did the opposite. They hated everything about Clinton and because of it allowed 911 to happen. If they had listened to anyone from Clinton they would have avoided 911.

Just say you screwed up and will learn from your mistakes. It isn't rocket science.

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8:29 am, Feb 4, 2009
BernieO

How did Obama screw this up? By all accounts he had no idea about Daschle's tax problems. Daschle and the vetters screwed this up.
Where Obama has screwed up is in failing to explain to the public why we need a stimulus now instead of allowing Republicans to control the debate. Team Obama has had the media at its back until now and McCain eschewed the usual right wing hardball tactics so (as David Gergen said last night on CNN) Obama was taken by surprise at the strength of the opposition.
Democrats have allowed Republicans to control public discourse and media spin since Reagan. (The campaign was an aberration.) Dems sit on the sidelines wringing their hands, worrying they won't be popular with the media instead of explaining the reasoning behind their positions. Either that or they form a circular firing squad. They are a bunch of pathetic wimps.

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8:36 am, Feb 4, 2009
bunki8

Who cares?? Yes, he messed up. Yes he admitted it....this is NOT the #1 story. Job loss? CA gov't about to crash? ANYTHING else? Like a bunch of goldfish with one second memories and no clue how to prioritize...

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9:04 am, Feb 4, 2009
apostleis

He didn't screw up his vetting team didn't research tax problems enough, but Obama took responsibility.

He's learning about how the republicans behave and will adjust. Republicans don't think they ever do anything wrong, they think the problem is always they don't explain it properly to the people.

Obama is learning he and democrats need to be on TV more to counter them.

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9:08 am, Feb 4, 2009
matthewbenzor

Its about time and honest president.Unlike bush who hid behind propaganda tatic"s and his freemason agenda and bunker mentality .On rachael maddow show carl bernstein said there was something secret about bush"s presidency hello freemasonry secret society skull and bones in college does anybody get it yet our great america has been hijacked by these tyrants for decades .The new president is like a breath of fresh air after our heads have under water for the last 8years . someone finally let us up for air .thank God you know what they say honesty is the policy

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9:33 am, Feb 4, 2009
MrCleaveland

You point out that we never heard George Bush say, "I screwed up." Wow, how clever.

You might have also pointed out that we never heard Bill Clinton or Jimmy Carter or Lyndon Johnson say, "I screwed up."

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9:38 am, Feb 4, 2009

This user is no longer registered.

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9:39 am, Feb 4, 2009
Banjo1

How does appointing tax cheats to high office not qualify as a major story? Unless you think The One we was waitin' for shouldn't be criticized -- ever..This is a country, Code Pinkers, not a cult.

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9:54 am, Feb 4, 2009
Martyz42

Let's see, 1st the Treasury, then assistant Defense Secretary, then Daschle, then the 2nd Lobbyist & then the budget woman & then giving Rove the delay & then the worst of all so far, the Bush guy Gregg & Obama said "My Bad" Sorry, My Bad is an under statement. It looks sadly to me that Obama should have a new middle name, Earl Warren would fit him much better. Obama is doing to the progressives what Warren did to the republican party. Next will be more tax cuts demanded by the confederate congress people (His dream people) & then not going after war crimes & so on & so forth & if Obama keeps this up he won't have to worry about being on the dems 2012 ticket, he can go on the republican ticket.

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10:47 am, Feb 4, 2009

This comment has been removed by The Daily Beast's editors.

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10:58 am, Feb 4, 2009
sonofloud

I guess since Schumer already has a position in the government it doesn't matter that he didn't pay all of his taxes either?

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11:00 am, Feb 4, 2009
avkoli

When did we ever hear Bush admit that he's made a mistake? I know I'm beating a dead horse, but let's see Iraq, Afghanistan, Katrina, Abu Graib, Valerie Plame. I'm not expecting President Obama to be perfect and those who think that are ridiculous, but at least we have a leader who sends a message that our opinion of him is relevant and important.

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11:18 am, Feb 4, 2009
rightconservative

Good start Mr. President. Maybe a weekly show with Matt Lauer....."It's time for...."I Screwed Up Obama" and here is our host...."Matt Lauer". Maybe we can get him to be transparent about some of the pre-election issues he hasn't owned up to....hum?

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11:42 am, Feb 4, 2009

This user is no longer registered.

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11:44 am, Feb 4, 2009
mikefromArlington

At least we have a President who adheres to the saying, the buck stops here.

