Post by Tim Collins on Feb 3, 2009 11:23:00 GMT -7
Daschle Withdraws
President Obama's choice to run the Department of Health And Human Services, former Senate Democratic leader Tom Daschle, has withdrawn from consideration for the job because of his initial failure to pay $128,000 in personal taxes.
The news comes on the same day that Mr. Obama's choice for chief performance officer withdrew from consideration for the job, also citing tax problems.
"Tom made a mistake, which he has openly acknowledged. He has not excused it, nor do I," President Obama said in a written statement. "I accept his decision with sadness and regret."
In a statement, Daschle announced that he had informed the president of his decision.
"...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. "Right now, I am not that leader."
Mr. Obama yesterday said he "absolutely" backed Daschle, while Press Secretary Robert Gibbs defended his tax errors, saying "nobody's perfect."
Now, the president said, "we must move forward."
Daschle last month paid off about $140,000 in back taxes and in interest tied to his use of a car and driver.
His withdrawal announcement comes just hours after Nancy Killefer, Mr. Obama's choice to become chief performance officer, withdrew her candidacy for that job, also citing tax issues. The D.C. government reportedly filed a $946.69 tax lien on Killefer's home over nonpayment of employment taxes on household help.
Mr. Obama's choice for Treasury Secretary, Timothy Geithner, also faced questions over his initial failure to pay $34,000 in income taxes, though he was eventually confirmed by the Senate.
President Obama's choice to run the Department of Health And Human Services, former Senate Democratic leader Tom Daschle, has withdrawn from consideration for the job because of his initial failure to pay $128,000 in personal taxes.
The news comes on the same day that Mr. Obama's choice for chief performance officer withdrew from consideration for the job, also citing tax problems.
"Tom made a mistake, which he has openly acknowledged. He has not excused it, nor do I," President Obama said in a written statement. "I accept his decision with sadness and regret."
In a statement, Daschle announced that he had informed the president of his decision.
"...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. "Right now, I am not that leader."
Mr. Obama yesterday said he "absolutely" backed Daschle, while Press Secretary Robert Gibbs defended his tax errors, saying "nobody's perfect."
Now, the president said, "we must move forward."
Daschle last month paid off about $140,000 in back taxes and in interest tied to his use of a car and driver.
His withdrawal announcement comes just hours after Nancy Killefer, Mr. Obama's choice to become chief performance officer, withdrew her candidacy for that job, also citing tax issues. The D.C. government reportedly filed a $946.69 tax lien on Killefer's home over nonpayment of employment taxes on household help.
Mr. Obama's choice for Treasury Secretary, Timothy Geithner, also faced questions over his initial failure to pay $34,000 in income taxes, though he was eventually confirmed by the Senate.