I hope Daschle steps aside.

As a doctor who is seeing patients lose their health insurance every day, the last thing we need is a guy who is on the take from the health insurance companies. For too long, our system has been bought off by the insurance and pharmaceutical cartel. Everything is out of wack in the health care industry. I'm just not confident Daschle will be committed enough to the cause to help bring about real change.

I just hope he steps aside.

In my dream of dreams, I hope we move to the actual possibility of single payer federal health insurance.

Put me down as part of the liberal Obama donor base who is NOT HAPPY with the Daschle pick.

If he remains, I hope his actions going forward are better than his recent track record.

He should

It's not like Daschel will have the duty of implementing whatever his version of health care reform is, but instead he will be following the directions of his boss, President Obama, and implementing his version of health care reform. It will be President Obama, not Daschel, who will be setting policy, and if a health care reform bill is sent to the Capitol, it will be President Obama, not Daschel, who will sign it into law (or veto it).

wants done. The people picked will be the ones doing the detail work and working with Congress. Congress also has a big say in the way the package comes out. (Both Baucus and Kennedy will have a big say - as will others on the two committee.) Neither Obama or Daschle will dictate to the committees what to write. The bill has to be one the President and the Congress is satisfied by.

Clinton tried creating a plan and just giving it to Congress - and it was rejected by the entire Finance committee - including every Democrat. Fours years later they passed the Senate initiated SCHIP - the healthcare accomplishment of the Clinton years.

Campaign message of Obama wanting change. I believe that Daschle deflates Obama's message and lessens his credibility. It's not only the tax issue that is the problem - like MSM is wanting us to think. It is the company that Dashchle has been keeping since he left his seat. He was ineffective when he served. He is having to start out with an apology to the American people. That's not a good start. He should do the right thing and withdraw his name from this nomination. If President Obama still wants his advice - he could utilize Daschle as a consultant - but I don't think Daschle as a cabinet member is acceptable.

I sit back and wonder why the Repugs aren't making a bigger deal out of this. This seems like something they would pick up on and make mincemeat out of Obama and the Dems. As such - that is making me suspicious. Why do they find Daschle acceptable? The only two things I can surmise are: 1. they know Daschle will crumble to the whims of the insurance industry and the health care reform that we were looking for - will not happen under Daschle; or 2. They will use Daschle's problems later in the process to embarrass both Daschle and Obama - and health care reform will suffer the consequences.

Yesterday I called both my Senators and my Congressman to encourage them to put pressure either on Daschle to withdraw or Obama to dump him. I think unless our D.C. representatives hear from their constituency - Daschle will be confirmed - and we will have to let the chips fall where they may.

You need someone more confrontational in that role IMO, plus Howard did so much to resurrect the party he really should be a part of the administration.

just starts this very important part of the "change we must have" off on the wrong footing.

K&R

It seems like he is just another typical politician. Are they all the same??

This is a man who felt he needed a chauffeur, you expect him to step down? Not happening. Obama needs to pull his nomination

Even with a Dem majority -- Dem candidates get battered and bruised in the nomination process and Republicans, no matter what their baggage, sail through like shit through a tin horn.

Change -- my ass!

n/t

A lightning rod for Rethug attacks, for sure, but I think his credentials speak for themselves.

He doesn't seem to change when they come after him for his "gaffes." He's like the energizer bunny...he just keeps on going. IMHO, Biden is the same way. They can go after him for foot-in-mouth, but he's not intimidated.