February 3, 2009,
10:47 am [h2]
Citing Tax Troubles, an Obama Appointee Withdraws[/h2] By
Jeff Zeleny
Nancy Killefer had been selected by President Obama to fill the newly created position of chief performance officer at the White House. (Joshua Roberts/Bloomberg News)
Updated President Obama's choice for the position of chief White House performance officer has withdrawn from consideration for the post, an administration official said Tuesday, after coming forward with concerns about her tax returns.
Nancy Killefer, appointed by the president last month to a new position to scrutinize government spending, told the administration on Monday that she intended to step down from the position at the Office of Management and Budget. An administration official, speaking on condition of anonymity because the announcement was not finalized, confirmed that Ms. Killefer's withdrawal came because of questions with her taxes. Update: In her resignation letter to Mr. Obama, she described the problem as a tax-related issue stemming from Washington, D.C. unemployment.
The withdrawal, first reported by NBC News, came as the White House was already grappling with controversy over the tax returns of Tom Daschle, the president's choice to lead the Health and Human Services Department. Ms. Killefer's post, as a deputy at O.M.B., required Senate confirmation.
The administration official said the reasons for Ms. Killefer's withdrawal would be released later on Tuesday. In a letter to Mr. Obama, she wrote:
I recognize that your agenda and the duties facing your Chief Performance Officer are urgent. I have also come to realize in the current environment that my personal tax issue of D.C. Unemployment tax could be used to create exactly the kind of distraction and delay those duties must avoid. Because of this I must reluctantly ask you to withdraw my name from consideration.
I am deeply honored to have been selected by you and you have my deep appreciation for your confidence in me. You have my heartfelt support and best wishes for success in all your endeavors.
Ms. Killefer, head of consulting firm McKinsey & Co.'s Washington office, was named to the new position on Jan. 7.
In the announcement, Mr. Obama said she would help "restore the American people's cofidence in their government."
"Meeting the challenges of rebuilding our economy and bringing a new sense of responsibility to Washington isn't just about rearranging numbers on a balance sheet - it's about renewing people's trust in their leadership," Mr. Obama told reporters at his transition headquarters, with Ms. Killefer at his side. "Because in order to restore confidence in our economy, we must restore the American people's confidence in their government - that it's on their side, spending their money wisely, to meet their families' needs. I am confident that with Nancy's leadership, and the efforts of leaders on both sides of the aisle, we will do just that."
Damn President Obama just can't catch a break, partial blame should go to his vetting process but still why are these individuals applying forpositions knowing they have outstanding tax problems. The same individuals who help to write our moronic tax code fail to pay them, imagine all the outstandingrevenue out there on political figures evading their taxes.
This has gotta be embarrassing for the Obama Administration
