WASHINGTON Former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle has accepted President-elect Barack Obama's offer to be Secretary of Health and Human Services, Democratic officials said Wednesday.

The appointment has not been announced, but these officials said the job is Daschle's barring an unforeseen problem as Obama's team reviews the background of the South Dakota Democrat. One area of review will include the lobbying connections of his wife, Linda Hall Daschle, who has done representation mostly on behalf of airline-related companies over the years. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorize to discuss the matter publicly.

He must be the affirmative action hire.

Change you can believe in. Except for all the people they hire will be the same familiar faces.

Does anyone know if anything is his background that would qualify him for head of HHS?

Daschle is a good guy, this was a good pick.

More "change" from Osame.

"Except for all the people they hire will be the same familiar faces."
#3 | Posted by qcp at 2008-11-19 03:07 PM

I agree, appointing industry insiders has worked so well over the last seven years --- why start using experience as an excuse to hire!

Anyway, in other news, Neil Boortz was crying today about offensive speech being persecuted --- he neglected to include that ones ability in America to challenge offensive speakers to a duel, or more simply by stomping the shit out of them, has been criminalized. However, if those laws were rescinded and the one taking offense could with impunity kick the living shit out of the offensive speaker, or consequently, waited outside Boortzs studio door for some good ole time retribution, we would hear him on the other side of the argument whining away!
Either way, it would ultimately be lost on the caliber of listener this codger garners and regardless of position they would nod and drool in unison agreement!

Daschle is a good guy, this was a good pick.
#5 | Posted by danni

Maybe for another cabinet post, but I just read up on the guy and he has very little eperience dealing with, well, health and human services related issues. I'm actually not sure Daschle is qualified for this particular post. Any idea why he was picked for this post instead of, say, Treasury?

What about me?
Sincerely, Donna Shalala

Barack Obama, December 27, 2007: "The real gamble in this election is playing the same Washington game with the same Washington players and expecting a different result."

The fools were fooled.

CHANGE>>>>>>>wait for it....wait....wait....oops...m issed it! Damn!

"The fools were fooled."

#10 | Posted by slicksterWilly at 2008-11-19 04:05 PM

So you are saying it's more of the same?

Funny thing is, the same old same was just fine with you all, pre November!

Funny what an outcome of an election does to your "principle"!

Personally for me the outcome has produced what I was after --- no more Bush enablers!

We weren't the ones on the stump bullshitting the masses.

Wasn't Daschle married to a Clinton staffer? Can Obama do anything that doesn't involve the word "Clinton?"

Daschle wrote a book, "Critical: What We Can Do About the Health-Care Crisis", that came out early this year on this topic.

In that book he demonstrates a very strong understanding of the problems with the health care industry. And maybe more than anyone else, Daschle understands why previous attempts to address the failures fell short or never saw the light of day. He has some interesting ideas on addressing the issues, many are free market based.

Daschle views the problem as more political than policy. There is a great deal agreement on both sides of the aisle on solution and Daschle may be just the man to bring them together with his knowledge of both policy and politics.

"Change you can believe in. Except for all the people they hire will be the same familiar faces."

I'da damn sight rather have familiar, competent faces in the Obama administration than the previously unknown, unqualified cronies that Bush has tended to put into positions of power.

I know, I know - one of 'em did a heckuva job. The President said so.

This is one helluva fine cabinet. Very impressive. Room for all the greats. herm

Obama's Cabinet: No Clintonite left behind.

Why did he bother running for president then? I am sure that had she been elected president, Hillary would have not put as many Clintonites in her cabinet as Obama. This is the restauration of Clinton without the Clintons.

I thought I heard the word "change" batted around a lot during the campaign. I wonder when we are going to see it?

I thought I heard the word "change" batted around a lot during the campaign. I wonder when we are going to see it?

January 20.

"This is one helluva fine cabinet. Very impressive. Room for all the greats."

It is this "hall of fame" mentality that keeps the insiders in, and the outsiders, well, out. Lucky for you, Obama shares your vision.

I thought I heard the word "change" batted around a lot during the campaign. I wonder when we are going to see it?

January 20.

