Sigh. I guess it's "surprising" that the guy who spent most of his time as Leader caving, went and caved to Republican pressure. But the real question isn't about the morality or qualification (not) paying taxes confers. It's about whether or not the new administration willl ever figure out that there's a real good reason for truly having ideological diversity in the applicant pool. As has already been commented here, it's interesting to wonder if Obama would've had all these problems with appointees, if he'd gone for actual working people, non-Villagers, and real world experts instead of Beltway insiders and left-overs from Dem administrations past. I made the snarky remark to one person that progressives usually pay our taxes, and frequently, we're so poor we can't even afford things like limo drivers and housekeepers, with whom we later get into trouble for non-reporting and payment. Shocking, that.

But I have to say, even I am a little taken aback by the fumbling coming from the administration on these matters. They are really starting to look like amateurs.