Daschle withdraws nomination

Posted: Tuesday, February 03, 2009 12:49 PM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: White House, Barack Obama

From NBC's Athena Jones

Breaking News: Tom Daschle has withdrawn his name to be President Obama's HHS secretary. More information to come.

*** UPDATE *** Obama issued this statement: "This morning, Tom Daschle asked me to withdraw his nomination for Secretary of Health and Human Services. I accept his decision with sadness and regret."

"Tom Daschle has devoted his life to public service and health care reform, so that every American has access to health care they can afford. I had hoped that he could bring this passion and expertise to bear to finally achieve that goal, which is so essential to the progress of our economy and the well-being of businesses and families across our nation.

"Tom made a mistake, which he has openly acknowledged. He has not excused it, nor do I. But that mistake, and this decision, cannot diminish the many contributions Tom has made to this country, from his years in the military to his decades of public service. Now we much move forward, with our plan to lift this economy and put people back to work."

*** UPDATE 2 *** The statement from Daschle: "I have just informed the president that I am withdrawing my name from consideration for Secretary of Health and Human Services. To be chosen by President Obama to run the Department of Health and Human Services and to lead the reform of America's health care system is one of the signal honors of an improbable career."

"But if 30 years of exposure to the challenges inherent in our system has taught me anything, it has taught me that this work will require a leader who can operate with the full faith of Congress and the American people, and without distraction. Right now, I am not that leader, and will not be a distraction. The focus of Congress should be on the urgent business moving the President's economic agenda forward, including affordable health care for every American."

"We need the best care in America to be availabe to all Americans. We need this effort to succeed. Lives and livelihoods are at stake. I will not be the architect of America's health system reform, but I remain one of its most fervent supporters. Thank you."

*** UPDATE 3 *** The White House confirms that Daschle will not stay on in the White House role as health care czar created for him.

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Comments

I am surprised at the low number of repub posters...thought they would try to flood the blog. It is disturbing the vetting process by the President seems to have some holes in it. More dems in office, by %s, will show more dems in scandals. Hopefully, Pres Obama will bring about this change, although he has given the repubs some ammo. Pres Obama, however, has some time to overcome these stumbles.
Daschle did the honorable thing and not cause more issues with his admin.

CA Indie for Obama (Sent Tuesday, February 03, 2009 1:36 PM)

Good news.

Send a message that Obama can get away with some stuff but not everything.

N7r3pyd (Sent Tuesday, February 03, 2009 1:36 PM)

We do not need a stimulus plan!

We can get the money by the IRS auditing every single politician out there. Voila! Mucho dinero!!

SAM, USA (Sent Tuesday, February 03, 2009 1:36 PM)

Obama issued this statement: "This morning, Tom Daschle asked me to withdraw his nomination for Secretary of Health and Human Services. I accept his decision with sadness and regret."

"Tom Daschle has devoted his life to public service and health care reform, so that every American has access to health care they can afford. I had hoped that he could bring this passion and expertise to bear to finally achieve that goal, which is so essential to the progress of our economy and the well-being of businesses and families across our nation.

Oh well there goes "The Healthcare Reform Act. This issue has placed me in the position to place a hold on 1000 project ready jobs that I can create at the stroke of the pen, with opportunies to increase to number within 12 months to at least 2000 with insurance benefits and not minimal wages mind you.

We must remember this when we don't get a healthcare reform act. Actually this position is not something that anyone can perform. We musn't complain about it either. I surely hope that Mr. Daschle will still play a role as adviser on this subject, we definately need is knowledge....more than anyone knows.

Anita, Birmingham, alabama (Sent Tuesday, February 03, 2009 1:39 PM)

Stupid is as stupid does.

Forrest Gump (Sent Tuesday, February 03, 2009 1:41 PM)

Do you think ANYONE in congress does there own taxes. I used to have my taxes done, asked a few questions, and signed my name. I would hate to go back now and explain any mistates or misjudgements made by my tax man.

I read somewhere that 50% of tax returns have errors.

Maybe we should now bipartisanly check each and every tax return for everyone working for our government. This will creat jobs!!!!

Carole, San Diego (Sent Tuesday, February 03, 2009 1:42 PM)

Howard Dean?? Yeah - there's a stable being.

I'd rather have Howard Stern.

TJM, NY (Sent Tuesday, February 03, 2009 1:44 PM)

Beverly in Chicago (Sent Tuesday, February 03, 2009 1:45 PM)

Doctors are the last people you'd want to be in charge of this. I've been an advocate of patient care for years and I can personally tell you that doctors and the insurance companies are the reason a lot of people can't afford insurance now.