#20 | Posted by northguy3

Yeah, after that date the change will be a hard left. He'll make a Nascar track look like a straight line.

January 20.

I guess that's technically correct. It will change from a Bush administration to a Clinton admnistration again. I was hoping for a complete change

"This is one helluva fine cabinet. Very impressive. Room for all the greats."

* * * *

Uh huh. Time for a new Mt. Rushmore!

Seriously--when I think of "all the greats", Hillary Clinton and Tom Daschle spring immediately to mind. What an awesome team. And it's also helpful that they're both married to very powerful lobbyists--it'll save a lot of valuable time, figuring out the best way to spend taxpayer money.

This is one helluva fine cabinet. Very impressive. Room for all the greats. herm

#17 | Posted by herm

Yeah, it's a shame old Teddy Kennedy is ailing. He'd make a great Liquor Cabinet Secretary

FF Wisgod! LMAO.

"He'd make a great Liquor Cabinet Secretary

#25 | Posted by wisgod "

I would've picked him for Transportation, Cheezus.

Kind of makes all the bickering between the Obama and Clinton camps during the primaries seem a little silly.

Obama will be criticized by the right, whomever he picks for whichever of his cabinet positions. I knew for sure I would see a sarcastic "more of the same" post early on in this thread.

If he picked a new face unknown by many, it's "inexperience adding more inexperience."

If he picks a Dem who's been involved in politics for the past couple years or more, it's "another Dem with the Clinton connection."

Thanks for the info on Daschle's health care background, Hotsauce, that was what I was wondering about.

"Critical: What We Can Do About the Health-Care Crisis" - Was excellent and outlined some very positive changes for healthcare in this country. So Obama has simply given him the job of putting it into action. Obama simply said: "Put up or shut up Dacshle, here's your chance, fix it". A nice choice for the position.

right wingers are funny.

If obama picks nobodies then he's a fool. If he picks experienced folks, then he's a liar.

After 8 years of incompetent boobs...former clinton era people ARE change, you morons.

If he picked a new face unknown by many, it's "inexperience adding more inexperience."

If he picks a Dem who's been involved in politics for the past couple years or more, it's "another Dem with the Clinton connection."

Shit. Didn't see scrumplets post there.

You're both correct.

We weren't the ones on the stump bullshitting the masses.

#13 | Posted by wisgod at 2008-11-19 04:22 PM | Reply | Flag:

Apparently, given the outcome, most thought you were.

Daschel is a joke--he was rejected by the Dems when he was the Leader.

His wife is a lobbyist.

But that doesn't count for the one and his rules.

Isn't there anyone in America except the same retreads?

Isn't there anyone in America except the same retreads?

Says the two time bush II voter.

At least Clinton's presidency wasn't a near death blow to America. Stop voting.

Change YOU can believe in....

NOBAMA - pResident
Getto Mama - Worst Lady
Biden - Man of 1,000 identities

Eric Holder - Attorney General to be who helped free corporate fraud Marc Rich because his wife was a large donor to the Dem Party. Of course not a word of that was mentioned in the Washington Post article praising Holder, though there was plenty of mentions of the sins of the Bush Administration (well deserved). So I will call Holder Gonzalez the 2nd.

Tom Daschle - Sec of HHS... and a loser when he last ran for Sen of South Dakota. At least my Scandinavian Ancestors know what he is worth - cow manure.

Hillary Clinton - amazing how the Hillary haters have done a 180 degree turn at the command of The Messiah and now she will be accepted with open arms, along with Bill. What, no more Billary comments?

Rahm Emanuel - Chief of Staff and all around sleaze bag.

Janet Napolitano - Sec of Homeland Insecurity - This woman can't even keep Illegal Aliens out of Arizona and now she is in charge of keeping them out of the entire nation! Stay away from tall buildings and shopping malls for the next four years if you don't want to get blown up.

UAW President Ron Gettlefinger gets the finger from NOBama after drumming up the union vote for NOBama's election. Now the Dem Party will let the Big Three go bankrupt and all of those Michigan and Ohio voters will get their just reward for supporting the empty suit.

After giving the Dem Party the finger, Lieberman remains Chairman of Homeland Security Committee and Reid kisses him on both cheeks (after Joe pulls down his pants and bends over).

