White House adviser David Axelrod just briefed reporters outside the Senate chamber on the withdrawal of Tom Daschle’s nomination as health secretary. Axelrod attributed the decision to pull out to Daschle — not anyone within the administration — and suggested that the news came as a surprise to the president, especially coming one day after Democratic senators stood behind their former leader.
“He called [the White House] this morning” to withdraw from consideration, Axelrod said. “I think he made the decision this morning.” The
As a former senator, Axelrod added, Daschle “had a clear picture that there was going to be a delay” in his confirmation after revelations that he make a late payment of more than $100,000 in back taxes on a free car and driver as well as other benefits.
Asked about the stimulus bill pending before Congress, Axelrod offered a noticeably temperate endorsement of the legislation as it stands.
“Obviously, no piece of legislation is perfect. This is a very complicated one … you can point to any number of small things” to have concerns with, he said before touting the larger need for an economic recovery bill.
