What he says happened …
Administration sources insist this was Daschle’s decision alone.
That was certainly the line from Robert Gibbs at the podium TuesdayA source close to Daschle says “he didn’t have the stomach for the fight.”
The double-barreled combination of a blistering New York Times editorial and a front-page story raising questions about President Obama’s commitment to ethics reform in Washington convinced Daschle he had to go.Already depressed by the recent discovery that his younger brother is stricken with brain cancer, Daschle wasn’t prepared for another week of Senate hazing and damaging headlines.
And, he didn’t want to hurt his friend, Barack Obama.
Late Update: On the other hand, this passage, from a little further down in George’s piece strikes me as more than a tad overwrought …
As sad as he and Daschle’s network of White House friends are about his withdrawal, they know how much damage this has done to Obama’s reputation. The Administration was appearing to set one standard for its allies, and another for the rest of Washington.
Has the Democratic Governors Association been subpoenaed as part of the federal criminal investigation into the pay-to-play allegations in New Mexico that derailed the Richardson nomination?
The DGA declined to tell the Albuquerque newspaper, so we gave it a try. The group — which is currently chaired by Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer (and whose executive director happens to be Tom Daschle’s son Nathan) — basically stiffed us, too. Zack Roth reports.
Just heard Mitch McConnell
again in his senate press conference. Let’s make sure we understand the Republican position. Tax cuts are far less efficient as stimulus than spending. In other words, they save fewer jobs. But McConnell apparently wants all tax cuts and no spending. He didn’t seem that extreme even a few days ago. But now that’s where he is. In other words, no jobs bill.
So how many millions of Americans have to lose their jobs for Mitch McConnell’s political gambit?
“I wish Tom Daschle had not decided to withdraw his nomination for Secretary of Health and Human Services. While Tom’s decision is a reminder of his loyalty to President Obama and his determination not to be a distraction, this was no ordinary appointment and today is not a good day for the cause of health care reform. Tom brought a unique level of legislative skill and experience to this position in addition to his passion to achieve affordable health care for every American. Tom made it very clear he’d made a mistake and he took responsibility for it. I believe that when the smoke clears and the frenzy has ended, no one will believe that this unwitting mistake should have erased thirty years of selfless public service and remarkable legislative skill and expertise on health care. I know Tom Daschle well. I know his integrity and I respect his heart for this cause, and I know Tom will find other ways to contribute to this central mission.”