Daschle, Killefer withdraw nominations

President Barack Obama had a tough day Tuesday after two of his nominees withdrew because of tax problems.

Sen. Tom Daschle withdrew his nomination for health and human services secretary and Nancy Killefer removed herself from consideration as deputy chief performance officer.

Timothy Geithner also had tax issues but was eventually confirmed as treasury secretary.

One might surmise that the Obama vetting team did not check tax records, or relied on statements given by the nominees.



FOXNews
Obama Admits Embarrassing Day for Administration
ABC News - 3 hours ago
By LAUREN SHER President Obama acknowledged that it has been an embarrassing day for his administration, taking responsibility for three of his high-level nominees' withdrawing their names because of tax troubles.
Video: White House: Obama Confident in Vetting Process AssociatedPress



Comment by Cliff Kincaid President, America’s Survival, Inc

Obama seeks public guidance on health care

President-elect Barack Obama's transition team will look for ideas in public health forums around the country.

Former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, Obama's choice for secretary of health and human services, will lead Obama's effort to reform the public health system.

Some 8500 meetings have been held since Dec. 15, and the Obama team will post information gleaned from these events on the transition website, change.gov.




MLive.com
Obama team seeks public input on health care
The Associated Press - 5 hours ago
So President-elect Barack Obama's transition team has set up a new round of public sessions it hopes will translate into real changes this time. ...
Santa Cruz residents send Obama health care ideas San Jose Mercury News
Obama's Health Care Team Pumps Message CBS News
Little Town Beseeches Obama’s Health Chief New York Times

Heath and Human Services Secretary-designate Tom Daschle, right, listens during his meeting with seniors to discuss health care, Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2008, at the Congress Heights Wellness Center in Washington. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

Congress, Obama face difficult health care reform choices
Palladium-Item, IN - 3 hours ago
... NEWS SERVICE • December 31, 2008 WASHINGTON -- Congress and the Obama administration have many options in the effort to slow health care spending. ...
Study analyzes major health-insurance policy options The Tennessean
Time to deliver on healthcare promises Dickinson Press
Federal Study Concludes Health Insurance Reform Could Create ... Workforce Management

Barack Obama calls on gov. to resign, nominates Daschle

President-elect Barack Obama called again on Gov. Rod Blagojevich to resign following his indictment on corruption charges during a press conference Thursday in Chicago. Obama said that he never met with Blagojevich regarding his replacement and that his team was investigating whether any staff members had contact with the governor on this subject.

Obama also announced today that former Senator Tom Daschle will be his pick for secretary of Health and Human Services. Daschle was one of Obama's earliest high-profile supporters and is a leading figure in the movement toward univeral health care and healthcare reform.

Obama is also expected to announce Nobel Prize-winning physicist Steven Chu as his Energy secretary and former New Jersey environmental protection commissioner Lisa Jackson as head of the Environmental Protection Agency.


Video: Obama: Resign Blagojevich CBS


Blagojevich's Promise to Mom: 'I'll Never Take Bribes'
ABC News - 2 hours ago
By RHONDA SCHWARTZ and KATE McCARTHY Governor Rod Blagojevich promised his mother he would always be honest and "never take bribes," according to a 2006 video posted online by the Democratic National Committee.

Illinois First Lady Faces Scrutiny New York Times

USA Today

Obama to Name Former Lawmaker as Health Secretary
Voice of America - 1 hour ago
By VOA News US President-elect Barack Obama will name former Senator Tom Daschle as his secretary of health and human services during a press conference Thursday in Chicago.
Obama taps Nobel physicist for energy secretary: reports AFP
Nobel Physicist Chosen To Be Energy Secretary Washington Post

Tom Daschle to serve as Secretary of Health and Human Services

Former Senate majority leader Tom Daschle has accepted an offer by President-elect Barack Obama to run Health and Human Services.

Daschle was one of Obama's earliest supporters and many of Obama's campaign and senate staff had come from the former South Dakota senator own former staff or from his recommendations.

CTV.ca

Tom Daschle accepts Obama offer to lead Health and Human Services
Los Angeles Times - 1 hour ago
Ron Edmonds / AP Daschle, a former Senate majority leader, would head the agency that will handle the incoming administration's efforts to expand health insurance coverage, a Democratic source says.

Sources close to Sen. Hillary Clinton say that she is also considering whether to take the job of secretary of state. Obama reportedly has made it known to Clinton that he wants her to accept the job.