One doesn't justify the other.  Both Geithner and Daschle's cases are way out of bounds.  These weren't simple mistakes given the amounts of money involved (and in Geithner's case, IMF tax preparation assistance).  Those guys have no excuse.

That said . . . I'm not sure it should necessarily reflect on Obama.  There's no way that his team could fully audit every aspect of these guys' lives prior to nomination.  It's a given these days that  a couple of cabinet nominees will be found to have skeletons in the closet (both parties).  So be it.  I don't think Geithner should have been confirmed.  And he still didn't pay his full tax bill, apparently due to statute of limitations.