Former Senate Majority Leader and Democratic South Dakota Senator Tom Daschle was nominated as Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) by President Barack Obama on December 11, 2008.

On February 3, 2009, Daschle withdrew his nomination for Health and Human Services secretary. President Obama said in a statement that he had accepted Daschle's decision "with sadness and regret."Political Hotsheet (CBS News): Daschle Withdraws HHS Nomination (February 3, 2009) Obama later told CNN that he "screwed up".Boston Globe: Obama takes the hit on Daschle (February 3, 2009)

Daschle's nomination was delayed amid concerns about $128,000 in back taxes he owed. President Obama expressed his "absolute" support for Daschle on February 2, 2009. Later that day, Daschle issued an apology, in a letter sent to the Senate Finance Committee. In the letter, Daschle said he was "deeply embarrassed" by the matter.Los Angeles Times: Tom Daschle issues apology for failing to pay taxes The New York Times: Obama and Key Democrat Voice Support for Daschle (February 2, 2009)

On the morning of Tuesday, February 3, 2009, Tom Daschle announced he was withdrawing his nomination for Health and Human Services secretary. In a statement, Daschle said "if 30 years of exposure to the challenges inherent in our system has taught me anything, it has taught me that this work will require a leader who can operate with the full faith of Congress and the American people, and without distraction. Right now, I am not that leader." President Obama said he had accepted Daschle's decision to withdraw with "sadness and regret."Political Hotsheet (CBS News): Daschle Withdraws HHS Nomination (February 3, 2009)

Daschle's tax problems were exacerbated by fact that he had worked as a consultant for friend Leo Hindery Jr., whose private equity firm hired a car and driver for Daschle for three years. Earlier in the day, Obama's nominee for White House chief performance officer Nancy Killefer withdrew her nomination for a much small tax error, in regard to unpaid unemployment taxes.Atlantic: Tom Daschle steps down (February 3, 2009) Boston Globe: Obama takes the hit on Daschle (February 3, 2009)

Daschle's nomination as Secretary of Health and Human Services secretary was delayed over concerns about $128,000 in back taxes Daschle owed, for the use of a car and driver, and only paid once the vetting process had begun.WSJ.com: Daschle Paid $100,000 in Back Taxes... (January 30, 2009) It was also revealed during the vetting process that Daschle had received over $200,000 for public speaking engagements to the same groups he would be charged with regulating as HHS Secretary. Despite these concerns, sources reported that President Obama was committed to Daschle's nomination, which Democrats were scheduled to discuss during a meeting on February 2, 2009.Politico: 'A bad first-day hit' for Daschle (January 31, 2009)

Daschle was the United States Senate Majority Leader from 2001 until the Democrats returned to the minority in 2003. He served as South Dakota's senator from 1987 to 2005.Congress.gov: Thomas Andrew Daschle

In February 2008, Daschle published a book about health care issues in the United States. In the book Critical: What We Can Do About the Health-Care Crisis, Daschle suggests creating a Federal Health Board that would be similar to the Federal Reserve System.The Caucus (NYT): Daschle Nominated to Human Services Cabinet Post (November 19, 2008)

"At a time that there is so much at stake, there is no question that fixing health care is and has been for many years our largest domestic policy challenge. Addressing our health care challenges will not only mean healthier and longer lives for millions—it will also make American companies more competitive, address the cause of half of all of our personal bankruptcies and foreclosures, and help pull our economy out of its current tailspin."CNN: Obama taps Daschle as 'lead architect' of health care plan