CNN

Tom Daschle will serve on the commission that will select this year's White House Fellows.

WASHINGTON (CNN) - Months after withdrawing his name from cabinet consideration, Tom Daschle has finally landed a position with the Obama administration.

The White House announced Wednesday the former Senate Majority Leader would serve on the commission that will select this year's White House Fellows, along with the president's sister Maya Soetoro-Ng and 26 others. The fellows chosen will be given the the chance to work in the federal government and take part in discussions with leaders in the public and private sectors.

"The men and women of this commission embody what makes the White House Fellows program so special," Obama said. "These leaders are diverse, non-partisan, and committed to mentoring our next generation of public servants. I'm confident that they will select a class of White House Fellows that demonstrate extraordinary leadership, strong character, and a deep commitment to serving their country."

Daschle was under consideration for Secretary of Health and Human Services, but withdrew his name amid controversy over his failure to pay certain taxes.

Over 1,000 young people applied for the fellowship program. The commission will convene this week to pick 11-19 winners out of 30 finalists. Former Secretary of State General Colin Powell and retired U.S. Army General Wesley Clark are past participants in the program.

Cindy McCain traveled to Rwanda last year for ONE.

(CNN) – Cindy McCain and former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle will accept an award for the global anti-poverty group ONE in Washington Tuesday.

The organization is being given the Center for Global Development’s “Commitment to Development Award” for its outreach work during the 2008 presidential campaign. Daschle, along with former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, chaired the group’s campaign-linked efforts last year.

McCain, wife of Republican presidential nominee John McCain, traveled to Rwanda last July for ONE.

Former Sen. Tom Daschle's withdrawal may be a setback for the Obama administration's heath care agenda.

WASHINGTON (CNN) - Former Sen. Tom Daschle's decision to withdraw his nomination to head the Department of Health and Human Services has observers buzzing about what the loss means to President Obama's health care agenda.

Daschle had been fighting to save his nomination after facing controversy regarding his tax records - filing amended tax returns and paying more than $140,000 in back taxes and interest - and questions over his work in a field that some consider lobbying.

Obama stood by Daschle's side despite the criticism until Tuesday when the former Senate majority leader formally withdrew his bid for HHS secretary. The president said he accepted Daschle's decision with "sadness and regret."

White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said the health care crunch is more important than any one politician.

"I don't think the effort for health care slows down, and I think Daschle and others would agree the effort for health care is greater than any individual," Gibbs said at a press briefing Tuesday.

But Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nevada, said finding a new nominee quickly was imperative.

"You have 50 million people with no insurance, and we need to step forward on health care for the American people," Reid said.

So how does the prospect of a sweeping health care overhaul look now that Daschle won't spearhead it?

Full story

President Barack Obama is interviewed by CNN's Anderson Cooper on Tuesday.

WASHINGTON (CNN) - President Barack Obama on Tuesday admitted he made a mistake in handling the nomination of Tom Daschle as his Health and Human Services secretary, saying Daschle's tax problems sent a message that the politically powerful are treated differently than average people.

Watch: Pres. Obama one-on-one

Daschle, the former Democratic leader in the U.S. Senate, withdrew earlier Tuesday as news that he failed to pay some taxes in the past continued to stir opposition on Capitol Hill.

"I think I screwed up," Obama said in an interview with CNN's Anderson Cooper. "And, I take responsibility for it and we're going to make sure we fix it so it doesn't happen again."

Full story

Former Senate colleagues of Tom Daschle said Tuesday they were shocked by his sudden decision to withdraw from consideration as President Obama’s Secretary of Health and Human Services.

(CNN) – Former Senate colleagues of Tom Daschle said Tuesday they were shocked by his sudden decision to withdraw from consideration as President Obama’s Secretary of Health and Human Services.

"I'm in shock. I didn't know that. I don't know what happened," said California Sen. Diane Feinstein. "I talked to him the night before last, and he showed no signs of withdrawing."

Some, like Finance Committee Chair Max Baucus, said they still believed Daschle would have survived the nomination process. "I was a little stunned,” said the Montana senator. Baucus and the rest of the Finance Committee met privately with Daschle last night to address the questions over his failure to pay some taxes. “I thought he was going to get confirmed. I thought - he's a good man and I thought he'd be confirmed. I'm surprised."

Listen: Feinstein 'in shock'

Read the rest of this entry »

A source said the development had been very difficult for Daschle.

(CNN) – A Daschle ally familiar with his thinking was not aware Tuesday of any White House pressure on the former Senate Majority Leader to withdraw his nomination.

