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The Spectacle Blog

Daschle's Woes Complicate Obama's Health Care Push

By Philip Klein on 2.2.09 @ 11:46AM

What interests me most about Tom Daschle's tax problems is how it will affect the upcoming push on health care. Remember that Daschle was not merely tapped by President Obama to be Secretary of Health and Human Services, but to head up the newly created White House Office of Health Reform. It's a symbolic position, but it sent a signal that Daschle wasn't intended to be somebody who would merely run the bureaucracy of HHS, but who would lead Obama's effort to craft a health-care proposal and shepherd it through Congress. Aside from his close relationship with Obama and his passion for health care, the former Senate Majority Leader was tapped because of his vast legislative experience and talent and getting things passed. This was touted as a major contrast to Bill Clinton's failed attempt at reform, which was led by Hillary Clinton and Ira Magaziner, neither of whom had any legislative experience. If Daschle is forced to withdraw his nomination only to be replaced by a more conventional pick, it would be a setback for Obama's efforts on health care. But even if Daschle somehow survives, he'll be damaged goods. He won't have the same clout on the Hill, and he won't have as much credibility with the general public. During the transition process, Daschle was put out as the public face of the Obama health care effort, traveling around the country to lead discussions on the issue, and recording YouTube videos that were posted on the change.gov transition website. Are people going to trust a man to reorganize our $2 trillion health-care system who has received hundreds of thousands in speaking fees from health-care interests, and who failed to pay $140,000 in taxes?

View all comments (7) | Leave a comment

J David| 2.2.09 @ 1:15PM

The law only applies to conservative Republicans, and everyone has accepted this, including RINOs.
The choir is upset here, but the sinners out in the street, who are promised their piece of the pie, don't give a hoot in hell... The few here who are squealing with righteous indignation appear to be making absolutely no difference whatsoever. This is one consequence of putting up fake conservatives to oppose real socialists.

Eye Doc| 2.2.09 @ 1:33PM

Daschle will have plenty of clout with the average American, because the average American doesn't know who Daschle is, or what an unethical slimeball he is. All they'll know is that Daschle and Obama promised them free health care.

ruth| 2.2.09 @ 3:26PM

More Obama (Democrat) corruption, looks like he brought Chicago with him.

dk| 2.2.09 @ 3:29PM

Daschle's tax problems should disqualify him and Geithner's srrely should have. Howard Dean would be a good choice for HHS post.

Just how did Daschle earn 5 million in 2 years??

Gene| 2.2.09 @ 3:57PM

Good comment EyeDoc, there are a lot of poeple here in the west know what kind of slimball he really is especially in South Dakota they voted him out in faver of Senator Thune, what bothers me is the news i am hearing is they have the vote to get him in, which brings up another question , do the republicans not have the spine to vote him down ? Or could it be they have the same problems, my guess a lot of them do.

ruth| 2.2.09 @ 4:42PM

All the demos have to do is mutter an apology and their malfeasance is forgiven. Repubs would be excoriated. I can't believe the corruption of the media--they are traitors.

WendyG| 2.2.09 @ 6:56PM

>>>>All the demos have to do is mutter an apology and their malfeasance is forgiven. Repubs would be excoriated. I can't believe the corruption of the media--they are traitors.

I can't say it better than that Ruth. It's all so sickening!!