Why do you think that people are paying more money for prescriptions? Doctors and pharmaceutical companies work with each other (this is a fact).

Anita, Birmingham, Alabama (Sent Tuesday, February 03, 2009 1:47 PM)

Somebody,anybody,know the truth about Morning Joe Scarborough and the story about the dead, I heard hooker that was found in his office while he was in congress.Here is a younger guy,could have stayed on the gravy train like his fellow repubs for many more years.eather he is a moron with a big mouth,or he was up to his eyeballs in questionable behavior.anybody?

jesse St.Paul Minnesota (Sent Tuesday, February 03, 2009 1:48 PM)

What we got here is nothing more or less than a MAN who is a team player. At the sign of contraversy he is thinking of the good of the coach and the team. I am sure the republican talking heads (Limbaugh et al.) are loading up with their nasty snide remarks, but on it's face value. This man is a patriot and Linbaugh is a convicted drug addict.

Pacheck, Huntington Beach, Ca. (Sent Tuesday, February 03, 2009 1:52 PM)

Howard Dean is NOT the answer folks! As a former physician he is part of the PROBLEM in Health Care. I know, I've been in for over 30 years. Physicians are the worst. Many of them are in it just to make money (shock)and could care less about what the average person needs as far as health care is concerned. Some won't even see patients unless they have good insurance. He's also too hyper for the position. No, Obama needs to look elsewhere.

Diane from Illinois (Sent Tuesday, February 03, 2009 1:52 PM)

Well, no one said it was going to be easy. Of the many employee that will be working for the Obama administration there will be some that will not pass the tests. How many others Republicans and Democrates that have not paid attention to all their tax obligations, and have overlooked paying the ones they feel is not right? It is a good example of the need to overhaul the tax system. Sometimes what the common taxpayer have to put up with is not realize to the people who are in congress and corpotations have to abide by the same crazy taxes rules and laws that the little people have to adher to. The problem is there are probably those who can afford to not adhered to the same rules as the rest of us. Obama will realize there are two Americas, one for those who have the means to avoid paying all the taxes they are required to pay, and those who don't have the means to advoid paying with the few dollars that we have.

Diana Owens, Tacoma, Washington (Sent Tuesday, February 03, 2009 1:52 PM)

What's disturbing is that Obama would have went to the mat for Daschle. It doesn't matter to Obama that someone is a tax cheat, look at Geitner for evidence.

Obama has stumbled coming out of the gate.

Lanny Taylor, NY (Sent Tuesday, February 03, 2009 1:54 PM)

YEEEEEEEEEAHHHH. Were gonna save em in Pa. and georgia and IdahoYYYYYEEEEEAHhhhhhh. Then were gonna save em in Fla. and Cuba and Puerto Rico YEEEEEAHHHHHHH " Howard DEans acceptance Speech" YEEEEAAAHHHHHHHH

Truthteller (Sent Tuesday, February 03, 2009 1:55 PM)

What about Tim "Turbo Tax" Geithner? When is that crook going to resign?

Times Ten (Sent Tuesday, February 03, 2009 1:56 PM)

Let's not compare this administration with the last, folks. Obama does have a few (out of what, a thousand?) people who were lobbiests, but some lobbied for 'Tobacco Free Youth' and the like. Not exactly like Bush's 1000 lobbiests that he appointed, most of whom worked for big oil and military companies.
No, let's not get the two administrations confused with each other - read up, don't just spout off.

Teach (Sent Tuesday, February 03, 2009 1:57 PM)

How bout' Howard Dean. A Doctor who just did a bang up job for the DNC...!!

HELLO..!! Anybody out there...!!

All kidding aside, I really think Mr. Dean would do a bang up job, we need HEALTH CARE for everyone..

Paul Greves, Phoenix, Arizona (Sent Tuesday, February 03, 2009 1:57 PM)

"Now quit appointing Senators or lobysist...Break up this elite club and get down to business....I listen to Barney Frank who was involved with fannie may and freddie, hes still around, must be part of the elite club and we can go on with more.....If we ..Start sending out the pink slips to the elite it could get scary they will all be gone and who will run washington,"

----

I'm sorry, but isn't Congressman Frank subject to the opinions of Massachusetts voters, or, do we blindly obey the rantings of narcotic addicts on the radio who have zero personal responsibilities and allow them to tell us who's perfect enough to serve?

