Legal Commentary

Daschle at HHS

By TChris

Tom Daschle, according to a "source close to Daschle," has been offered and has accepted the cabinet position of Secretary of Health and Human Services.

Update by BTD - As is well known by now, Daschle's wife is a lobbyist. Presumably she will not be working as one now.

Update by TChris - confirmation from Reuters and CNN. The latter source adds this: [more ...]

Most significantly, Daschle negotiated that he will also serve as the White House health "czar" — or point person — so that he will report directly to the incoming President. The significance is this guarantees that by wearing two hats Daschle, and not White House staffers, will be writing the health care plan that Obama submits to Congress next year.

CNN also reports that Daschle is "technically" not a lobbyist but, as BTD reported above, his wife is a lobbyist for a firm that, per CNN, has "some health clients."

Full post as published by TalkLeft on November 19, 2008 (boomark / email).