Strike Four.

So President Obama lost another of his nominees, the fourth one in a couple of months.

"President Barack Obama's choice to lead the Commerce Department, Senator Judd Gregg of New Hampshire, has withdrawn his nomination. The Republican lawmaker cites differences with the Democratic president over policy issues, including an economic recovery package nearing final approval in Congress. Senator Judd Gregg's announcement that he was withdrawing as President Barack Obama's nominee to be commerce secretary shocked much of Washington Thursday."

Getting elected it seems was easier than governing.

Glitch Pickings.

By Mr Smith's reckoning that is no fewer than three senior cabinet appointments which President Obama has not been able to get through on the basis that his appointees has dodgy tax records and have been forced to withdraw.

"US President Barack Obama has said "I screwed up" over his handling of a controversy that led two politicians to decline posts in his administration. Tom Daschle was to become the new secretary of health, and Nancy Killefer was Mr Obama's choice to oversee budget and spending reform. They both withdrew when questions were raised about their tax affairs."

Why is it so many US politicians seem to have problems paying their taxes on time?