Daschle Withdraws

« Tax Dominos Begin To Topple | Main | Toss The Tax Code »

Feb 3 2009, 12:49 pm by Marc Ambinder

President Obama, in a statement: "Tom made a mistake, which he has openly acknowledged. He has not excused it, nor do I." Daschle told NBC News's Andrea Mitchell that the New York Times editorial this morning made him realize that passing health care reform would be made all the more difficult if he were a distraction.

Comments (4)

Elrod February 3, 2009 1:00 PM

Don't you mean "excuse" and not "execute"?

Anyway, I'm glad he's pulling out - especially after Killifer backed out over far less serious tax problems.

Ambinder spelling cop February 3, 2009 1:30 PM

Cripes! Marc, you mean "excuse" and not "execute". How can you possibly get this wrong, on the BIGGEST STORY OF THE DAY?

C- FOR YOU!!

You're a pretty good reporter, but things like this make lots of us think you lack professional pride. Glad you're allowing comments, though, so you can know how aggravating this is.

JR Shells February 3, 2009 1:47 PM

I don't believe that was the reason... seriously? What's more important than the financial crisis and Geithner survived. Maybe the revelation of all the monies he made as a quasi-lobbyist pushed him out. I'm skeptical that he left on his own... nobody would remember or care about this story in a month.

Appalled Moderate February 3, 2009 2:28 PM

JR Shells:

He has to go. A major tax increase may well happen before Obama finishes hs first term. It would look terrible if the people pushing the increase (and that would include HHS, if national health is coming outway) have tax problems.

Remember that not only Geithner has tax issues, but the Ways & Means chairman as well...