Daschle 'deeply embarrassed' over tax issues
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Story Highlights
Tom Daschle, tapped to head Health and Human Services, apologizes for errors
He sends letter to senior members of Senate Finance Committee
Daschle emphasizes that tax return mistakes were "unintentional"
By Mark Preston and Dana Bash
CNN Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Barack Obama's choice to oversee health care reform in his administration expressed regret Monday to Senate leaders over tax issues that are dogging his nomination.
Tom Daschle has been nominated by President Obama to be secretary of Health and Human Services.
Former Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle, D-South Dakota, said he is "deeply embarrassed and disappointed by the errors that required me to amend my tax returns," in a letter dated Monday to the senior Democrat and Republican on the Senate Finance Committee that was provided to CNN.
"I apologize for the errors and profoundly regret that you have had to devote time to them," Daschle said in the letter to Finance Chairman Max Baucus, D-Montana, and Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa.
Daschle has been nominated by Obama to be secretary of Health and Human Services.
A committee memo obtained Friday by CNN indicates committee members want to discuss the use of a car and driver that Daschle didn't disclose on his income taxes, and nonpayment of taxes on more than $80,000 he earned in consulting fees after leaving the Senate.
Daschle emphasized to Baucus and Grassley in the letter that "My mistakes were unintentional."
Two senior Democrats on the Senate Finance Committee have made public statements of support for Daschle despite his tax troubles.
"Tom Daschle has dedicated his life to public service. I have every confidence that he will be a great Secretary of Health and Human Services," said Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont. "I look forward to working with him to finally deliver real health care reform for the American people."
Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts said he considers the matter resolved. "Months ago, Tom personally and proactively addressed the taxes issue and took all necessary steps to correct his innocent error," Kerry said. "I've known Tom Daschle for years and he is a man of great character and integrity who will do a superb job in helping us fix our healthcare system. I look forward to his speedy confirmation."
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"Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts said he considers the matter resolved. "Months ago, Tom personally and proactively addressed the taxes issue and took all necessary steps to correct his innocent error," Kerry said. "I've known Tom Daschle for years and he is a man of great character and integrity who will do a superb job in helping us fix our healthcare system. I look forward to his speedy confirmation"
Crooks.
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"Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts said he considers the matter resolved. "Months ago, Tom personally and proactively addressed the taxes issue and took all necessary steps to correct his innocent error," Kerry said. "I've known Tom Daschle for years and he is a man of great character and integrity who will do a superb job in helping us fix our healthcare system. I look forward to his speedy confirmation"
Crooks.
"Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts said he considers the matter resolved. "Months ago, Tom personally and proactively addressed the taxes issue and took all necessary steps to correct his innocent error," Kerry said. "I've known Tom Daschle for years and he is a man of great character and integrity who will do a superb job in helping us fix our healthcare system. I look forward to his speedy confirmation"
Crooks.
Well I wrote my two US Senators - Joe Lieberman and Chris Duh'd - about the Tim Geitner vote and received a response from Lieberman. He said he was troubled by Geitner's failure to pay his taxes but felt that there was a need to move quickly on this nomination given the current state of the US/World economy.
I just wrote to Lieberman (and Duh'd) again to voice my opinion that Daschle should not be appointed and I see no compelling reason to 'move immediately' to appoint a Secretary of Health - especially somebody who made $200K speaking to an industry that he will be asked to reform.
Is there any single HONEST Congressman or Senator in America?
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"Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts said he considers the matter resolved. "Months ago, Tom personally and proactively addressed the taxes issue and took all necessary steps to correct his innocent error," Kerry said. "I've known Tom Daschle for years and he is a man of great character and integrity who will do a superb job in helping us fix our healthcare system. I look forward to his speedy confirmation"
Crooks.
Well I wrote my two US Senators - Joe Lieberman and Chris Duh'd - about the Tim Geitner vote and received a response from Lieberman. He said he was troubled by Geitner's failure to pay his taxes but felt that there was a need to move quickly on this nomination given the current state of the US/World economy.
I just wrote to Lieberman (and Duh'd) again to voice my opinion that Daschle should not be appointed and I see no compelling reason to 'move immediately' to appoint a Secretary of Health - especially somebody who made $200K speaking to an industry that he will be asked to reform.
Is there any single HONEST Congressman or Senator in America?
Is there any single HONEST Congressman or Senator in America?
Actually I don't care much.
Except for the fact that the Daschle job is meaningless and honorary and Geitner's less so I'd rather have a guy better suited for a job who's a bit of a crook than a boy scout who's a lefty idealogue.
(of course Tommy's both <G>)
It's just the double standard that should irk anyone.
I'd rather have Belichick than Mangini.
WSS
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Is there any single HONEST Congressman or Senator in America?
Actually I don't care much.
Except for the fact that the Daschle job is meaningless and honorary and Geitner's less so I'd rather have a guy better suited for a job who's a bit of a crook than a boy scout who's a lefty idealogue.
(of course Tommy's both <G>)
It's just the double standard that should irk anyone.
I'd rather have Belichick than Mangini.
WSS
It's just the double standard that should irk anyone.
That is the issue, Steve.
Not a wimper from the folks striving for the 'most ethical' congress, a change in Washington, and hope for the future. They all became mutes.
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