Transition Hits Hiccups, Illegal Nanny Asked to Burp It

Wait, I'm supposed to PAY taxes? And what are all these microphones for?

This may prove to be the most difficult day for PEOTUS Barack Obama’s otherwise seamless transition as two high level appointees are expected to face tough questions from lawmakers today.  Treasury Secretary-Designate Timothy Geithner ran into trouble yesterday when news broke that he had bungled his taxes a few years ago (read: didn’t to pay them) AND employed a nanny who was in the country illegally.  In his defense, Geithner forgot to pay $34,000 to Uncle Sam while at the IMF, which, as an international organization, doesn’t automatically deduct taxes from employees.  As for his nanny, her visa expired after she had been working for the Geithners for several years, and she was employed illegally for only a few months. 

Still, Geithner should be okay.  ”I think this is an honest mistake,” Sen. John Kerry, a member of the Senate Finance Committee,  told NBC’s “Today,” yesterday (two days before tomorrow).

But Attorney General-Designate Eric Holder may face tougher criticism from law makers, especially regarding President Clinton’s pardon of fugitive financier Marc Rich. Also in question is Clinton’s 1999 decision to grant clemency to 16 violent Puerto Rican nationalists; Sen. Arlen Specter has invited the son of a man killed by nationalists in 1975 in an attempt to derail Holders appointment, Politico reports.

First Day of Congress Brings New Faces, Changes of Daipers to the Hill

 

The 111th Congress Gathers Around Mrs. Nancy for Story Time

Ah, it’s that time of the two-years again, when fresh faces from across the country come together to be corrupted by political-industrial-happy-hour-complex known as Washington –the first day of the Congress!  Yes the 111th Congress was sworn in today on Capitol Hill and boy do they seem to get younger every year.  What’s that, guy in my earpiece?  Those aren’t the new congressman?  Oh, I see.  Those are their kids. Hm… Wait, why are you in my ear?  This is web log, we can’t afford that? And why am I still typing, I knew I should have upgraded to a keyboard with a delete key. Schizophrenic you say?  That would explain the drag queens.

Washington Gets Hopefied as Obama Arrives

Change is here!   Savior-Elect Barack Obama arrived in Washington last night after traversing through the 14 Stations of the Cross between here and Chicago. The nation’s capitol already feels decidedly more hopetastical– the drug dealer on my corner says he wants to college! (Well, drug dealer college).  

The President-Elect dropped his sickeningly adorable daughters off for their first day of school before heading up to Capitol Hill to meet with Congressional leaders.  The motorcade route is now mysteriously (and miraculously) lined with daises.