Daschle's actions -- bad and good -- speak for themselves, but I agree that, "Now we can have someone who's perfect...because perfection and politics always goes hand in hand."

You excoriated Jimmy Carter because he was a micromanaging choir boy, but Daschle and Geithner have credentials and understandings crucial to changing how this country runs. Neither is a perfect man, but their willingness to step up at a time like this and guide policy outweighs their screw-ups.

And if you indict Daschle and Geithner, please go after Halliburton and Enron and WorldCom and Wall Street with the same fervor.

schriendog, colorado springs (Sent Tuesday, February 03, 2009 1:58 PM)

Obama KNEW Daschle had a tax problem, his own people did the vetting, and he STILL nominated him. What in the world is wrong with Obama?

Wounded Knee (Sent Tuesday, February 03, 2009 1:58 PM)

Howard Dean...I don't think so. You don't put a fox in the hen house. Has anyone of the "experts" out there figured out why we have problems with our healthcare system? Dah?

Anita, Birmingham, Alabama (Sent Tuesday, February 03, 2009 1:58 PM)

CA Indie for Obama:

There are typically only around 20% Republican posters here anyway. If that many.

Some of these things speak for themselves, though.

Richard, Washington State (Sent Tuesday, February 03, 2009 1:58 PM)

Well folks, I agree with a number of you, Eagle, Bev in Chi, Clara in KC, MSierra, DemoSoldier, and some others. Yes, Daschle did the right thing and Yes it was a bit of a partisan witch hunt.

We are at war, not with the terrorists or the commies or any state actors. We are at war with the forces of evil that have pushed OUR country down the path toward consolidation of wealth and away from a strong democracy based on a healthy and growing middle class.

Dr. Dean would be a great pick. One wonders if any of the chattering class read our musings here, lol.

The GOPer losers including Slimy Joe. S. will do anything to obstruct our adgenda. WE WON in November. Don't ever forget that. WE will support Our President.
GOPer losers, he is your president also. If he fails, we all fail.

I recall a simple yet powerful saying from a Carlos Castenada book I read in grad school.
"A warrior is impeccable" - Don Juan

The obstructionists will continue to run their stupid game so WE must require are leaders and their staffs to be impeccable (def impeccable adj. Having no flaws; perfect. See synonyms at perfect . Incapable of sin or wrongdoing).

Difficult task, yes it is but "It don't come easy"

Ed, FW, TX (Sent Tuesday, February 03, 2009 2:01 PM)

Even some of the Obomabots on this site are seeing Obama's true colors after a few short weeks. Who is going to help Obama clean the egg off of his face after he adamantly stood by his appointment of Daschle?

Humpty Dumpty

The Obama-nations are a bit wobbled, but they'll regain their sea-legs. State of the Union speech is coming up soon, and a fresh batch of Kool-Aide will be passed out to the faithful.

Oh Yeah! (Sent Tuesday, February 03, 2009 2:01 PM)

Why are some people making it sound like Democrats are all corrupt and doing illeagal things, while the Republicans are all saints. How soon we forget the Bush administration. Republicans are always trying to make themselves into the victims. President Obama didn't only win he won big. It is time to get past the pettiness that is going on and work together for a common good, and that would be the United States and it's citizens!!!!

Shawn, Conroe Texas (Sent Tuesday, February 03, 2009 2:05 PM)

Nominate Gov. Howard Dean for the Secretary of Health and Family Services. He is a physican , a past governor and would have a passion for the positon. Being a governor Dean also understand the politics of the positon.

Steven J. Balazic Chicago , Illinois (Sent Tuesday, February 03, 2009 2:15 PM)

Another thing that hasn't changed. The president goes on record as "absolutely" supporting a nominee through thick and thin. Then accepts the withdrawal with regret. I hear echoes
--------------------------------------------------
I'm with you Richard. I seem to recall 'I could no more disown him than I could my white grandmother.' Until, of course, a month later when he had no problem disowning him.

Well, how can you not accept a withdrawl? You can't force someone to take a job he/she doesn't want.
As far as the Reverand, he continued to spout some wierd things even after Obama's remark. I am not sure Obama disowned him, but rather he just publicly disapproved of his remarks.
Keep it up, Bev, someday your party will be in power again.
But not today.

