Daschle Withdraws Name for HHS Secretary

Thomas Daschle, President Obama's choice to be secretary of health and human services, withdrew his nomination today, citing the distractions that followed his failure to pay $146,000 in taxes in recent years. Daschle, in a statement, said being chosen for the post had been "one of the signal honors of an improbable career." "But 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. "Right now, I am not that leader." Daschle had been appointed to two posts -- both the HHS secretary and the health-care czar, with an office at the White House. He will not serve in either job, officials said. Sen Richard Durbin (IL), the Senate Democratic whip, said the withdrawal could be a serious setback for health-care reform, because of Daschle's unusually strong legislative background and long interest in the issue.