How Washington Changes People

As a disclaimer (and I think it should go without saying) I like Tom Daschle, I respect Tom Daschle, I'm proud to know Tom Daschle. This ad, however, which recently resurfaced from Senator Daschle's 1986 re-election campaign, in which he boasts of driving a beat up car to the Capitol. Of course, Senator Daschle saw his nomination for HHS Secretary slip away as a result of unpaid taxes on a car and driver here in Washington. It's not a dig at Tom Daschle, but just a great piece of irony and an evidence of how Washington truly does change people. (This was aired on the global edition of the Daily Show, which airs on CNN - it may have also aired in the U.S.)

Daschle's out

Former Sen. Tom Daschle (D-SD) has just withdrawn his pending nomination to be Secretary of Health and Human Services.  This is an unfortunate turn of events for a smart, dedicated man who could have been a strong leader on  universal health care; additionally, Tom has been a dedicated public servant and is a honest man who clearly made an error that ended up hurting him.

With this I have a question and a proposal.

1) Will Senator Daschle be leaving his position as Director of the White House Office of Health Care Reform? (Did he officially take that job yet?...It's not Senate confirmable).

2) Nominate Howard Dean.

Former Gov. Howard Dean, (D-VT), is superbly qualified to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, and his appointment would be embraced politically.  Quite honestly, after an impressive performance as Chairman of the DNC, Governor Dean deserves a position, and HHS Secretary is a great fit.  Gov. Dean is a physician who was an early leader in the health care debate, enacting legislation while governor that made Vermont the first state to guarantee health insurance for all children under age 18.  He proved over the past 4 years that he knows how to manage a large organization, think innovatively, and put up a tough political fight.   One major problem:  Dean and Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, don't, uh, exactly like each other.  But I think Rahm could be willing to put that aside.  After all, grown ups are running the White House again.

Daschle's glasses

With the news that former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, nominee for Secretary of Health and Human Services, failed to pay over $120,000 in taxes since leaving the Senate, there's been a bit of an uproar in Washington. Leader Daschle is meeting in closed session with the Senate Finance Committee today, and some believe this could actually derail his nomination. But aren't we all ignoring the bigger faux pas? Mr. Daschle's red glasses.