Gergen, You Magnificent Bastard, I Read Your Quote About Tom Daschle's Integrity.

"One cannot underestimate how widely admired Tom Daschle is in Washington for his integrity."—David Gergen, adviser to too many presidents and all-around political gadfly.

Comments

[xx]

Tom Daschle is two toes away from down syndrome.

[The Extispicator]

It is hard to underestimate zero.

Maybe it's one of those backhanded compliments.

[John]

"One cannot underestimate how widely admired Tom Daschle is in Washington for his integrity"

How is Gergen not telling the truth here? I have not doubt Daschle was admired for his integrity. Do you people actually think other Senators consider not paying your taxes to be any kind of a sin when committed by an elite?

Gillespie misses the point. That quote says nothing about Gergen or Daschle and everything about Washington.

[Tyler]

Haha I bet he really was a role model for the rest of Washington.

[Gabe]

They truly imagine themselves as super smart geniuse, who the public should worship for their willingness to help us run our miserable lives.

Given this, they think that any personal benefits they can get out of helping make this wonderful country are more than 100% deserved.

Anyone involved in public service is one step closer to saint liek status compared to us lowly mouth breathing, carbon footprint creating, future liabilities of the american government. Any one of us who dies a quick premature death is merely decreasing the carbon footprint while also helping the country cut entitlement liabilities.

[Pro Libertate]

Was that in English? I could swear that he said something that sounded like English, but it made no sense the way I heard it. Maybe it was Dutch or Frisian.

[joe]

Wait a second:

"One cannot underestimate" means that it is impossible to estimate too low.

In other words, no matter how low you estimate admiration for Daschle's integrity to be, you cannot be wrong.

He says nothing about overestimating, though.

[Alan Vanneman]

I guess no one's talked to Tom's first wife, you know, the one who gave him three kids and then watched him waltz off with Miss Kansas, aka Miss Access.

I find it amazing that anyone can let a business buddy "give" him a limo and driver for three years and think he's got a future in politics. But I guess when you're making $2 mil a year you don't have time to think.

[Warren]

Was that in English? I could swear that he said something that sounded like English, but it made no sense the way I heard it.

It doesn't have to make sense. Gergen is just towing the lion for the establishment.

[Citizen Nothing]

I like joe's parsing of Gergen.

[TofuSushi]

I hear that Daschle is a big tofu fan.

[Citizen Nothing]

And I love "towing the lion," you morans!
(But I could see how it might get old, quick.)

[Episiarch]

CN, running gags get old fast, so you might as well use them constantly while they're still hot. Otherwise you might be full retard.

Another vote for joe's interpretation.

[dfd]

Re: "One cannot underestimate"

In other words, no matter how low you estimate admiration for Daschle's integrity to be, you cannot be wrong.

No, more like no matter how low you estimate admiration for Daschle's integrity to be, it is lower still. You are always wrong. In other words, you're always overestimating admiration for his integrity (unless somehow you manage to get it just exactly right).

[Tom Daschle]

I am not a crook!

[Reinmoose]

"You cannot underestimate how little chin David Gergen has"

[Warren]

Citizen Nothing | February 4, 2009, 2:53pm | #
And I love "towing the lion," you morans!
(But I could see how it might get old, quick.)

How is one to conduct a guerrilla campaign against such naysayers? It's not going to "get old". It's going to enter the lexicon and become accepted usage.

[Pro Libertate]

I think he was toeing the lying, to be more accurate.

[John]

Literally speaking Joe is right. Gergen's words mean the opposite of what Gillespie thinks they do. That said, I doubt that is what Gergen meant. I think after you have been a talking head for so long, you can no longer speak in clear sentences. You become like Lord in the Foundation Novels that comes to the Foundation and talks for two days and after he was done said absolutely nothing of meaning. That is Gergen.

[Citizen Nothing]

Actually, looking at the post, I now think Gillespie knew EXACTLY what Gergen's words mean.
He's got a goddamn doctorate in literature, after all.

[John]

"He's got a goddamn doctorate in literature, after all."

You would have to have a doctorate in bullshit to understand anything Gergen says.

[Citizen Nothing]

"You would have to have a doctorate in bullshit to understand anything Gergen says."
Apparently, even if you're Gergen.

[dfd]

Gergen's words mean the opposite of what Gillespie thinks they do.

I'm pretty sure Gillespie knew what they meant literally, and what Gergen meant them to say were opposites. In fact, the perhaps Freudian nature of the comment is what makes it post-worthy, otherwise what's the point? Also, the link Gillespie supplies spells it out pretty clearly as well as pointing out how it's somewhat backhanded to (attempt to) compliment others opinion of your integrity rather than your integrity itself.

[Mike Farmer]

Gergen is a bonafide toad.

[Pro Libertate]

Lord Dorwin. And that analysis should be performed on all political statements.

[Vail Beach]

Isn't Gergen pretty much the opposite of a gadfly?

