A top Democrat on Thursday said that as long as the unfolding Internal Revenue Service scandal doesn’t implicate President Obama, there’s no reason for the administration to panic.
“As long as it doesn’t get to the White House, it’s not going to be a problem,” said Howard Dean, former Vermont governor, presidential candidate and chairman of the Democratic National Committee, during an appearance on MNSBC’s “Morning Joe” program.
Mr. Obama on Wednesday pushed out acting IRS Commissioner Steven Miller, making him the first person to lose his job over revelations the IRS intentionally targeted conservative groups for more scrutiny. Mr. Miller’s ouster could help the president stop the bleeding and blunt criticism that he’s seemed disconnected from the IRS ordeal and other controversies swirling around his administration.
Republicans are gearing up to hold multiple hearings over IRS actions, but those hearings, Mr. Dean said, will mean little to the American people.
“They can have as many hearings as they want. Credibility of Congress is close to zero. I think most people view this as hot air,” he said.
• Ben Wolfgang can be reached at bwolfgang@washingtontimes.com.
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