Whither Now Goes Health Care Reform?

It was a sad day in Washington yesterday, as Tom Daschle, whom Obama not only named as director of Health and Human Services but also created a special "health care czar" position for, joined the rapidly-growing ranks of disgraced would-be Obama Cabinet designees and withdrew from consideration. Daschle withdrew over his failure to pay $140,000 in back taxes and interest from the use of a car-and-driver service granted to him by a media mogul/politico friend over the years. This announcement came right on the heels of Nancy Killefer's withdrawal from the newly-created post of Chief Performance Officer, over a much smaller amount ($900) but a more malicious-seeming intent (she refused to pay employment security taxes on a former nanny and had a lien placed on her house, whereas Daschle believably claims he thought the car service counted as a gift, not as income). And, of course, Tim Geithner came under fire during his own confirmation for failing to pay $100,000 in income taxes while he was employed at the IMF - though he managed to dodge the bullets and claim his post as Treasury Secretary.

The most unfortunate part about the recent realization of Obama's tax-evasion triumvirate is that the wrong guy made it to confirmation. One scandal-ridden Cabinet member could be dealt with, the administration and the Congress seemed to agree, but three was unacceptable. Geithner's hearing got underway first, due to the perceived urgency of his nomination in light of the economic crisis; he met significant opposition during his hearing, but the Democratic majority handed him an albeit tarnished victory. However, by the time Daschle's confirmation rolled around, the Obama administration was fast acquiring a reputation for hypocrisy, for being that nasty old more-of-the-same they so decried on the campaign trail. As member after member fell under scrutiny (besides the aforementioned, Bill Richardson and William Lynn were ethically called-out), Daschle's tax problems (as well as some questionable psuedo-lobbying activity in his recent past) seemed like too much fuel for the fires of those who felt betrayed. In light of Geithner's tainted confirmation, Daschle, many felt, couldn't also be allowed to slide. Of course, if Obama knew he was only going to get to keep one of his three top Cabinet nominees, you better believe he wouldn't have picked Geithner. Daschle truly was uniquely qualified for the HHS position (and, of course, the position Obama created for him); a passionate advocate of universal health care and systematic reform (one of our nation's most dire needs), he is one of the only public figures with both the issue advocacy and expertise as well as the political connections and governmental savvy that will be required, if health care reform has a prayer of a chance of getting passed. Not only was Geithner a much less vital personality, but, for the love of god, he was up for Treasury Secretary. Overseeing the IRS. AND HE DIDN'T PAY HIS TAXES. What could be more direct grounds for dismissal than that?!?

Regardless, the future of health care reform in this country looks, at the moment, bleak. The only other names that immediately come to mind in regards to health care are Ted Kennedy (dying of brain tumor) and Hillary Clinton (already tapped for an inappropriate spot as Secretary of State). The administration never so much as contemplated anyone but Daschle for the position, according to the Washington Post. While Daschle, like other idiots, should have just paid his damn taxes and avoided this whole mess in the first place, and while the whole situation is a disgrace to him and to the new President - he was still the best man for the job.

Perhaps Obama shot himself in the foot by setting standards too high for any Washingtonian to possibly meet. But, then again, he did promise us, during the campaign, that he wasn't going to fill his White House with the same old Washington insiders. His campaign attracted attention and praise due in large part to its preponderance of Beltway outsiders - it was what gave it the grassroots appeal that carried the junior Senator to the top of the polls. And yet, no sooner had Obama been declared the winner of the election than he began to pick his staff members straight from - you guessed it - the same old pool of seasoned politicos. The Clinton connections go way beyond Hillary Clinton herself - so how, exactly, did Obama expect to bring a brand new day in presidential politics when the fundamental personnel had not changed? Either Obama should have stuck to his promise, and picked from a pool of rookies, or he should not have set the goal so high as to be unable to achieve it. Now he just looks, well, naive. (And Jesus, who picked that vetting team, anyway??)

Obama must take this opportunity to seriously evaluate where he wants this nation to go, and how he means to achieve it. There is way too much at stake to be making gambles at this stage in the game.