Top Items:
New York Times:
The Travails of Tom Daschle — When President Obama nominated former Senator Tom Daschle to be his secretary of health and human services, it seemed to be a good choice. Mr. Daschle, as the co-author of a book on health care reform, knew a lot about one of the president's signature issues.
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Associated Press:
Obama performance chief Killefer out, citing taxes — Featured Topics: - Barack Obama - Presidential Transition — WASHINGTON - Nancy Killefer withdrew her candidacy to be the first chief performance officer for the federal government on Tuesday, saying she didn't want her bungling …
MSNBC:
Daschle withdraws as Obama nominee — He tells NBC that NY Times editorial had a role; Killefer also withdraws — WASHINGTON - Former Senate Democratic leader Tom Daschle on Tuesday withdrew his nomination to oversee the Health and Human Services Department, citing controversies over his taxes …
Mark Murray / MSNBC:
ANOTHER TAX PROBLEM FOR OBAMA? — From NBC's Lisa Myers, Chuck Todd, Savannah Guthrie, and Ken Strickland — NBC News has learned that the president's choice for “chief performance officer” — technically a deputy OMB director post — could end up having to withdraw over a number of issues, including tax problems.
Discussion:
Power Line, Weekly Standard, Pajamas Media, Riehl World View, Political Machine, Emptywheel and Say Anything
Fox News:
Daschle Withdraws Nomination for Health and Human Services Secretary — Tom Daschle has withdrawn his nomination for health and human services secretary, and President Obama has accepted. — FOXNews.com — Tom Daschle has withdrawn his nomination for health and human services secretary …
Ezra Klein / American Prospect:
DASCHLE WITHDRAWS. — According to The New York Times, Tom Daschle has withdrawn his nomination to be Secretary of Health and Human Services and director of the White House Office of Health Reform. — Instant reaction: This is good for the cause of ethics in government.
Peter Baker / New York Times:
Obama's Pledge to Reform Ethics Faces an Early Test — WASHINGTON — During almost two years on the campaign trail, Barack Obama vowed to slay the demons of Washington, bar lobbyists from his administration and usher in what he would later call in his Inaugural Address a “new era of responsibility.”
Discussion:
Washington Post, Time, JustOneMinute, Boston Globe, TalkLeft, Associated Press, MSNBC, Betsy's Page, The Caucus and TIME.com
Chris Cillizza / The Fix:
How Killefer Hurts Daschle — President Obama's choice for government performance officer Nancy Killefer withdrew her name from consideration, possibly causing problems for HHS nominee Tom Daschle. (Linda Davidson / staff/ The Washington Post) — UPDATE 12:48 p.m.: Tom Daschle has withdrawn …
Washington Post:
Obama's Choice for Chief Performance Officer Withdraws Name
Obama's Choice for Chief Performance Officer Withdraws Name
Discussion:
The Hill's Pundits Blog, White House Watch, Wonkette, American Power and The Daily Politics
Jeff Zeleny / The Caucus:
Tom Daschle Withdraws As Health Nominee
Tom Daschle Withdraws As Health Nominee
Discussion:
Townhall.com, CBS News, Democracy in America, Political Machine, No More Mister Nice Blog, The Impolitic and TaxProf Blog
John Distaso / UnionLeader.com:
In 2010, Rep. Hodes will run for U.S. Senate — CONCORD - Democratic U.S. Rep. Paul Hodes will announce his candidacy for the U.S. Senate “within the week,” a source close to Hodes told UnionLeader.com this morning shortly before Judd Gregg's nomination as commerce secretary became official.
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Jonathan Allen / CQ Politics:
Gregg Voted to Kill Commerce Before He Agreed to Lead It — President Obama's new candidate to run the Commerce Department voted in favor of abolishing the agency as a member of the Budget Committee and on the Senate floor in 1995. — Sen. Judd Gregg , R-N.H., whose nomination was expected …
Discussion:
Open Left, Washington Monthly, MoJoBlog, BBC, The Washington Note, The Atlantic Online, The Nation, Wonk Room, BuzzFlash.org, Think Progress, Weekly Standard, Hot Air and USA Today
David S. Cloud / The Politico:
Secret report urges new Afghan plan — The Pentagon's top military officers are recommending to President Barack Obama that he shift U.S. strategy in Afghanistan — to focus on ensuring regional stability and eliminating Taliban and Al Qaida safe havens in Pakistan, rather …
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Tony Halpin / Times of London:
Passengers stop flight after ‘drunk’ pilot sparks panic — It is normally a moment of cheery reassurance when an airline pilot greets passengers during preparations for take-off. But Alexander Cheplevsky sparked panic on flight Aeroflot 315 when he began to speak.
Jared Allen / The Hill:
Dems warn leaders to resume regular order — A group of more than 50 House Democrats has penned a letter to Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) imploring him to “restore this institution” and see that the House returns to a “regular order” process of legislating.
Wall Street Journal:
Daniel Pearl and the Normalization of Evil — When will our luminaries stop making excuses for terror? — This week marks the seventh anniversary of the murder of our son, former Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl. My wife Ruth and I wonder: Would Danny have believed that today's world emerged after his tragedy?
Steve Benen / Washington Monthly:
JOE THE REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST.... Once in a while, I get the sense Republicans on Capitol Hill want to be made fun of. … This is what it's come to for Republican staffers in Congress. In the midst of an economic crisis, and after balking at a stimulus package, the GOP is turning …
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Andrew Taylor / Associated Press:
Senate GOP blocks extra $25B in stimulus package — Featured Topics: - Barack Obama - Presidential Transition — WASHINGTON - Senate Republicans on Tuesday blocked Democrats from adding $25 billion for highways, mass transit, and water projects to President Barack Obama's economic recovery program.
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Josh Marshall / Talking Points Memo:
PAINFULLY STUPID — Sen. Thune (R-SD) explains Republican thinking about the economic crisis ... Country's on the precipice. And idiots like this are holding the floor. — Late Update: A Hill staffer chimes in ...
Discussion:
Washington Monthly
David Brooks / New York Times:
Ward Three Morality — I've become increasingly concerned about the rising number of rich people who are being caught unawares by shifts in the sumptuary code. First, there were those auto executives who didn't realize that it is no longer socially acceptable to use private jets for lobbying trips to Washington.
David Neiwert / Crooks and Liars:
O'Reilly declares war on New York Times after it calls him out on immigration — Bill O'Reilly is outraged, outraged we tell you, over Sunday's superb New York Times editorial calling out Republicans — and particularly movement conservatives who have thoroughly embraced the nativist wing of the party …