About
Learn More about our progressive online community for the Granite State.

Create an account today (it's free and easy) and get started!
Menu

Make a New Account

Username:

Password:



Forget your username or password?


Search




Advanced Search


The Masthead
Managing Editors


Jennifer Daler

Contributing Writers
elwood
Mike Hoefer
 susanthe
 William Tucker
ActBlue Hampshire

The Roll, Etc.
Prog Blogs, Orgs & Alumni
Bank Slate
Betsy Devine
birch, finch, beech
Democracy for NH
Live Free or Die
Mike Caulfield
Miscellany Blue
Granite State Progress
Seacoast for Change
Still No Going Back
Susan the Bruce
Tomorrow's Progressives

Politicos & Punditry
The Burt Cohen Show
John Gregg
Krauss
Landrigan
Lawson
Pindell
Primary Monitor
Primary Wire
Scala
Schoenberg
Spiliotes
Welch

Campaigns, Et Alia.
Paul Hodes
Carol Shea-Porter
Ann McLane Kuster
John Lynch
Jennifer Daler

ActBlue Hampshire
NHDP
DCCC
DSCC
DNC

National
Balloon Juice
billmon
Congress Matters
DailyKos
Digby
Hold Fast
Eschaton
FiveThirtyEight
MyDD
The Next Hurrah
Open Left
Senate Guru
Swing State Project
Talking Points Memo

50 State Blog Network
Alabama
Arizona
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin

Daschle Withdraws as HHS Nominee

by: Jennifer Daler

Tue Feb 03, 2009 at 14:01:28 PM EST
(I guess this explains the Facebook Petition for Howard Dean. To bad things are so slow around here... - promoted by Mike Hoefer)

With all the hubub regarding Commerce around here, I thought it would be important to comment on this bit of news. A tip of the hat to DKos.

Many people were unhappy with this appointment because of the rather close relationship Daschle had with the health care industry.  
Jennifer Daler :: Daschle Withdraws as HHS Nominee
 From the New York Times

Mr. Daschle's financial ties to major players in the health care industry may prove to be even more troublesome as health reform efforts proceed. Like many former power players in Washington, Mr. Daschle cashed in on his political savvy and influence to earn $5 million in recent years, including more than $2 million from Alston & Bird, a law and lobbying firm; more than $2 million from the private equity firm, InterMedia Advisors, which provided the car and driver; and hundreds of thousands of dollars for speeches to interest groups, including those representing health insurance plans, medical equipment distributors and pharmacy boards.

Mr. Daschle is another in a long line of politicians who move cozily between government and industry. We don't know that his industry ties would influence his judgments on health issues, but they could potentially throw a cloud over health care reform. Mr. Daschle could clear the atmosphere by withdrawing his name.
Tags: , , , , (All Tags)
Print Friendly View Send As Email
Daschle Withdraws as HHS Nominee | 12 comments
This is a body blow to Obama n/t (4.00 / 1)


Whack-a-mole, anyone?
Agreed (0.00 / 0)
Also an uncharacteristically dumb move by Daschle.

[ Parent ]
I agree as well... (0.00 / 0)
Daschle knew of his tax problem in June (at the latest) and didn't tell Obama's team until 3 days after his nomination was announced.  Leaving aside the rest of his lobbying and affiliation issues, that manipulation of Obama's vetting process is all you need to know about Daschle's integrity.

Obama should have withdrawn the nomination then and there.

The meme has just shifted from "a few hiccups" to a narrative of serious errors.  

[ Parent ]
Life is what happens when you're busy making plans (0.00 / 0)

Right now, Obama is getting a baptism by fire.  First, by Republicans who are mugging him over his vain desire to get bi-partisan support for his stimulus package and set a new tone in Washington.

Second, by Democrats who are Washington insiders whom he picked to be cabinet members.

Hopefully, Obama will be a quick learner and figure out that passing the right stimulus package even if it means not getting one Republican vote is better than letting Republicans destroy the entire effort through their playing him with a promise of cooperation they don't intend to give.  

[ Parent ]
Next (4.00 / 7)
Secretary of HHS Howard Dean?
that would (4.00 / 1)
make too much sense.  

sanctimonious purist/professional lefty
[ Parent ]
Facebook Group! (0.00 / 0)
http://www.facebook.com/group....

Hope > Fear




Create a free Blue Hampshire account and join the conversation.
[ Parent ]
The customary response is... (4.00 / 4)
... he was too partisan and lightning rod as DNC chair, he'll never get people working across the aisle on health care.

But what I see is a health care expert, a medical doctor, and a governor who got children's health care passed in VT.

AND someone not currently employed.

Dr. Dean, your country needs you.

birch, finch, beech

[ Parent ]
We already have a Cabinet officer (4.00 / 2)
recruited specifically to get Congress working across the aisle.

Judd Gregg frees Obama to pick Dr. Dean.

[ Parent ]
The Phone Call That Should Be Made (0.00 / 0)

Obama: "Hello, Howard? This is Barack. How are you?  Great.  Say, listen, I think I have a job you might be interested in..."

On AC180 tonight. (4.00 / 1)
The President said, "I screwed up."

So fresh and honest.  Love that man.

Feeling hopeful since 2004...now "Secretary" of the New Boston Democratic Caucus

On the Daschle situation (0.00 / 0)
Daschle was going to have two hats: Secretary of HHS and White House advisor on health care reform.

Split the positions. Howard Dean to HHS. Find a new I/P envoy and bring in George Mitchell as White House advisor / Senate liaison.

Daschle Withdraws as HHS Nominee | 12 comments

Connect with BH
     
Blue Hampshire Blog on Facebook
Powered by: SoapBlox