David Assholerod is appointed senior advisor, after all we have to keep Daley's hand on the pursestrings in The Messiah's Admin.

Greg Craig - White House Counsel

Chris Lu - Cabinet Secretary

Lisa Brown - Staff Secretary

NOT ONE of these people is a CHANGE of anything but the Party they are a member of.
Brown was Al Gore's VP Aide.
Craig was Teddy Kennedy's aide and defended Bill Clinton during his Impeachment hearings. He also defended Hinckley after he shot President Reagan. Nice guy. So he has been in DC for at least 35 years.
Lu is NOBama's schoolmate, law clerk for the IS 3rd Circuit of Appeals, then Sidley & Austin in DC, then for Henry Waxman until he went to work for John Jerry's 2004 campaign.

Just these first appointments represent 220 YEARS spent in Washington, not counting NOBama's four years. All are for minor positions except Sec's of State, HHS, and Homeland Security as well as the VP himself.

Yes, that is real CHANGE for sure...

Again: If obama picks people without experience he's an idiot and some starry eyed jimmy carter. If he picks those with adequate experience then they'll be people we've all seen before, and he's a liar for promoting "change".

What a nice little game you partisans have going. The guy isn't even president yet and he can't win no matter what.

Do us all a favor and stop pretending to make a rational point or argue any facts. If you hate Obama, just type "Obama sucks" and spare people like me the effort of responding.

It would be the nicest thing your ilk will have ever done for this country.

Here's the biggest 'change' of all . . .

Starting with Barack Obama on January 20, 2009, sane people will be running the government again.

Sanity! Don't you right wingers get it? SANITY

After the last 8 years, that's change enough for me.

Yes, that is real CHANGE for sure...

Shyguy,

I agree with you.

Obama has done nothing but chose politicians for his positions. Nothing will get done because they will all be worried about how they are viewed from the popular rolls.

I can tell ya this, if it continues with the same old politics and nothing changes with the lazy do nothing democrat party it will be a short 4 years and it will be hardluck for any qualified blackman to gain such a position.

America wants action, and if they don't get it, the party will be out for another 30 years.

I seem to recall that it was the Clinton administration and his "Clintonites" who . . .

presided over the longest period of peace-time economic expansion in American history, which included a balanced budget and a reported federal surplus. ~(Wikipedia)

Isn't that what we all want for our country?

I don't know what you right wingers are complaining about. This is a GOOD thing.

You can twist the stats anyway you want but clinton in all prudent reality of regular economic accounting standards did not come close to balancing the budget, it is only used for hacking political postering.

If the country is going to straighten up one needs to actually critique from reality and not from the political band stand.

MONEYWAR

I agree with you ~ sort of. It was all paper projections.

But I really don't see anything wrong with Obama using Clinton's people to reverse the Bush administration's disasterous economic and foreign policy decisions.

It's not exactly a giant leap of faith, you know.

He's bringing in the people who know how to get the job done.

You'd do the same thing if you were elected President.

Wouldn't you?

He's bringing in the people who know how to get the job done.

You'd do the same thing if you were elected President.

Obama is bringing in politicians which have done nothing but continue this country down the path of America's destruction. POLITICIANS and they certainly know how to run GOVERNING agencies with efficiency and leadership.

I would not choose one single politician, I would choose from people who are actually entrenched into the problems in reality and give them the authority to make the necessary changes to fix the problems while giving them the information in which I would like the direction to take.

Politicians is not going to get anything done because they are worried about their career and not actually fixing anything.

I would not choose one single politician,

Ah, moneywar...ever the realist.

"I would not choose one single politician, I would choose from people who are actually entrenched into the problems in reality and give them the authority to make the necessary changes to fix the problems while giving them the information in which I would like the direction to take."

Who you got in mind, Joe the Plumber?

MONEY

I'm only saying that with the global economy at critical mass, with red lights flashing all over the place, Obama needs people who can hit the ground running (I apologize for that cliche).

I really don't think anybody expects him to spend a couple years teaching fledglings how to fly in D.C. politics. The margin for error would be far too risky.