Teach (Sent Tuesday, February 03, 2009 2:19 PM)

Thank you Senator Daschle for doing the right thing. I am sure, with a little time, Obama will find the right person for this Cabinet Post. I would start with anyone who worked on this in 1992 and who knows, like Hillary, everything that went wrong back then, so that we can work on this project with the right due dilligence and allowing yes..even some of my Specialists down here in Florida, to have input or a seat at the table with resolving our health care in the U.S. I talk to Doctors all the time, and they feel Obama is not going to let them have input on this issue.

Barbara C. - Fort Lauderdale, FL (Sent Tuesday, February 03, 2009 2:19 PM)

The obstructionists will continue to run their stupid game so WE must require are leaders and their staffs to be impeccable (def impeccable adj. Having no flaws; perfect. See synonyms at perfect . Incapable of sin or wrongdoing).

Difficult task, yes it is but "It don't come easy"

Ed, FW, TX

================

Are you calling for Tim Geithner's resignation? Clinton's too, you know, with all her and her husbands conflicts of interest.

If not, then you're just blowing a lot of hot air.

Richard Robbins, Buffalo NY (Sent Tuesday, February 03, 2009 2:21 PM)

It is only fair that the Democrats' feet be held to the fire just as the Republicans'feet were. Fair is fair, after all. All politicians should expect scrutiny no matter what. A whiner is a whiner no matter which party they belong to.

Time about is fair play (Sent Tuesday, February 03, 2009 2:22 PM)

YEYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

JOHN DOE (Sent Tuesday, February 03, 2009 2:22 PM)

Diane from Illinois:

Thank's for helping explain this issue to some of the cabinet appointment experts.

Anita, Birmingham, Alabama (Sent Tuesday, February 03, 2009 2:27 PM)

Do not be fooled by the remaining right wing republican rhetoric. They do not want want any form of healthcare reform. They do not want to put more money in Americans pockets unless you are the top 1% and they could care less about the foreclosures in America. They have almost destroyed this country with trickle down economics and war. Now they are attacking all of President Obamas nominees, let them all be vetted on their taxes to stay in the house and senate!

Claudette, Florida (Sent Tuesday, February 03, 2009 2:31 PM)

The only thing new in Washington nominations under this administration is that it does not sweep these things under the rug. They are being transparent. Let Obama chose his people, manage his people and attempt to clean up the mess of BUSH! We can handle a mistake on the taxes, we can not handle the thousands of deadly mistakes of the Bush administration without, good people who learn from a mistake. Unlike Bush and the republicians who can not even admit to making them.

Claudette, Florida (Sent Tuesday, February 03, 2009 2:37 PM)

People who are celebrating Daschle's withdrawl have no clue what a talent this man has and what the country has lost. He could have truly reformed our broken health care system. What a shame.

Lisa in Florida (Sent Tuesday, February 03, 2009 2:39 PM)

Joe Doaks,anytown (Sent Tuesday, February 03, 2009 2:41 PM)

Hey Me Rae Peat, Doster, GA:
In answer to your question did we notice that no Repbulican nominees were tax cheaters? Yes we noticed have you noticed that high rolling Republicans do not pay taxes that is only for poor people. Or is this one more area you are ignorant in. This is from a reformed high level Repbulican who did not pay taxes and was taught how not to by other Republicans.

Sandra, Phoenix, AZ (Sent Tuesday, February 03, 2009 2:50 PM)

Thank You senator for doing the right thing!!!
you have restored my faith in the system

Jackie F Baltimore,Maryland (Sent Tuesday, February 03, 2009 2:51 PM)

Howard Dean for HHS post is absolutely the right choice. Do not place any more Republicans to cabinet positions.

Ayden, Eugene, Oregon (Sent Tuesday, February 03, 2009 2:54 PM)

I have paid my taxes,kept up with my mortgage and providrd for my family. Yep, just Joe six pack. since I have been so successful, where is my bonus?

Jim wlson, Oswego, NY (Sent Tuesday, February 03, 2009 3:12 PM)

Somebody said President Obama has released presidential records; I want to see the personal records - Why is his birth certificate off-limits? Why wouldn't he want everyone to know where he was born if it's on the level?
Joe Doaks,anytown (Sent Tuesday, February 03, 2009 2:41 PM)

____________________________________________
Joe, I believe he only released PREVIOUS presidents' records. Mr. Obama himself is off limits. "DO AS I SAY, NOT AS I DO" ......."I AM ABOVE THE LAW"

He's Still A Liar (Sent Tuesday, February 03, 2009 3:45 PM)

Judgment to lead? I guess this is called On The Job Training.

Suze (Sent Tuesday, February 03, 2009 4:30 PM)

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