Working for Obama- I have a few skeletons in my closet - does that mean I can't work for him?

[Anonymous]

Just be honest and be ready to explain. I managed to keep my mid-clearance job in the Clinton admin. and I had all kinds of fun stuff in my past -- but notably, not tax evasion issues.

I won't lie though, I had -lots- of conversations with the FBI guys who kept dropping in my office to follow-up, especially on the student loan fiasco I experienced.

[Anonymous]

I feel like a lot of skeletons were tolerated during the Clinton administration. Thing is, if we're going to be let idealism set the tone for this administration, the bar should be higher, at least as far as appointees at all levels demonstrating patterns of personal responsibility. Let's put the honor back into public service.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think you should apply, OP. There are hundreds of appointees to any new administration, and only a few of them receive the media scrutiny of Geithner or Daschle. These are very high profile jobs requiring confirmation. They'd have trouble hiring anyone in the Federal government if an illegal nanny or unpaid taxes on a housekeeper (not to mention yard workers) somewhere in their past eliminated them from consideration. As long as you've paid your taxes, not cheated on them, I think you'll be OK. The media will have no interest in you unless you are applying for a very high level position.

Well, many lower level appointments require security clearances - depends on the position. So even though the media might not care about tax problems, the FBI will - IF there's ANY sort of security clearance involved. If OP has any friends, ex-bosses/co-workers, or neighbors who have any dirt on her, it will probably come out.

[Anonymous]

Do you want to work for Mr O?
I generally oppose all forms of idol worship.
If a fault finding mission finds something in your past and you are deemed unemployable, even though your past employers have been happy with you?
Are we not allowed to be human?

[Anonymous]

I don't see how most credit issues or tax issues are a "whoops"... it sounds like, for OP, she took some big risks with that business and is making excuses for having wagered too much. "But that start-up was expensiiiiive!" "I reaaaally waaaanted a cleaning lady, but paying taxes coooosts sooo much!" "I wanted to start my own business, but didn't consider that that left me without adequate health coverage!"

Judgment / honesty issues. Not to mention that anyone who wants to support a Democratic administration really ought to support paying taxes as a civic virtue, not a less-than-necessary expense that can be cut down here or there as long as you don't get caught.

And it shouldn't be working for Mr. O. It should be working for all of us.

So no, I think allowances for "being human" should be limited to smaller mistakes that don't reflect on honesty or reliability.