Kathleen Sebelius Does NOT Have 'Tax Problems'

Ah, the media creates reality again.

With this headline, courtesy of the Miami Herald: Add Sebelius to list of Obama Cabinet picks with tax troubles.

No, she doesn't. Once you actually read the article, you see she doesn't. But, I still rolled my eyes again when I saw the headline (abbreviated, "More tax problems: Now Sebelius," over at RCP,) and thought to myself, Really? Can't they get one thing right, please? I felt simultaneously mad and defensive toward Sebelius and disgusted at the Obama vetting operation. So, in other words, just the kind of emotional reaction media companies love.

Then I read the article. Which clearly points out that 1) as soon as Sebelius was nominated for HHS Secretary she hired an accountant to scrub her back taxes, 2) the filed amended returns for the years with errors (which were minor) and 3) she included those amended returns in her disclosure packet to the Senate Finance Committee. in other words: Kathleen Sebelius does not have any tax problems, she was cognizant of the fact that she better make sure before the started the nomination process, and she voluntarily resolved what issues were found, and openly presented them.

The buzz around the Senate is very positive for Sebelius. Hopefully very soon she will be in the post as HHS Secretary and we can get a move on Health Care overhaul.

Invented Controversy Over Rahm Emanuel's Housing

I defend Rahm Emanuel. Mark this on the calendar.

Apparently there is some kind of invented scandal over Rahm Emanuel's living situation. It is being said that because Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) allows Rahm to live with her for free, his housing is "illegal" and he is thus "ineligible" for Chief of Staff under Obama's new ethics rules. This was a source of enough concern that a private investigator looked into it. J.G. Thayer has a blustery blog in Commentary magazine today claiming, "To most people, this is 'imputed income' — non-financial gifts or compensation that should be reported to the IRS. Funny, last time I lived with a friend for free, that's just what I said too, "Hey, would you mind giving me some imputed income?" Are you kidding me??? This has got to be close to the bottom of the barrel in terms of scandal-reporting. So because someone doesn't pay for their housing, it's illegal? Now you have to owe someone money every month to be a resident? Give me a break. Someone in D.C. finds affordable housing and it's a national scandal.

Media Creates Reality Unapologetically

If there was any doubt about the media preferring Obama over Clinton, here's the proof:

They're already declaring Obama the winner of North Carolina, when as of the time of this writing, 0% of precincts are reporting. But, they are calling Indiana "too early to call" when Clinton is winning 57%-43% -- by 14 points -- with 29% reporting.

WTF?

First of all, both are still to early to call. But are you freakin kidding me? They are calling Obama the winner based on 0% of results, but Indiana is too early to call when there are actual results supporting her win???

I really am moving to Canada.