Was Daschle pushed? “Things don’t work that cleanly,” said the source, who could not say for sure whether any senators may have made appealed to Daschle to end the confirmation process.

The issue was not whether Daschle could “survive” - it was what that process “would do to Obama” and his health care reform and economic agenda. It’s a question of the “price of that confirmation.”

The source confirms that Daschle read the Tuesday New York Times editorial urging him to withdraw from consideration, but would not say whether that might have played a part in his decision. “Tom has been a politician for a very long time,” says the Democratic source. “He understands this town. He made a mistake, he apologized, but timing matters. There was a critical mass building” - questions about meaning of Obama’s ethics standards.

Watch: Ken Rubin from NPR's instant analysis

Read the rest of this entry »

Daschle has withdrawn his nomination to lead the Health and Human Services Department.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – Former Sen. Tom Daschle has asked President Obama to withdraw his nomination for Secretary of Health and Human Services, according to a written statement from the White House.

“This morning, Tom Daschle asked me to withdraw his nomination for Secretary of Health and Human Services," President Obama said in the statement. "I accept his decision with sadness and regret."

In his own statement, Daschle said he did not want to be a "distraction."

"If 30 years of exposure to the challenges inherent in our system has taught me anything, it has taught me that this work will require a leader who can operate with the full faith of Congress and the American people, and without distraction," Daschle said.

Watch: Robert Gibbs answer questions about Daschle

Full Obama and Daschle statements after the jump

Read the rest of this entry »

Daschle met with the Senate Finance Committee Tuesday.

(CNN) – As Tom Daschle makes his case to remain President Obama's choice to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, the nation's leading liberal editorial page is calling for the former Senate Majority Leader to withdraw his nomination.

In Tuesday's lead New York Times editorial, the paper's editors write Daschle's failure to pay close to $130,000 in taxes for a car and driver service over three years is too big a mistake for Democrats on the Senate Finance Committee to overlook as they consider his nomination.

The paper's editorial board particularly takes issue with the fact that Daschle has said he identified the unpaid taxes last June, but did not pay them until he was nominated for the top post at the Department of Health and Human Services.

"Only after the Obama transition team flagged unrelated tax issues that would require filing amended returns did Mr. Daschle and his accountant address the need to report the personal use value of the car service — more than $255,000 over three years — as income," the board writes.

Earlier: Daschle 'deeply embarrassed' over tax issues

The editorial also criticizes Daschle for generating a sizeable income from health-related industries while working in the private sector. The former South Dakota senator has advised UnitedHealth Group, serves as a trustee of the Mayo Clinic, and has been paid "hundreds of thousands of dollars for speeches to interest groups, including those representing health insurance plans, medical equipment distributors and pharmacy boards," according to the Times.

Read the rest of this entry »

The Senate Finance Committee's top Republican, Sen. Chuck Grassley, said he had concerns about the Obama administration's vetting process.

WASHINGTON (CNN) - Immediately before the Senate Finance Committee began its closed-door meeting to consider former Sen. Tom Daschle’s failure to pay certain taxes, the panel's top Republican said he had concerns about the Obama administration's vetting process.

“I have a high level of concern about how it looks to the public,” Sen. Chuck Grassley said of Daschle's situation. “I don’t have a level of concern about how it affects his ability to be HHS Secretary.”

He said he’s most concerned about the vetting process, even making a sarcastic comment about President Obama otherwise being a “genius.”

“What bothers me is a President who wanted to get his administration off and running even before he’s sworn in. What’s wrong with the vetting process? It shows a little bit of shortcoming for someone who otherwise is a genius, you know, about management capability.”

Read the rest of this entry »

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus released his first public statement on Tom Daschle’s nomination Monday.

(CNN) - Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus released his first public statement on Tom Daschle’s nomination Monday, laying out his panel’s plan to investigate questions swirling around the embattled Health and Human Services nominee.

“The ability to advance meaningful health reform is my top priority in confirming a Secretary of Health and Human Services, and I remain convinced that Senator Daschle would be an invaluable and expert partner in this effort,” said the Montana senator in a statement. “I am eager to move forward together.”

Daschle sent Baucus and ranking Republican Chuck Grassley a letter earlier Monday saying that he is “deeply embarrassed” for a series of errors which include failing to report $15,000 in charitable donations, unreported car service and more than $80,000 in unreported income from consulting. The former Senate Majority Leader recently filed amended tax returns, and paid more than $140,000 in back taxes and interest for 2005-2007.

