Daschle withdraws from HHS nomination

Consumer Reports News: February 03, 2009 01:37 PM

Tom Daschle, President Barack Obama's choice to run the Health and Human Services department, withdrew from the nomination process after his past tax problems became a "distraction."

The former Senate majority leader released a statement explaining his withdrawal:

...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. Right now, I am not that leader, and will not be a distraction…

The president released his own statement, accepting Daschle's "decision with sadness and regret":

... Tom made a mistake, which he has openly acknowledged. He has not excused it, nor do I. But that mistake, and this decision, cannot diminish the many contributions Tom has made to this country from his years in the military to his decades of public service.

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Daschle withdraws from HHS nomination

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