Obama Spokesman: Daschle Chose To Withdraw

The Obama administration expressed contrition and sadness over the withdrawal of Tom Daschle's nomination to head the Department of Health and Human Services, saying that the former Senate Majority Leader's tax troubles would have posed too much a burden.

"He did not want to be a distraction to that agenda. Senator Daschle has served this country for almost three decades with distinction and I think America can be proud of that service," said spokesman Robert Gibbs. "I think they both realized that you can't set an example of responsibility but accept a different standard in your service."

Gibbs insisted that the White House had not told Daschle to drop his nomination, repeatedly saying the choice was strictly his. "I don't know how much more clearly I can say 'no,'" Gibbs said after multiple queries.

Gibbs also told reporters that the president remained satisfied that the vetting process -- which has witnessed three nominees withdrawing their nominations and another bogged down by similar tax concerns -- was thorough and effective.

"The president is quite confident in the people that serve in this White House and in this administration," he said. "We have set a standard of ethics and accountability that is unseen or matched by any previous administration in our country's history."

Gibbs struck a tone of defiance, arguing that Daschle's withdrawal underscored the administration's commitment to outstanding ethical policies and would not deter President Obama from pursuing comprehensive health care reform.

"The effort is far bigger than any one individual," Gibbs said. "Americans pay more for health care and get less from it that any other industrialized country on the planet."

Democrats, it seems, are torn over the prudence of Daschle's departure. On the one hand, the ethical clouds that hung over his nomination posed serious obstacles to his ability to push legislation through Congress. On the other, ethical mishaps in Washington can be quickly forgotten. And Daschle, unlike other possible candidates for the post, was uniquely positioned to persuade the Senate to back Obama's health reform cause.

As of Tuesday morning, Democratic aides on Capitol Hill were predicting Daschle's survival based solely on the latter premise. In private, a few progressives expressed a sense of relief that the issue was put to its miserable end, arguing that Daschle's withdrawal gave Obama a stronger platform to tout his commitment to ethics and government.

As for a possible Daschle replacement named by progressives -- former DNC Chair and Vermont Gov. Howard Dean -- Gibbs declined to speculate.

"I have been given many opportunities to play the name game, and I don't want to spin that wheel," he said.

Comments

[unite4change]

Everyone out here should see what President Obama is up against with these lobbyists:

http://thehill.com/business--lobby/

[swo68]

Wonder how long Gibbs. I sure wouldn't want to be him.

[swo68]

Er... I meant "how long Gibbs will last." I kinda feel sorry for him.

[GoogleMaster]

Even if Daschel DID make a tax mistake do we want a leader in charge who mistakenly lets such a minor detail as "paying his taxes" slip by him? Obama's looking for only the best and I'm sure he'll find a good replacement. Too bad for Mr Dashel but we voted for change and change is what we're going to get even if it kills us.

[mellowrant]

Don't care what Gibbs says. His vetting team SU-KS!!! He needs to be a man and admit it otherwise he sounds just like Bush the decider.

[LilyK]

Now Obama has a chance to pick the guy he should have picked first anyway: Howard Dean.

Not only does Dr. Dean understand our country's medical system as one of its practitioners but, in all the hoopla, it has been overlooked the extremely important role his 50-state strategy played in the Democratic victories of November 4. And while Team Obama might have perfected it, Dean was the one who brought on-line activism into national politics.

[Ramirez]

From Michael Ledeen at NRO:
******

Daschle's departure was summarized this way by the White House press spokesman:

Robert Gibbs told reporters Tuesday, "The bar that we set is the highest that any administration in the country has ever set."

Wrong, wrong, wrong. That's not how you do it. You get Obama to take credit for killing the Daschle nomination. You leak that Obama called up Daschle and told him to walk the plank. You leak that Killefer got the same rough treatment. And then you leak that Obama is replacing the team doing the background checks.

That's what Machiavelli would do, because it sends a message that everyone will respect. Gibbs' statement undermines the president.

http://corner.nationalreview.com/

[swo68]

Now THAT sounds like a good plan. A statement like that would have gone a long way weeks ago.

[stell]

Right. Coming out a day after he said he was fully behind him would have looked even worse.

[jimpleasant]

Ok Dashcle is gone for tax evasion....the woman he selected for commander of whatever...is gone over tax evasion....why is Gethner still in there as treasurer?
I don't want a thief in charge of the money....what is wrong here....this man should not have been selected for this important position of handling the money. He cheated the system so he gets rewarded with the job of handling the money.
Obama is supposed to be for change I thought....instead he selects the same "sleaze" we have had in the past. Makes me sick to my stomach.....I have lost all faith in our leaders....they are all "scumbags" with one agenda corruption and greed.

[wolf58]

watched today and must say the press corp are a bunch of idiots, No means No, no matter how they want to try to spin it.

[LucieLee]

Dean would be a great choice, as would CNN's Sanjay Gupta

[Cogitoe]

After one of the best transitions in history and an impressive first week on the job, the Obama Administation is blowing it big time this week from multiple cabinet appointment disasters to a pathetic attempt at a bipartisan stimulus package. What the heck happened? Here's some advice:

(1) Look further than your old Senate buddies for cabinet positions.
(2) If you expect Republicans to stop listening to Rush, you need to stop listening to Pelosi.
(3) Go back to practical government from the center and stop paying off campaign promises.

[spiritpony1]

everyone keeps FOCUSING on the tax biz; fine, but JUST AS imp. is his "relationship" ----toooooo close to health insurers--­------fran­kly, just too much "interest conflict"--------

[NCRDIBULL]

so far his best choices have been Hillary and the Republican guy...... Blago , so far hasn't broken as many laws as his picks

[miastella]

I'm sorry. I'm a supporter of Obama. But, the tax thing is one of the first and easiest things that can be checked with vetting. WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE? Do Obama's people think we will let these tax evaders in? Gethner? Why? IS there no one else who's actually Honest? Us little people know our taxes, and would be severely penalized if we did what these people did!!! Obama is embarassing himself. And I'm still paying taxes so I don't end up in jail. AND, I don't live the good life these criminals live.

[listentome]

This has nothing to do with Obama's reputation. Most of those folks rely on professionals to do their taxes for them. I used to work for IRS and can tell you firsthand that when discrepancies are discovered the IRS gives taxpayers the opportunity to make good on their owed taxes before labeling them criminals.

[RobHunt]

"On the other, ethical mishaps in Washington can be quickly forgotten."

Correction. Ethical "mishaps" can be quickly forgotten when DEMOCRATS do them. Remember who it is who does the remembering or forgetting - the press. Sure Chris Mathews (he of the tingly legs) or Katie Couric will "quickly forget" the trangressions of any of Obama's team. Easy.

George W Bush had a few mishaps of his own in his youth and the press went to TOWN on them. Do you really think his drinking in his 20's affected his ability to lead in his 50's long after he went on the wagon? If so, why is Obama's admitted COCAINE use not an issue?

[08timefortruth]

Because all us lefties and democrats are burned out druggies who still have more brains then Bush and friends ever did. There now does that make you feel better you poor little bushkin you.

[hopefulinpa]

First place it was the guy who does his taxes that made the mistake. I am very sure that he or any of the other senators don't do their own taxes.

[RobHunt]

Sure - the guy who prepared Daschle's taxes should have known that a servant paid by somebody ELSE was driving the guy around for three years!

Accountants don't LIVE with their clients. They rely on them to tell the TRUTH. Daschle just "forgot" to do that (in a bunch of cases.)