"We've Only Just Begun" to Deal with Scandals

The Obama transition team has been hit by a number of scandals in its two-month existence. For the most part, they have fumbled on the ball. Given Obama's Chicago and Illinois political roots, scandals will become presidential business-as-usual for the next four years.

The post-election scandals began with the shocking-to-all-who-do-not-live-in-Illinois behavior of Governor Rod Blagojevich. His attempt to essentially sell Obama's senate seat is classic Illinois politics. Blagojevich, most likely, sincerely believes he did nothing wrong. He seems confused that people in other parts of the country are outraged at his alleged actions. After all, in Illinois, you cannot become a dog catcher or trash collector without paybacks of some kind.

Because so many of Obama's most trusted advisors on his transition team come from the Illinois and Chicago political swamps, it is not surprising that they have run into problems with some of their appointments. They simply do not understand the ethical standards that most Americans expect of their politicians.

Thus, they allowed Obama to appoint New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson as Commerce Secretary despite an alleged pay-to-play scandal with state contracts. Timothy Geithner has been nominated as Treasury Secretary. Geithner failed to pay self-employment taxes from 2001-2004. The Obama team is trying to pass this off as a "mistake." However, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)audited him for 2003-2004. Geithner paid $16,732 in taxes and penalties, as a result. However, he failed to amend his 2001-2002 tax returns and pay the $25,970 owed until he was nominated. Given the earlier audit, it is hard to understand how this was not a deliberate omission, not a mistake.

While the team quickly accepted the withdrawal of Richardson's nomination, they are defending Geithner. They do not seem to understand that Americans are not happy to see a Treasury Secretary who will be responsible for the IRS not paying his taxes in a timely fashion.

The problem with Illinois and Chicago politics is there is a double standard. Politicians and citizens have two different, often diametrically opposite, standards of behavior. Politicians there routinely enjoy special privileges not granted to ordinary citizens. Politicians there are given a pass and often do not have to abide by the laws other citizens must.

During the campaign, I tried to warn that it would not be good to have the Chicago machine, financed by the Mafia, running the country. Unfortunately, the American people did not listen to those of us who cautioned them. So, for the next four years, get use to scandal after scandal. For these Illini who are about to enter the White House, it will be business-as-usual.

Goodbye, President Ford

I watched the funeral for President Gerald R. Ford, this morning. It was moving and fitting for the former President. The dignity and ceremony of these national rituals, I believe, are helpful and healing to us as a nation. They remind me of what is important in life: family, relationships, faith in God. As a political activist, it is easy to forget these values in the heat of partisan advocacy.

President Ford was a good example of political civility. President Ford was a loyal Republican. As a leader in the House and as President of the Senate, he "loved a good fight." At the end of the day, though, he could slap Democratic Speaker Tip O'Neill on the back and join him in a drink. President Ford understood that good men (and women) could disagree without being disagreeable. He realized bad ideas could come from good people.

Presidential funerals also give us review lessons in history. I remember being very upset, like most Americans, when President Ford pardoned President Nixon. At the time, I could not understand taking that action before a trial and conviction. Looking back, I can see President Ford's wisdom in quickly ending the "national nightmare" of Watergate. President Nixon resigned in disgrace, a punishment probably worse than prison to that prideful man. It reminds me to be cautious in being too quick to judge the presidencies of Carter and Clinton, whom I did not like, or today's President Bush, whom I do. Good historical analysis requires the perspective that only comes with the passage of time.

Watching the coverage of these funerals also supplies some good trivia, too. I don't think I ever knew that President Ford's middle name was "Rudolph." I didn't know that the casket stand used in the Capitol was originally built for President Abraham Lincoln's coffin. The fabric has been replaced but is draped exactly as it was when Lincoln laid in state. I had forgotten that President Ford had two assassination attempts. I remembered the one by Streaky Fromm, probably because a woman was the perpetrator which made it unusual. Does anyone remember who made the other attempt?