And yes, it is politics - ALL OF IT.

Here, there and all around the world. It's not realistic to think that Obama, as great as he is, has the ability to change the governance of the entire world.

To make changes, he has to work from the inside out.

Not from the outside in.

Who you got in mind, Joe the Plumber?

Yep, he knows so much!

What a dork.

Twin,

Politicians will not hit the ground running, they will base their decisions on the future careers within political arena. This is not what we need.

Cabinet members are best if they are experts within the field and have strong leadership skills to cut through the political pandering of politicians and fix the problems at hand.

Obama has stated line by line evaluations of our spending, using politicians is not going to do crap with that.

Obama needs people who can hit the ground running (I apologize for that cliche).
Yes, that way they can be sure to cover up all of the issues they created during their earlier tenures. See Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. See auto industry handouts. Daschles wife works for a huge lobbying firm specializing in health care issues. Does his appointment mean she will quit?
Nothing is changing under Obama except the money will be transfered from earners to non-earners. But we all know this is the real change most of the Obama supporters were after.

Barack Obama, December 27, 2007: "The real gamble in this election is playing the same Washington game with the same Washington players and expecting a different result."

MONEY

Well, maybe they won't leave skidmarks. Which is a good thing considering the complexity of all that's going on.

But I do believe that they'll take Obama and his goals seriously. Of course, yes, it stands to reason that their own political fortunes will be enhanced, so the drive to succeed will be enormous.

That's a win-win-win situation.

Obama looks good, they look good and America is the beneficiary. What's wrong with that?

"that way they can be sure to cover up all of the issues they created during their earlier tenures. See Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae."

Lehman Brothers was leveraged 100-1.

Just to see how tethered you are to reality: which was the big problem, the "100", or the "1"...?

Although not a registered lobbyist, Mr. Daschle, a South Dakota Democrat who was party leader in the Senate, provides strategic advice to the firm's clients about how to influence government policy or actions.

"If obama picks nobodies then he's a fool. If he picks experienced folks, then he's a liar."

Nobody's ripping him for choosing experienced people. There are ways to get experience without working for Clinton or being married to him or his staffers, something both you and Obama appear not to know.

"If obama picks nobodies then he's a fool. If he picks experienced folks, then he's a liar."

#31 | Posted by Alexandrite

We'll determine that when he starts picking someone other than Washington insiders.

He just picked Janet Napolitano for Homeland Security. She is not a Washington Insider.

Kind of makes all the Obamites here hammering Corky during the primaries for wanting "Bush, Clinton, Bush, Clinton" seem really, really silly. Hypocritical, too.

Lehman Brothers was leveraged 100-1.
Using bad loans purchased by Fannie mae and Freddie Mac.

"Using bad loans purchased by Fannie mae and Freddie Mac."

And when did Republicans, in control for almost all of 1994-2006 when the vast majority of the problem was building, propose changing this?

"And when did Republicans, in control for almost all of 1994-2006"

#59 | Posted by Danforth

Republicans were in control from 1994 to 2000?

What was that about The Reagan Revolution vs. The Tip O'Neill Compromise?

"What was that about The Reagan Revolution vs. The Tip O'Neill Compromise?"

Okay...let's just concentrate on the Bush 8 years, especially since the housing bubble began post-2001.

The Bush Bailout?

"Okay...let's just concentrate on the Bush 8 years, especially since the housing bubble began post-2001.

The Bush Bailout?"

#61 | Posted by Danforth

Good boy.

Be consistent.

The Bush Bankruptcy?

Change you can believe in. Except for all the people they hire will be the same familiar faces.

#3 | Posted by qcp

The more things change, the more they remain the same.

I guess we could call the president elect, osame.

The Bush Breakdown?

The Dubya Destruction?

The Shrub Shithole?

Yawn.

The Bush Boondoggle

Because Boondoggle is more fun to say.

I'm leaning toward The Shrub Shithole.

More apt.

And when did Republicans, in control for almost all of 1994-2006 when the vast majority of the problem was building, propose changing this?

"These two entities Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are not facing any kind of financial crisis," said Representative Barney Frank of Massachusetts, the ranking Democrat on the Financial Services Committee. "The more people exaggerate these problems, the more pressure there is on these companies, the less we will see in terms of affordable housing."

