Daschle out as Obama cabinet nominee

February 3, 2009 | Steve McGough | | ,

Tom Daschle, former South Dakota Senator who at one time was a Democrat leader, has withdrawn his nomination to lead the Department of Health and Human Services.

At 1:21 p.m. yesterday, Anne Kornblut at the Washington Post wrote:

President Obama repeated his support on Monday for Thomas A. Daschle, whose failure to pay more than $146,000 in back taxes until last month has raised concerns about his nomination to head the Department of Health and Human Services.

During a White House photo op, Obama was asked whether he still stands by Daschle. “Absolutely,” Obama said. He was joined by the Vermont governor, Jim Douglas, a Republican.

Daschle sent a letter to the Senate Finance Committee apologizing for the mistake, saying he was “deeply embarrassed” by his tax oversight. The committee plans to meet with Daschle later on Monday.

Twenty four hours and 30 minutes later Kornblut reports again for the Washington Post:

Thomas A. Daschle, President Obama’s choice to be secretary of health and human services, has withdrawn his nomination, White House officials announced shortly after noon.

My ten bucks go to the bet that Obama asked him to pull out this morning. Presidents never seem to ask direct reports to resign, they always withdraw… geez.

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Steve McGough

Steve's a part-time conservative blogger. Steve grew up in Connecticut and has lived in Washington, D.C. and the Bahamas. He resides in Connecticut, where he’s comfortable six months of the year.

3 Comments

  1. Dimsdale on February 3, 2009 at 1:08 pm

    You would think that this allegedly intelligent president would be smart enough to make sure this crap is vetted BEFORE it gets to the media.    I mean, how inept can you be?  Is "Plan A" to ensure that the president is the last to know (giving him the benefit of the doubt).

    I am sure these candidates look good when filtered through a Chicago political lens, but we are in the real world here, Obama.  Get a clue.

    It just adds to my theory that they did not expect to win this election…



  2. Erik Blazynski on February 3, 2009 at 1:58 pm

    That is pretty fantastic.



  3. Dimsdale on February 3, 2009 at 5:20 pm

    Check out Powerline's gold nugget: they have a YouTube vid of an old Daschle campaign commercial of him in an old clunker!

    It is a keeper!



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