Daschle Faces Grilling on Charity Gifts, Apologizes on Taxes

Kansas gov says she's had no meetings on joining the Obama Cabinet

(AP) - Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, mentioned as a top candidate for health secretary, said today she has not talked with President Barack Obama about joining his Cabinet. "There really isn't anything to tell. I haven't had any meetings about the position," Sebelius, 60, said in an interview with the AP during the winter meeting of the National Governors Association. More»

Major issues in the wake of Daschle's withdrawal

(NEWSER) - Tom Daschle gave up his nomination for Health and Human Services Secretary, raising a host of questions, Matthew Cooper writes at Talking Points Memo. Did an issue besides tax problems arise? Was the decision really Daschle’s, or the administration’s? Some other big issues:

1. How many Obama nominees will be felled by tax issues? If Geithner’s $34,000 is OK but Daschle’s $140,000 isn’t, where is that line?
2. Beyond heading the HHS, Daschle was billed by Obama as the pointman for the overhaul of the health care system. Who will lead the charge now?

Tax flub claims another Obama nominee

(NEWSER) - Tom Daschle withdrew today from consideration for secretary of health and human services over controversial unpaid taxes, the Boston Globe reports. Daschle had retained the support of the Obama administration despite the flub, but quit seeking the post so as not to be a distraction, he said. President Obama regretfully accepted Daschle’s decision, the White House said. More»

Former senator is well-connected in Obama administration

(NEWSER) - Nobody is wired into Washington like Tom Daschle. If he survives the controversy, he’ll enter office with a web of allies and former aides inside the Beltway and the White House, the Washington Post reports. During Daschle’s 30 years in Congress, including 10 as Senate Democratic leader, a cadre of acolytes formed. “This is notable for the breadth and scope and number,” a former Clinton staffer said. More»

Tax, conflict-of-interest issues should disqualify ex-Senate leader

(NEWSER) - In the wake of revelations about his tax oversights and industry ties, the New York Times is calling on Tom Daschle to step aside and let Barack Obama pick a “less-blemished” Health and Human Services secretary. Daschle’s $128,000 tax lapse dwarfs even Tim Geithner’s. “The American tax system depends heavily on voluntary compliance,” the editorial argues, and waving through two tax evaders “would send a terrible message.” More»