The Blog

Tom Daschle and Health Care Reform

11:51 AM, Dec 1, 2009 • By MATTHEW CONTINETTI
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Here's the AP on the first day of the Senate's health care debate. The most interesting stuff comes toward the end of the story:

Despite the public jousting, significant action was occurring behind the scenes Monday evening as Reid, D-Nev., and Baucus huddled to plot strategy with top White House and Cabinet officials including Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, along with former Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle, Obama's first pick for HHS secretary before his nomination was derailed.

Even the most strident backers of health care reform are wondering what the secretary of the Interior is doing at these behind-the-scenes negotiations. But what about Daschle? He holds no office. He is not a member of the administration. He is not a registered lobbyist. He's a highly compensated power-broker whose nomination to the Obama cabinet was undone by tax problems.

Maybe he's counseling Harry Reid on career options for former Senate majority leaders.

More by Matthew Continetti

RECOMMENDED FURTHER READING: Keith Hennessey is doing yeoman's work following the Senate floor debate at his blog.