Posts Tagged ‘Tom Daschle’

Politician in admitting mistake shocker

Wednesday, February 4th, 2009 by Jon Clements

His hiring skills may be in question today, but President Barack Obama has passed the most fundamental of PR tests with flying colours.

However, I’d like to warn readers that the following paragraph contains graphic language which may shock and cause people to wonder whether the President is, in fact, a politician at all.

Mr Obama - and I reiterate, a person elected to public office - said: “It was a mistake; I screwed up.”

If you are still there, without the aid of smelling salts, well done. And well done to Obama for understanding that if you have messed up - in this instance with the hiring of Tom Daschle as part of his cabinet - then say it as honestly, clearly and quickly as possible. While your credit rating is high, take the opportunity to show your failings, along with your resolve to put it right. Not only will they forgive you, but it puts you way ahead of the usual slipperiness of tongue that distinguishes elected officials the world over.

Yet again, Obama provides a masterclass. Let’s just hope he gets his HR sharpened up, and spots those references to “tax problems” buried at the bottom of the CV.