Obama: I screwed up (MSNBC, He sure did, more than once)

MSNBC

Obama said he was "angry and disappointed" to lose Daschle and Nancy Killefer, who also withdrew her nomination today over a failure to pay some taxes. And the president also took part of the blame. "I appointed these folks. I think they are outstanding people.

MSNBC

NBC News has learned that the president's choice for "chief performance officer" -- technically a deputy OMB director post -- could end up having to withdraw over a number of issues, including tax problems. The withdrawal of Nancy Killefer could happen as soon as today. So far the White House has no comment on the situation.

MSNBC

Holder's role in reducing sentences for members of the FALN, a Puerto Rican nationalist group that was responsible for bombings, kidnappings and other events that resulted in six deaths and numerous injuries from 1974 to 1983.

MSNBC

WASHINGTON - Revelations that Timothy Geithner failed to pay some of his taxes have derailed Democrats' efforts to install him quickly as President-elect Barack Obama's treasury secretary, but senators in both parties say his tax problems won't torpedo his chances for confirmation.

MSNBC

The Obama administration has given an ethics waiver for Bill Lynn, a Defense Department nominee who is a former lobbyist.

In a written statement released moments ago, Armed Service Committee Chairman Carl Levin said the administration "has removed an obstacle to the confirmation of Bill Lynn to be Deputy Secretary of Defense by waiving the provisions of President Obama's Executive Order on Ethics Commitments that would have precluded Mr. Lynn's service."

MSNBC

WASHINGTON - The Cabinet that President-elect Barack Obama picked on a fast track has an unexpected opening, with New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, Obama's choice for commerce secretary, withdrawing under pressure of a federal investigation into how his political donors landed a lucrative transportation contract.

MSNBC

At a fundraiser in Denver today, Palin attacked Obama in some of her harshest comments since being selected as McCain's running mate -- bringing up Obama's tenuous ties to '60s radical William Ayers.

Palin's comments came as the McCain campaign finds itself trailing in national and key battleground state polls, and after major newspapers reported that the McCain camp plans a major offensive on Obama's character and past associations.

"This is not a man who sees America as you see it and as I see America," Palin said today. "We see America as the greatest force for good in this world. If we can be that beacon of light and hope for others who seek freedom and democracy and can live in a country that would allow intolerance in the equal rights that again our military men and women fight for and die for, for all of us."

She then continued, "Our opponent though is someone who sees America, it seems, as being so imperfect that he's palling around with terrorists who would target their own country."

MSNBC

OLBERMANN: There's an awful lot of strong material that is now on videotape. We have played it. I see no reason to play it again, but a phrase that suggests that "God damn America" is a better phrase to use than "God bless America." Can you characterize your own reactions to this? Did you know that he made these statements before the videotape appeared?

OBAMA: You know, frankly, I didn't. I wasn't in church during the time when the statements were made. Now, I think it's, Keith, important to point out that he's been preaching for 30 years. He is a man who was a former Marine who served this country, a biblical scholar, somebody who's spoken at theological schools all across the country, and is widely regarded as a preacher. That's the man I know. That's the person who was the pastor of this church.

I did not hear such incendiary language myself, personally, either in conversations with him or when I was in the pew. He always preached the social gospel and was sometimes controversial in the same way that many people who'd speak out on social issues are controversial.

But these particular statements that had been gathered are ones that I strongly objected to and strongly condemned. Had I heard them in church, I would have expressed that concern directly to Reverend Wright. So, I didn't familiar with these until recently.

Indeed, he has screwed up.