Keep it up Mr. President. Continue to bring integrity back to the White House. Lord knows it's been without it for a while and will take some serious work to change the cynicism so many have with the office of the President of the United States.

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11:51 am, Feb 4, 2009
Blackflon

Obama screwed up??? His people knew in advance about the problem which means he knew as well.

And Daschle wasn't forthcoming until AFTER he was nominated.

Change you can believe in.

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12:30 pm, Feb 4, 2009
Cathy1234

Wow...so this is what accountability sounds like? Eventhough it was not Obama's fault for these nominees lack of transparency. But he has stepped up to the plate and taken the hit for it. Commendable.

We have not heard it in forever so it's all so new and foreign to us all, it seems, given the media coverage of it.

Now if only we can get the Republicans in Congress to either present other stimulus options or get out of the WAY!

Or when the economy heads farther south due to inaction, they can learn to actually say "We screwed up" too.

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12:30 pm, Feb 4, 2009
rlbelow

but, what about your guy now head of the IRS... another tax cheat!

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2:25 pm, Feb 4, 2009
TK798999

The President of the United States should NOT use the word "screwed". It's gutter talk, not classy and most certainly NOT Presidential. President Obama must rise to the office he now holds.

Geithner should NOT be part of this administration. His tax crimes are worse than Daschle. Jail them. Now, that would send a message.

Why don't these people and many others in D.C. pay their taxes?

The Daily Beast should publish an ongoing list of ALL who fail to pay their taxes. Now, that would increase your revenues.

Obama is not off to a good start. This is not the "change" the country has been "hoping" for.

Obama should also appoint MORE women to his cabinet. Women are 52% of the U.S. population and it's not reflected in the Obama administration or Congress. It's long past time to change that.

Iraq has now constitutionally mandated that 25% of their elected officials be female. Now, that's CHANGE. A very good one. Iraq is now more progressive than the United States.

Who would have imagined this?

Women, it's time to speak up and demand parity. The Lilly Ledbetter Act is more symbolic than anything. The real meaty bill for Fair Pay Act is languishing in the U.S. Senate. Let's make certain it does NOT die there.

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2:27 pm, Feb 4, 2009

This user is no longer registered.

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3:29 pm, Feb 4, 2009
greengirl

I respect him more today than yesterday. Yea, he shouda said 'messed up'. Still no other pres ever had the balls to say it. Oops, gonads.

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5:50 pm, Feb 4, 2009
india1

Everyone knows. To err is human. But to admit the error without any fuss especially in the age of arrogance and hipocracy is more human. Setting examples of honest , ethical, character and conduct the man at the top will soon be able to create and establish a trend that, in course of time will not only ensure 'unprecedented transprancy' but also will achieve functional superiority, when it comes to governance.
And that is higher productivity and faster progress. And today's America needs it the most.

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12:15 am, Feb 5, 2009
koyaanisqatsi

TK798999, get a life. We all understand what Obama meant when he said he "screwed up". It's how people often express themselves these days. Kids hear that from their parents from birth. True, Obama took responsibility for something he shouldn't have had to, but at least he's accepting some responsibility. His vetting team and Daschle screwed up (yeah..."screwed up"), big time. And I don't want Geithner in as Treasury Sec., but _both_ Democrats and Republicans wanted him...a sad but true measure of how far we have to go in cleaning up Washington. I would want Daschle and Geithner paying the same penalties that Koyaanisqatsi Average would have to pay, even if it means prison time. Instead, Daschle will end up at his old job making a 7 figure annual income and Geithner ends up as Treasury Sec.

Let's not forget what the last administration, gone only 3 short weeks, was like. Obama is still a breath of fresh air compared to Bush/Cheney. Now, it's time to turn up the pressure on those still in office. Every single Senator, House member, and Cabinet Sec. should be investigated, top to bottom. Throw the remaining bums out. And let's get after the Wall St. execs. For a while at least, the investigators be to busy to bother the average person, who is probably pretty dirty as well. Imagine...they booted Eliot Spitzer out for a sexual "indiscretion". Fail to pay your taxes? No problem!

Now we have a stimulus package to get through. I don't know if it's the right thing to do, but most economists and financial experts say we must spend our way out of this recession. The main obstacles is that the Bush administration deficits have left us with no money and what's left of the GOP is intent on putting themselves above the well-being of MY country (no surprise there). Need to trim the GOP back a bit in 2010 and 2012...they just aren't needed anymore

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12:23 am, Feb 5, 2009
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