Even though Obama has taken office, it seems that the appointments to prominent cabinets are still going on. And today, in a unexpected turn of events, former US Senate Majority Leader and current Senator Tom Daschle (D-SD) has withdrawn his candidacy for the office of Secretary of the Health and Human Services (a seat currently held by Charlie Johnson).
This came as a bit of a surprise for me, because I had known that his time spent as Senate Majority Leader, and his general outspoken nature would have made him a favorite for the job. he also was one of the first prominent Democrats to come forward and endorse Obama, a while ago in the Presidential Campaign. But what I have to admire is the reason that Daschle gave as his cause of withdrawal, which is his belated payment of over $128,000 in taxes. Even though tax evasion is a crime, many tax evaders in US Politics have gotten away scot-free, the most recent example being Tom Geitner who got appointed to the post of Treasury Secretary last week regardless of the fact that he was facing tax evasion for his failure to file income taxes for over 6 years. (irony?)
Daschle has an impressive record as a member of the House of Representatives and as a Senator. I personally must say I am not very happy about his withdrawal of candidacy because I believe that he is the best pick for the job, and yet I am satisfied by how democratically this case was handled, and by how his case was not swept under the rug as it would have been done if it were any other prominent politician.
President Obama said in an interview today with NBC Brian Williams that he was saddened by the loss of such a good man that he personally believed would have done a good job, but justice is justice and this man committed a crime and is paying for it now.
“I appointed these folks. I think they are outstanding people. I think Tom Daschle, as an example, could have led this health care effort, a difficult effort, better than just about anybody. But as he acknowledged, it was a mistake. I don’t think it was intentional on his part, but it was a serious mistake. He owned up to it and ultimately made a decision that we couldn’t afford the distraction.”
Good move Mr. President, democracy will always prevail.
News Article; http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28994296/
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