Former US Senate Majority leader Tom Daschle has stunned Washington insiders by suddenly withdrawing his nomination from Health and Human Services secretary over revelations he did not pay nearly $150,000 in back taxes.
Daschle had apologized earlier in the day for what he termed an “error” and Barack Obama remained vocally loyal to his nomination. Most Senators and political pundits believed he would pull through the nomination process, as Timothy Geithner had already done. “I’m in shock. I didn’t know that. I don’t know what happened,” said Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-California. “I talked to him… the night before last and he showed no signs of withdrawing.”
However, some cracks began showing as the day wore on. Republican Sen. Jim DeMint called on Obama to withdraw Daschle’s name from running, becoming the first Senator to do so. In an op-ed piece, The New York Times also called on Daschle to resign and for Obama to find another, “less blemished” candidate.
Daschle’s resignation comes hours after Nancy Killefer took her name out of the running for performance czar because of her own tax issues.
“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 in a statement. “Right now, I am not that leader, and will not be a distraction.
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