A gadfly is an annoyance to elected officials. Gergen is more like a masseuse. Everyone in Washington has integrity, per Gergen, unless they are indicted.

[agorabum]

Patton? (source of headline)

[joe]

Interesting observation, Vail Beach.

Sort of like Kissinger these days.

[Isaac Bartram]

Actually the misuse of "underestimated" is pointed out in the linked blogpost. But joe still deserves an attaboy for recognizing it independently. I know I didn't see it.

No, I was like PL. I saw some words on my screen. Individually the were recognizable as words in the english language, together the conveyed no real meaning.

But then perhaps my problem was that I somehow expected them to make sense.

[Funny]

Gergen being ambushed by Alex Jones (almost punches him).

[Neu Mejican]

Regarding the joe parse:

"One cannot underestimate how widely admired Tom Daschle is in Washington for his integrity."

In context, the correct summary of this statement is

"If you want to know how good Daschle's chances of being confirmed were prior to his pulling out of the nomination, you will be inaccurate in your prediction if you underestimate how admired Tom Dachle is in Washington..."

There is a reason people complain about quotes being pulled out of context.

[Heroes]

The left has Che, Mao and Marx.

The right has Franco, Friedman, and Von Mises.

The center has Gergen.

You suck center, you suck.

[quote]

Definitely from "Patton"

"Rommel, you magnificent bastard! I read your book!"

[Pro Libertate]

What a great movie! Coppola (the writer, not the director, I hasten to add) at his best.

[Pro Libertate]

To clarify for those who don't know, Francis Ford Coppola wrote the screenplay for Patton. I didn't mean there were two different Coppolas. There's only one, even if his movie-making mojo is gone. Well, and there's Nick Cage.

[Pat in Colorado]

Well, actually there are two different Coppolas, there's also Sophia.

[William]

I wonder if Daschle "was concerned" about not paying his taxes?

[DC Sucks]

I can't imagine a more perfect combination -- Tommy "Titmouse" Daschle and David "Gummyworm" Gergen -- two perfect Washington creatures, two perfect a--h---s

[Spartee]

No, Nick, Sophia is no Coppola. She is nobody.

[joe]

Sarah Palin's tax returns indicate that she did not include the $43,900 received for travel by her husband and kids. Palin claims to have donated $8,000 worth of clothing the last two years to charity. Palin's husband claims his hobby, you know the snowmobiles, is a business which lost $10,000 last year. Palin charged the tax payers for living in her own house,(Palin owns six homes), and didn't report it.

It does not appear that Gov. Palin reported as income the per diem reimbursement she received for travel, meals, and lodging expenses as governor of Alaska. Her 2007 W-2 reports $107,987 of income as governor, and the Washington Post pegs her governor's salary as $125,000.

In layman's terms that means that Palin was charging Alaskan tax payers for staying at home and calling it travel, then she didn't report it. This is illegal. There is no question that these per diems are taxable income.

[trashhauler]

I wonder how David "Every Democrat's Tame Republican" Gergen would even recognize integrity if he ever someone with it.

[homer]

Jeopardy answer: Sofia Coppola
Jeopardy question: Who in Godfather III proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that nepotism is it's own punishment?

[Steve]

Senator Kent Conrad (aka, friend of Angelo of Countrywide Mortgage fame), a North Dakota Democrat and a close friend of Daschle, said "I don't know anyone more honorable, more decent, more honest and more qualified for this position," said Conrad, a former state tax commissioner in North Dakota.

The sad part is that it's probably true.

[matt]

you mean David (This Gun's for Hire) Gergen? One of the fundamental issues in Washington is that they are so out of touch they don't even realize they've entered the world of farce....

[gg]

one of the sleeziest and most phony operators in politics/'Media'

[HellAsMad]

Sarah Palin's tax returns indicate that she did not include the $43,900 received for travel by her husband and kids. Palin claims to have donated $8,000 worth of clothing the last two years to charity. Palin's husband claims his hobby, you know the snowmobiles, is a business which lost $10,000 last year. Palin charged the tax payers for living in her own house,(Palin owns six homes), and didn't report it.

A great public service you are doing alerting us to the fact Obama is trying to sneak Palin into his cabinet. We will scale the Bastille and rip up the tennis courts and behead the autocracy to prevent the abominable Palin from signing on. It wont go down, I tell you, it wont.

[Choey]

Per diem payments that are reimbursements for business expenses are not taxable and do not have to be reported unless they exceed actual expenses which they never actually seem to do.

[Dave]

Poster above speaking about Gov. Palin: "There is no question that these per diems are taxable income."

Unless of course you know anything about the tax code and how tax laws have been interpreted for the last 80 years or so - then that statement is not only questionable, but actually complete rubbish.

Not sure why I bothered to post the obvious. For some people, if they can think it up, it must be true.

