Article published November 19, 2008
Dem officials: Daschle accepts Cabinet post
ASSOCIATED PRESS
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Biography of Tom Daschle
Born: Dec. 9, 1947
Hometown: Aberdeen, S.D.
Background: Bachelor's degree, South Dakota State University, 1969; Air Force 1969-1972; representative for financial investment firm, then legislative aide to Democratic Sen. James Abourezk, 1973-1977.
Political career: Elected to U.S. House in 1978 as a political newcomer, winning his seat by 139 votes over Republican Leo K. Thorsness, a former Vietnam prisoner of war. Served four terms in House, then elected to U.S. Senate in 1986. Picked as Senate minority leader in December 1994. Became majority leader in June 2001, but after the 2002 midterm election, Democrats lost slim majority and Daschle again became minority leader. He lost a bid for a fourth term to Republican John Thune in November 2004.
Daschle works as a policy adviser a Washington law firm and was a top advisor to the Obama campaign.
Family: Married to Linda Hall Daschle; has three children from a previous marriage and two grandchildren. |
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WASHINGTON — Former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle has accepted President-elect Barack Obama's offer to be Secretary of Health and Human Services, Democratic officials said Wednesday.
The appointment has not been announced, but these officials said the job is Daschle's barring an unforeseen problem as Obama's team reviews the background of the South Dakota Democrat. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorize to discuss the matter publicly.
Daschle is a close adviser to Obama throughout the former Illinois senator's White House campaign. He recently wrote a book on his proposals to improve health care, and he is working with former Senate leaders on recommendations to improve the system.
Organizations seeking to expand health coverage were quick to praise the selection.
"Sen. Daschle has a deep commitment to securing high-quality, affordable health care for everyone in our nation," said Ron Pollack, executive director of Families USA. "His new leadership position confirms that the incoming Obama administration has made health care reform a top and early priority for action in 2009."
The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity because the selection has not been officially announced.
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