by Frank James
When a Democratic president wakes up to a New York Times editorial asking that the president's pick for a key cabinet post withdraw his nomination because of tax and other troubling issues, that's not a good start to the White House's day, to say the least.
The NYT wants Tom Daschle, the former Democratic majority leader, to renounce his nomination to be President Barack Obama's Health and Human Services secretary, a key position on the Obama team since the president intends to reform health-care.
This smells like a potentially very big problem for the administration since, coming from the liberal and still-very-influential NYT, it provides some very powerful ammunition to administration critics and political cover for any Democrats who may be now starting to get wobbly about Daschle because of his tax issues and how he has earned a bundle since leaving the Senate in 2005.
An excerpt:
When President Obama nominated former Senator Tom Daschle to be his secretary of health and human services, it seemed to be a good choice. Mr. Daschle, as the co-author of a book on health care reform, knew a lot about one of the president's signature issues. As a former Senate majority leader, he also knew a lot about guiding controversial bills through Congress, where he remains liked and respected by former colleagues.
Unfortunately, new facts have come to light -- involving his failure to pay substantial taxes that were owed and his sizable income from health-related companies while he worked in the private sector -- that call into question his suitability for the job. We believe that Mr. Daschle ought to step aside and let the president choose a less-blemished successor.
What makes the Daschle editorial so striking is that, just days ago, the same NYT editorial board gave Timothy Geithner a pass, saying he should be confirmed as Obama's Treasury
secretary.
A snippet from that editorial:
We were not impressed with Mr. Geithner's excuses for his tax problems, but barring any new damaging disclosures, we heard nothing disqualifying. He is clearly an intelligent man and Mr. Obama is entitled to pick his own team.
The president said Monday that he still "absolutely" had confidence in Daschle. So he appears to have thrown his full political capital behind his HHS nominee.
Because of his high voter approval, Obama may decide to tough this one out especially since he probably doesn't want to signal weakness as he prepares to negotiate with Congress over the controversial economic stimulus plan.
But the NYT editorial will likely set off new and larger waves of outcry against the nomination that could leave Daschle in terrible political shape, even after his confirmation and unable to effectively do what Obama hoped the South Dakotan would -- navigate the administration's health-care reform efforts through Congress.
So the urgent question for White House officials now is whether sticking with Daschle is a winning strategy? Is it worth the ultimate price?
For the record, the Chicago Tribune is also calling for Daschle to drop out in an editorial headlined: "Daschle is dispensable."
Comments
I agree that Daschle's nomination should be withdrawn. What kind of signal does it send the American people? Also, down the road this means that basically tax issues will no longer prevent someone from holding a cabinet position.
Posted by: Karl | February 3, 2009 9:54 AM
Interesting Obam promised in his CHANGE he wanted an up and up Goverment-
Does this mean Tax Tax Cheats and Pardon Specialist??????.
Posted by: Inky | February 3, 2009 9:55 AM
It is a great feeling to see some of the American Media come to thier sense and speak out agains some of Obam's CHANGE.
Finally-------------
God Bless America
Posted by: Inky | February 3, 2009 10:06 AM
Daschle does seem to have quite a bit of sleaze attached to him. He'd have been a better fit for the Reagan administration.
Posted by: Flo | February 3, 2009 10:23 AM
In '98 the nominee said all tax cheats should be held to the highest extent of the law. Don't you love have someone's words can come back to bite them in the butt. Mr. Daschle, you uttered that statement and now you expect an "I'm sorry" to let you off the hook - you're pathetic and a fraud.
Posted by: vla | February 3, 2009 10:24 AM
In life there are consequences, and Daschle is going to have to face them. The issue is too important to be sidetracked by out side distractions. Change starts at the top, and if a mistake is made on an appointment we need to see honesty from the Obama administration.
Posted by: GK | February 3, 2009 10:31 AM
Su-weet! Daschle dodges $140,000 in income taxes and penalties, doesn't pay his Medicare taxes, claims more charitable deductions than he made, looks really dirty for some of his "advisor fees" and payments from health ins. companies, but the "democrats" don't see any problems with any of that, nothing to disqualify him for the Health and Human Services job. Oops, I forgot, they're democrats, no ethics, morality, honesty, or honor to get in their way! Daschle probably doesn't have a clue why there is any uproar about it! Don't expect Sharpton or Geithner think he did anything wrong! The Messiah doesn't see any problem! There's your "Change", allright! The jackals are breaking into the henhouse! (Ya think maybe Geithner will go after him for tax evasion?)
Posted by: lightnin | February 3, 2009 10:44 AM
Let's bring back the republican motto....."he quit to spend more time with his family".
Posted by: bill r. | February 3, 2009 10:52 AM
=====================
=
OBAMA IS SYSTEMATICALLY PREFERRING THE CORRUPT POLITICIANS FOR HIS CABINET
=
=====================
Posted by: N Waff | February 3, 2009 11:05 AM
Even the Grey Lady knows this tax cheat needs to go. You know what else is very illuminating? Daschle spent years in the US Senate and even many republicans in that body came to Hillary's defense when she was questioned about campaign finance and Bill's foundation during the confirmation process.
These republicans knew Hillary would work with both sides and do what's right for the country. Have you noticed the silence from senators of both parties when it comes to defending Daschle? Somebody didn't make very many friends in the senate.
Posted by: Jeff | February 3, 2009 11:34 AM
Tom Daschle is on tape saying, just two years ago, that the IRS must crack down on tax cheats. I guess he didn't add, "present company excepted." Next question: How many people are in federal prisons for tax evasion? Better keep Gitmo open for all of the Obama tax evaders.
Posted by: Danforth | February 3, 2009 11:42 AM
Daschle probably would have been great in the job, but a man of his experience and stature knows better. I supported Obama but I don't want his cabinet full of tax cheats.
Posted by: Grandblvd03 | February 3, 2009 12:35 PM
@ Flo...
Really? You're trying to attack a dead President's administration to distract us from the inability of President Obama's staff to properly choose and vet individuals?
It's seems that the rhetoric of "hope" and "change" have done nothing to change your politics.
Posted by: BT | February 3, 2009 1:08 PM
BT, I never said a word about hope and change. I attacked Daschle as being sleazy. In another post I attacked Killefer as well. And I also made an historical comparison for a bit of perspective that's needed here. If you were distracted, that's your problem.
Posted by: Flo | February 3, 2009 2:00 PM
A graveyard is full of indispensable men.
---Charles de Gaulle
Posted by: Iya | February 4, 2009 3:48 AM
If a candidate for any cabinet position has tax problems, I wouldn't think that would NECESSARILY preclude his/her being confirmed. That all depends on a whole lot of "if's" that get really subjective -- how much taxes? how long? what's the reason? intentional or honest mistake? The final judgment (fortunately or unfortunately) really lies in the people doing the confirming, and I'm glad they're asking hard questions and demanding answers.
.
In this particular case, it looks to me like the answers are tending to "too much, for too long, and apparently without a whole lot of mitigating circumstances." At this point, Daschle is just getting in the way and he should withdraw his application.
Posted by: Op109 | February 4, 2009 9:36 AM