[Pierre D]

No, Nick, Sophia is no Coppola. She is nobody.

What is there not to love about the beautiful Ms. Sophia? Here, she is a bit of a cult icon. A Goddess really.

[HellasMad]

Not sure why I bothered to post the obvious. For some people, if they can think it up, it must be true.

Dave, meet joe. If you haven't met him yet, your guess here is spot on.

[not alaskan]

joe (7:16) said "In layman's terms that means that Palin was charging Alaskan tax payers for staying at home and calling it travel, then she didn't report it. This is illegal. There is no question that these per diems are taxable income."

Actually this isn't nearly as clear cut. While I don't have direct knowledge of the plan in question, I'd suggest getting an understanding of IRC Sec. 62 and Treasury Regulation 1.62-2 before running your mouth and speaking in absolutes.

Amongst other things, I'd point out that it's the employer's responsibility to include the per diem in the W-2 if applicable under the law. And please spare us the conspiracy theory where Palin calls the hapless payroll clerk and demands that he/she deliberately underreport income on her W-2.

Thanks for playing.

[Dave the Engineer]

Gabe said:
"They truly imagine themselves as super smart geniuse, who the public should worship for their willingness to help us run our miserable lives.

Given this, they think that any personal benefits they can get out of helping make this wonderful country are more than 100% deserved."

This is exactly how the Russian Communist Party members saw themselves. And we saw how well that worked out.

[BlogDog]

I can't understand how the goggle-eyed melonhead ever got to such an exalted position in Washington. A mediocre mind at the very best.
This from one who knew him at USNews and briefly as a neighbor.

[DonDarwin]

Gergen is a sad example of what an honest, admirable person can become after years of playing the feckless toady for people who do not love America. He was brainwashed by the illusion that closeness to power is closeness to the national good and lived in the mistaken hope that the crumbling walls around him could be restored by his service. He is a Greek tragedy in a single lifetime and he will be buried without honor or the hope of honorable memory.

[lee v. giorgi]

It's pretty obvious that the people who are the permanent washington establishment are hopelessly corrupt. Why are they not paying taxes? Why are those of us who pay taxes supposed to continue to pay for the Gov. when so many do not contribute even those who are in positions to raise taxes.

[Ramos]

None of us can "misunderestimate" the ethics and morals of this life long pork feeder.

The numbers of those that also fail our tax law includes most members of the
Washington establishment.

[L2]

How about passing a law that no member of the Executive, Legislative, or Judicial Branch may derive economic value from having served in an elective or appointed position? Call it the Harry Truman Standard; no personal exploitation of the position held in service to the people.

[Letalis Maximus, Esq.]

Screw you, David Gergen. You're part of the problem.

[Jim]

RE: the abominable Mr. Gergen... I think the best label for him is "bow-tied bum-kisser", a la Howie Carr. This gutter crawling ass-kisser is simply a power whore who would praise Idi Amin if asked. And, hey, isn't that the Pillsbury Doughboy's head he's using?

[Denny, Alaska]

Joe: "...Palin was charging Alaskan tax payers." Uh, wrong, Joe ol' buddy. We don't pay state taxes in Alaska.

[LogicalSC]

Joe, you are an ignorant twit and stop getting your tax advice from the unemployed boobs at DU, Daily Kos and MSNBC.

Governor Palin has nothing to do with the FACT that Bambi can't find a cabinet member who isn't tax-cheating fraud.

Put down the bong and try to stay on topic.

[Tahoe G]

Whoa Dude:

You mean this might not be a prinicpled and highly nuanced stance against the injustice of a progressive versus a flat tax? I'm like, totally bummed.

[Ginny]

"You can't underestimate" is an old joke line that was a favorite in the "Kinky Friedman and the Texas Jewboys" days. I assume he didn't make it up, but he expected drunks at Texas honky tonks to get it. (They did.) Does Gergen assume we'll get the joke or doesn't he get it or. . .

[JoeS]

Gergen has always been a "Pick Me, Pick Me" beggar for media attention. Another Monica from the Clinton White House.

[Schoolyard Bully]

Gug-gen is we-tah-ded. Gug-gen is we-tah-ded. Gug-gen is we-tah-ded. Gug-gen is we-tah-ded. Throw this boy under the short bus.

[David Govett]

Gergen on anything: Believe the opposite.

[Thomas Jackson]

Gergen gives lying whores a bad name.

[joe]

Uh, wrong, Joe ol' buddy. We don't pay state taxes in Alaska. I suppose the state budget is paid in snow, then.

Remind me again, where does the phrase "income tax" appear in my comment? Oh. Right. It doesn't.

Not Alaskan, Dave,

You miss the point - it's not that per diems are, in the whole, taxable income, but that "per diems" for lodging and travel and meals that were paid when she stayed at her own house are not actual reimbursements for lodging and travel and meals. They're just income. Read the comment again, fellas: "There's no question that THESE per diems are taxable income."