Daschle withdraws nomination over tax problems; who’s next in the HHS queue?

Former South Dakota Senator Tom Daschle withdrew his nomination for Secretary of Health and Human Services today; he’d come under considerable scrutiny for failing to pay taxes on a portion of his 2007 income. The alleged error in income was not discovered until December of 2008 by Daschle’s accountant. On Friday it was reported that a business partner furnished Daschle with a driver and vehicle, which was not reported on Daschle’s income tax statements; the report ramped up the pressure on Daschle and the administration as to the nominee’s suitability for HHS.

President Obama accepted the withdrawal, saying that Daschle had made a mistake, but that the error did not diminish Daschle’s record of service.

Two names have already emerged as likely candidates to replace Daschle as nominees for HHS. Rep. Rosa Delauro (D-Conn.), a proponent of increased spending on contraception and sex education for teens, is considered by some to be in the running; however her track record on sex education which includes abstinence may generate opposition on the left while her support of science-based sex education may generate opposition on the right.

Former Democratic National Committee chair Howard Dean has also been rumored as a possible candidate; his experience while Vermont’s governor in establishing health care for all children and seniors in that state while maintaining a balanced budget is seen by some as weighing in his favor. However, Dean has not been on the best of terms with President Obama’s chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel, casting doubts on Dean’s odds for the HHS nomination.

There’s also the chance that a Republican could be named, now that President Obama has named three Republicans to his cabinet. But are there any Republicans who are willing to champion health care reform that provides care to all Americans while streamlining costs? Stay tuned — let’s see if the adminstration finds one they can work with.