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 Tom Daschle (D-SD) has just withdrawn his pending nomination to be Secretary of Health and Human Services.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.

Brooks: Ward 3 Morality

David Brooks has a great piece in this morning's New York Times :

Ward 3 Morality

"For those who don’t know, Ward Three is a section of Northwest Washington, D.C., where many Democratic staffers, regulators, journalists, lawyers, Obama aides and senior civil servants live. Thanks to recent and coming bailouts and interventions, the people in Ward Three run the banks and many major industries. Through this power, they get to insert themselves into the intricacies of upscale life, influencing when private jets can be flown, when friends can lend each other their limousines and at what golf resorts corporate learning retreats can be held."

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.

Who's protecting Hillary?

I got to thinking the other day: who is in charge of protecting Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton? The Secretary of State is protected by special agents of the Bureau of Diplomatic Security within the State Department. However, as a former first lady, Mrs. Clinton is entitled to lifetime protection by the U.S. Secret Service. I imagine this poses a bit of a turf war between the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security, deciding who it's protecting - the Secretary of State or the former First Lady?

Senator ? (D-NH)

As is now old news at this point, the President is expected tomorrow to name Senator Judd Gregg (R-NH), ranking member of the Budget Committee, as his nominee for Secretary of Commerce. More then adding to the bipartisanship of the Obama cabinet in a critical cabinet post during this economic crisis, this is a move of either political brilliance or just simple math. Either way, I'm surprised it took us this long to come up with the idea. Gregg would obviously vacate his Senate seat, leaving it up to yet another governor to appoint a replacement. (This whole governors-naming-senators thing has been fun...why let it stop?) The governor of New Hampshire, John Lynch, is a Democrat. If Gov. Lynch were to appoint a Democrat (and if the Senate seats Al Franken (D-MN) who has been certified the winner) the Democrats will have 60 votes in the U.S. Senate, also known as a filibuster-proof majority. (Assuming you count Joe Lieberman, and feel free not to count him.) Meaning we could do pretty much whatever we wanted. The Republican party would be utterly obsolete for two years. Granted, that could get very dangerous and end up hurting the party in the long run. But man, those would be a great two years, wouldn't they? Maybe. If we had money to spend and could focus on more of our social and civil rights priorities, but whether it's 59 Democrats or 60, it's still going to be the economy, the economy, the economy, with any time left over going to Iraq. That, and Senator Gregg may have a caveat (according to the Post): he'll only resign if Gov. Lynch appoints a Republican - likely J. Bonnie Newman. I guess we'll see tomorrow.

The Oval Office: Locker room experience?

Former White House Chief of Staff under President Bush, Andrew Card, recently said the following on a right-wing talk show:

I found that Ronald Reagan and both President Bushes treated the Oval Office with tremendous respect. They treated the Office of the Presidency with tremendous respect. And some of that respect was reflected in how they expected people to behave, how they expected them to dress when they walked into the symbol of freedom for the world, the Oval Office. And yes, I'm disappointed to see the casual, laissez faire, short sleeves, no shirt and tie, no jacket, kind of locker room experience that seems to be taking place in this White House and the Oval Office.

First of all, the President and his aides were photographed in the Oval wearing shirts and ties, not cleats and gym shorts. They haven't turned the place into Animal House. What they have done is understood that respect for the Oval Office - and more importantly, for the Office of the President - is shown through the mature, lawful and honest exercising of the duties entrusted to it. President Bush may have required a suit jacket, but maybe he should have required a copy of the Constitution instead.

I applaud Michael Phelps

Towson's own Michael Phelps, the 14-time Olympic gold medalist, was photographed recently taking a bong hit at the University of South Carolina (go Camecocks!). And for that, I dislike you a little less; although people who went to high school with you have said you get loud, annoying, and obnoxiously cocky when you're high.