Representative Melvin L. Watt, Democrat of North Carolina, agreed.

"I don't see much other than a shell game going on here, moving something from one agency to another and in the process weakening the bargaining power of poorer families and their ability to get affordable housing," Mr. Watt said.

Danforth,

If I hadn't lost so much money I would laugh at you.

"If I hadn't lost so much money I would laugh at you."

I told my clients to run for the hills in January. I sold out a lot in November and January, so I haven't suffered half the losses the market has. Still, I should have taken more of my own advice....

"the ranking Democrat on the Financial Services Committee."

That was said in 2003, when Frank was the ranking minority member of the majority-Republican committee, the one chaired by a Republican, with the agenda set by a Republican, and populated with enough Republicans to pass anything at will.

ah yes the poster boy of the republican revolution...
( that has hit just a 'momentary setback')

this is more of the "CHANGE" that we heard about for months

just like the eric holder CHANGE and clintoninistas in the white house...

pretty ironic

has to be appointed cause he sure couldnt get elected

has to be appointed cause he sure couldnt get elected

#74 | Posted by bushlovertwo

Well, he got elected to the House of Representatives 4 times and the Senate 3 times, so I think he stacks up pretty well there.

and that was HOW long ago???

he is the epitimy of a wahington bearuocrat forgetting about WHERE he came from and the people who sent him there and to be sure that list is a real example of bipartisan because politicians of all sides make that same mistake

and that was HOW long ago???

4 years.

And geez, are you not even TRYING anymore?

"he is the epitimy of a wahington bearuocrat"

hey library computers dont have spell check

they expect you to walk all the way over THERE>>>and look in a friggin dictionary]

can you imagine?????

Those pointing out that Obama's cabinet would have drawn rightie fire no matter what say it better than I could. So far his choices have been impeccable. (BLT might say impeckable.) So far they seem to be distinguished public servants who put people first. That's why we elected Obama. herm

There is no CHANGE in the White House except the color of the skin of the President.

Same old Washington cronies just grabbing more power. Obama is such a POS liar.

it's just so encouraging seeing all the usual rightwing suspects make asses of themselves, it makes me feel that God is in his heaven and all is as it should be.

None of you really give a flying fuck about the country or who may be or not be the best person for a certain position, you just want to be heard. Daschle is a great pick for the job. Suggest someone better, please.

Obama picks daschund fer the post of WH puppy?

Awwww, that's sweet!

Sorry, wot's that?

Daschle?

Fer HHS?

Ummm, that's good too.

Not as cute as a puppy but definitely a good pick.

Be Well.

/Posting during the commercial break.

'Obama picks Daschle for HHS post".

ANOTHER RETREAD!

thats right and lets also remember this holder thing

he was an aide to JANET RENO...one of the worst ever and I also want to know what role he played in the GOVERNMENT kIDNAPPING OF elian gonzales with thier Weapons drawn on this little boy hiding in the closet??

or maybe the waco surge as well?

and of course the central american terrorists who are now back at work to kill us because he helped get them their pardon....

but that doesnt make a damn to people here because its an obama pick

and word from andrea mitchell this am says that hillary was asked and she HAS ACCEPTED The post of secty of state....

AND we heard day and night about being afraid of a third bush term IF mccain won

and whAT ARE we getting

a THIRD clinton term

MEMO TO ALL INTERNS>....WATCH OUT FOR A horny man on the loose in the state department

Ah, nothing like change we can believe in. Yes Tom Daschle is just the kind of 20+ year inside the beltway politician that gonna bring about these changes.

Looks like Obama has pissed on his change believers again.

The "Fresh Thinking" and "Fresh Ideas" come from the top - President-Elect Obama.

A President sets the tone and policy of government, as well as directing government department heads to do his bidding when policy decisions are made by him after considering advice and information provided to him. We'll have an actual 'decider' in the Oval Office.

I'm glad he is appointing experienced hands. We need it after the disaster of the last 8 years under a President who didn't seem to view competence and positive results as a plus (and most likely didn't lead the government - appearing disinterested at meetings)