Baucus said the Finance Committee, which is responsible for moving Daschle’s nomination to the full Senate, will release the final version of a statement on the nominee’s “vetting issues” as soon as remaining issues in the draft version are resolved. Sens. John Kerry and Patrick Leahy have spoken out on Daschle’s behalf.

Daschle says he is 'deeply embarassed' over tax issues.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – President Barack Obama's choice to oversee health care reform in his administration expressed regret Monday to Senate leaders over tax issues that are dogging his nomination.

Former Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle, D-South Dakota, said he is "deeply embarrassed and disappointed by the errors that required me to amend my tax returns," in a letter dated Monday to the senior Democrat and Republican on the Senate Finance Committee that was provided to CNN.

"I apologize for the errors and profoundly regret that you have had to devote time to them," Daschle said in the letter to Finance Chairman Max Baucus, D-Montana, and Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa.

Daschle has been nominated by Obama to be secretary of Health and Human Services.

A committee memo obtained Friday by CNN indicates committee members want to discuss the use of a car and driver that Daschle didn't disclose on his income taxes, and nonpayment of taxes on more than $80,000 he earned in consulting fees after leaving the Senate.

Daschle emphasized to Baucus and Grassley in the letter that "My mistakes were unintentional."

But two senior Democrats, both members of the Senate Finance Committee, have made public statements of support for Daschle despite his tax troubles.

"Tom Daschle has dedicated his life to public service. I have every confidence that he will be a great Secretary of Health and Human Services," said Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont. "I look forward to working with him to finally deliver real health care reform for the American people."

Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts said he considers the matter resolved. "Months ago, Tom personally and proactively addressed the taxes issue and took all necessary steps to correct his innocent error," Kerry said. "I've known Tom Daschle for years and he is a man of great character and integrity who will do a superb job in helping us fix our healthcare system. I look forward to his speedy confirmation."

WASHINGTON (CNN) - Four prominent Democratic Senators spoke out Saturday in support of former Sen. Tom Daschle, whose tax records have come under scrutiny as he pursues a Cabinet position in the administration of President Barack Obama.

Obama nominated the 61-year-old South Dakotan to be secretary of Health and Human Services, and the Senate Finance committee - which will vote on the nomination before the full Senate votes on whether to confirm him - is scheduled to meet Monday to discuss the nomination.

A committee memo obtained Friday by CNN indicates committee members want to discuss the use of a car and driver that Daschle didn't disclose on his income taxes, and nonpayment of taxes on more than $80,000 he earned in consulting fees after leaving the Senate.

Sen. John Kerry, D-Massachusetts, the senior member of the finance committee, released a statement Saturday saying, "Months ago, Tom personally and proactively addressed the taxes issue and took all necessary steps to correct his innocent error."

Read the rest of this entry »

Former Sen. Tom Daschle answers questions during a confirmation hearing January 8.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – The Senate Finance committee will meet Monday to review the tax records of former Sen. Tom Daschle, President Obama's nominee for secretary of health and human services.

According to a committee memo obtained Friday by CNN, the group's concerns include the use of a limousine and driver that Daschle didn't disclose on his income taxes and nonpayment of taxes on more than $80,000 he earned in consulting fees after leaving the senate.

Daschle also apparently once filed a tax form listing charitable donations to organizations that did not qualify for a deduction, according to the memo.

A Democratic source told CNN that Daschle has since paid what he owed. None of the tax issues appeared to have occurred while he was serving in the senate.

Full story

Daschle is Obama's choice to be Health and Humans Services Secretary.

WASHINGTON (CNN) - The Senate Finance committee will meet Monday to review the tax records of former Sen. Tom Daschle, President Obama's nominee for secretary of Health and Human Services who, according to sources, didn't pay taxes on a car and driver he had been loaned.

A Democratic source familiar with the situation told CNN Daschle was loaned a car and driver by a wealthy friend and failed to disclose it on his income taxes, as he should have.

Daschle has since paid what he owed, the source said.

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said that Daschle had brought the issues to the committee's attention himself and that President Barack Obama said is "confident" he will be confirmed.

– CNN's Dana Bash and Gloria Borger contributed to this report

Daschle's confirmation hearing is underway.

WASHINGTON (CNN)– The opening gavel came down on President-elect Barack Obama's cabinet confirmation hearings Thursday morning as Health and Human Services secretary nominee Tom Daschle appeared before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.

Daschle, a national co-chair of Obama's presidential campaign, represented South Dakota in the Senate from 1987 to 2005. He served as the Senate Majority Leader from 2001 to 2003.

