For Daschle, Round One

Posted: Thursday, January 08, 2009 12:08 PM by Carrie Dann

From NBC's Carrie Dann

A quick note about Opening Day of confirmation hearings on Capitol Hill:

Tom Daschle, Barack Obama's nominee for Health and Human Services Secretary, appeared this morning before the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee for a confirmation hearing. But the HELP Committee is not actually the one that has the authority to recommend Daschle's confirmation. The authority to recommend him to the Senate actually lies with the Senate Finance Committee, but this morning's hearing is considered a "courtesy" because the HHS Secretary deals heavily with health care issues. The Finance Committee -- which has jurisdiction over the massive spending associated with Medicare, SCHIP, etc -- has not yet scheduled its confirmation proceedings for Daschle.

Daschle, an 18-year Senate veteran who enjoys the respect of former colleagues of both parties, is widely expected to be confirmed without much of a fight.

Today's HHS hearing takes on a special significance not only for the former Democratic majority leader, who was greeted warmly by longtime friends and introduced glowingly by his old Republican rival fmr. Sen. Bob Dole. Ted Kennedy, who has made few public appearances since he was diagnosed with a brain tumor last year, presides as the chairman of the committee that oversees his most cherished cause -- health care reform. Each of his colleagues welcomed him back to the Senate before they began their questioning.

"Mr. Chairman, welcome home," said Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC). "Because I think this is home for you."

The renowned lawmaker appeared to be in good spirits as he gaveled the hearing to order, and he delivered a handful of characteristically well-timed remarks that earned him chuckles from the room.

When Daschle, who has been known to elicit fashion commentary himself for his unique red-rimmed glasses, delivered an impassioned response to advocate for nutrition and wellness, the South Dakotan ventured into the requirements of straight-up hipness. "Wellness has to be cool," he said, "And prevention has to be a hot thing,"

An impressed Kennedy responded with a grin, "Wow. Keep giving that speech."

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Comments

I would really rather they concentrate on cabinet people and others who will be heavilly involved in the economic crisis then healthcare, defense etc.

eagle1776 (Sent Thursday, January 08, 2009 12:37 PM)

he will get nominated without a hitch. this is a smart and good choice. healthcare reform is on the way america. finally. wew need it bad.

ace (Sent Thursday, January 08, 2009 12:43 PM)

chuck my man, i was disappointed at the spin chris was trying to apply to obama's speech afterward. him and mark were trying to imply that obama was taking a swipe at the gop. that was really wrong of chris and mark. he didn't call the gop a all. he said mistakes and actions made in the past. i tok that as meaning all of congree (house and senate). why do you guys try to make a negative narrative when this country at more than any other time needs truth of words made clear. the media could bring a large portion of this country together. you guys need to do more than sell papers and drive up ratings don't you think? just a thouhgt man. don't take away the president elect chances to get going before he gets in office. tell chris to take a deep breath. you were pretty negative this morning to chuck.

ace (Sent Thursday, January 08, 2009 12:52 PM)

eagle1776 - health care IS PART of the economic crisis that we're in so it should definitely be a part of the solution. It's all interconnected...

Patrick, Boulder C) (Sent Thursday, January 08, 2009 1:11 PM)

ace: well said; the media constantly defines analysis as negative criticism and the socalled "pundits" have become overpaid celebrities rather than journalists. Sometimes I wonder how much of their negativity is just sheer envy of this 47 year old who has risen to become the president.

The media is constantly polling the polticians; perhaps they should get a spone and poll their own approval/credibility ratings and actually publish the results.

lynn (Sent Thursday, January 08, 2009 1:33 PM)

EAGLE 1776, YOU MIGHT WANT TO COME DOWN OUT OF THE NEST. HEALTHCARE IS 7% OF THE TOTAL ECONOMY, A PRETTY BIG DEAL. I SUPPOSE YOU WANT HIGH MEDICAL BILLS & MEDICINE TAKING A BIG CHUNK OUT OF YOUR CHECK & YOUR EMPLOYER'S POCKET? ASK THE AUTO COMPANY'S ABOUT HEALTHCARE & HOW IT AFFECTS THEIR BOTTOM LINE. ALSO, CLAMPING DOWN ON THE DEFENSE BUDGET ($400 HAMMERS, $800 TOILETS, PROBABLY MUCH WORSE); WOULD ACTUALLY CUT DOWN ON WASTE IN THE OVERALL FEDERAL BUDGET, WITH THE OVERSITE THAT OBAMA HAS PROMISED.

JOHN CHICAGO (Sent Thursday, January 08, 2009 1:34 PM)

This sounds like a good start. I just hope that he has ideas to make being healthy sound more than just something that you're supposed to do.

I wonder when the really hard questions will come. I know that the Senate has a reputation for confirming its own. Will that be the case for Daschle AND Clinton? I can't wait to see if there is a bit of a fight.

S.B. Stein E.B. NJ (Sent Thursday, January 08, 2009 2:08 PM)

I think if the government subsidizes the costs of Screening Examinations for Prevention significantly, It will translate into the dramatic medical cost cuts as we all know the importance of the prevention as for cancer. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION !

hsr0601, seoul, korea (Sent Thursday, January 08, 2009 2:33 PM)

Daschle is opposed to single-payer. Not as progressive as you think he is.

Joe F, Santa Barbara, Calif (Sent Thursday, January 08, 2009 3:18 PM)

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