The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee is chaired by Sen. Ted Kennedy.

In a bipartisan gesture, Daschle was formally introduced to the committee by another South Dakota Democrat - Sen. Tim Johnson - and former Republican Senate leader and 1996 presidential nominee Bob Dole.

Watch the event on CNN.com/live.

Tom Daschle and John Thune were once political adversaries, but time seems to have paved over the bitterness as the two were spotted shaking hands and patting each other on the back.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – Former Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle returned “home” Tuesday to the Senate floor and stood alongside a bitter adversary to watch his longtime friend and South Dakota colleague Tim Johnson be sworn-in for a third term.

Sen. Johnson, who suffered a devastating stroke, was flanked by Daschle and Republican Sen. John Thune, who defeated the Democratic leader by a razor thin 51% to 49 % margin in what can be accurately described as a bitter contest. Daschle was first elected to Congress as a House member in 1978 and successfully ran for the Senate in 1986.

But time seems to have paved over the bitterness. As Thune and Daschle departed the Senate floor, the two former adversaries shook hands and patted each other on the back.

Daschle returns to Capitol Hill on Thursday for the Senate Health, Education, Labor, & Pensions Committee hearing on his nomination to be the next secretary of Health and Human Services.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, center, is hoping he does not suffer the same fate as his predecessor former Sen. Tom Daschle.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nevada, clearly remembers what happened to his predecessor in 2004. That is the year when congressional Republicans aimed their fire at then-Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle, D-South Dakota, and helped defeat him.

In the 2004 election cycle, Republicans coined a new phrase that they said described obstruction in Washington: “Daschle Democrats.” The constant pounding by the GOP, President Bush’s landslide victory in South Dakota, and a strong candidate in John Thune, contributed to Daschle’s defeat. He had been in Congress since 1979, first as a congressman and then as a senator and eventually the Senate Democratic leader.

Reid succeeded Daschle as the senior Democrat in the Senate.

Even though the 2008 election is still fresh in everyone’s minds, Reid is looking ahead to 2010, hoping that what the GOP did to Daschle in 2004 is not repeated in two years.

Read the rest of this entry »

Obama announced the pick of Daschle Thursday.

CHICAGO, Illinois (CNN) - President-elect Barack Obama picked former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle for two important roles Thursday - secretary of Health and Human Services and director of the White House Office of Health Reform.

"He will be responsible not just for implementing our health care plan. He will also be the lead architect of that plan," Obama said, calling Daschle "one of America's foremost health care experts."

"If we want to overcome our economic challenges, we must also finally address our health care challenge," Obama said. Appearing at a press conference with Obama, Daschle said it is "so exciting" to take on the dual role not just to implement reform "but helping to generate it."

"We have the most expensive health care system in the world, but are not the healthiest nation in the world," Daschle said.

"Our growing costs are unsustainable, and the plight of the uninsured is unconscionable," he said.
"Addressing our health care challenges will not only mean healthier and longer lives for millions, it will also make American companies more competitive, address the cause of half of all of our personal bankruptcies and foreclosures and help pull our economy out of its current tailspin."

Full story

Obama is set to announce his choice of Daschle Thursday.

(CNN) - Former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle will be announced as President-elect Barack Obama’s nominee for Health and Human Services Secretary Thursday, according to a Democratic source.

CNN had previously reported Daschle was the likely choice for the post.

Daschle is looking forward to his job in the Obama administration.

WASHINGTON (CNN) - Former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle told CNN Thursday that he is excited about the possibility of heading Health and Human Services in an Obama administration where he would be a point person in helping to reform the nation’s healthcare system.

Daschle, a close advisor to President-elect Barack Obama, is expected to be nominated for this Cabinet-level position if he passes the vetting process. His top priority as HHS secretary would be healthcare, one of Obama’s signature policy issues during the campaign.

"I hope to have the plan enacted by next year, and then it will take several years to implement,” said Daschle, as he waited to board a plane in Washington, DC bound for Obama’s hometown of Chicago.

When asked if the U.S., in this current economic climate, could afford to reform the healthcare system, Daschle said it is imperative.

“We can't afford not to do it,” he said. “If we do nothing, we'll be paying twice as much on healthcare in 10 years as we do today."

Daschle served as Democratic leader in the Senate from 1995 until he lost reelection in 2004. Representing South Dakota, Daschle was first elected as a congressman in 1978 and served in the House until he was elected to the Senate in 1986.

Daschle recently authored a book on healthcare titled “Critical: What We Can Do About the Health-Care Crisis.”