Blogs and Stories
Has Daschle Gone Rogue?
Manuel Balce Ceneta / AP Photo
Tom Daschle, Obama's original pick to overhaul the health care system, is now floating a rival plan, to the chagrin of some in the administration. The Daily Beast's Richard Wolffe asks the president's failed health nominee which side he's on.
He was supposed to be at the heart of the health-care debate, shuttling between his White House office, the halls of Congress, and his expansive Cabinet secretary’s suite. Instead Tom Daschle, the former Democratic leader in the Senate and prominent advocate for health reform, is shaping the contentious debate through the advisory job that derailed his nomination as Obama’s first pick for Health secretary. And it's a shape that the president doesn't currently accept.
“This is difficult stuff,” he tells me. “It’s not easy. There’s no painless way to reach compromise. There’s no painless way to reach the revenue targets we’re trying to reach. I don’t mind taking heat. I guess I feel I took plenty of heat when I was leading the Senate. It comes with the territory. You have to accept the fact that you’re not going to please everybody.”
“He’s making compromises we don’t want to,” says one senior Obama aide. “We just take a different view right now.”
The reason he’s not pleasing Obama right now: the reform blueprint he negotiated with two former GOP Senate leaders, Bob Dole and Howard Baker. It includes compromises that some Democrats, including several inside the White House, are still uncomfortable with.
(Daschle works at the D.C. office of Alston & Bird, a corporate law and lobbying firm headquartered in Atlanta. He is not a registered lobbyist, meaning he cannot approach government officials on behalf of his clients. He can, however, advise the firm's clients, which include several major health care companies and organizations.)
Daschle’s big compromise was to weaken the so-called public option, making the federal government a fallback in case state governments fail to establish so-called insurance exchanges. Those exchanges are intended to allow patients to compare plans in a clear way, encouraging more competition between insurers to drive down costs.
In return, Daschle felt that his Republican counterparts dropped their opposition to universal coverage, and especially mandates for companies and individuals—which would levy fees or taxes on those who don’t offer coverage or take up insurance.
The headlines and commentary about Daschle’s compromises were not exactly positive. “Daschle Folds on Federal Public Health-Care Plan,” wrote ABC’s The Note. “Daschle reluctantly agreed that there would be no federal-government plan,” wrote The Washington Post’s veteran columnist David Broder. Another point of criticism: the fact that he continues shaping policy, including talking on background to reporters and commentators and sharing his expert analysis to his clients, via the job that derailed his nomination as Obama’s first pick for Health and Human Services secretary: special public-policy adviser at the law firm Alston & Bird.
White House insiders weren’t necessarily expecting the South Dakota Democrat to carry their water. But after his nomination debacle, they weren’t expecting major differences, either. Now there’s a feeling that he’s gotten out ahead of them. “Everyone loves Daschle,” says one senior Obama aide. “But he’s making compromises we don’t want to. We just take a different view right now.”
Daschle has expended much time and effort to correct the impression that he torpedoed a public health-care option—up to a point. “I don’t think I said that,” he explained. “But we have to be willing to compromise on a public plan. At the end of the day, I’m not opposing everything else just because a public plan isn’t designed the way I would like it to be. There isn’t one thing that should kill the reform effort this time.
How Rich People Smoke Pot
Paul Schrodt is a writer living in New York City. He has contributed to New York magazine, Radar, and Esquire.com.
Justice Clinton?
As vice chairman of Public Strategies and president of Maverick Media, Mark McKinnon has helped meet strategic challenges for candidates, corporations and causes, including George W. Bush, John McCain, Governor Ann Richards, Charlie Wilson, Lance Armstrong, and Bono. McKinnon is co-chair of Arts & Labs, a collaboration between technology and creative communities that have embraced today's rich Internet environment to deliver innovative and creative digital products to consumers.
Obama's Plan to Split the GOP
Richard Wolffe is Daily Beast columnist and an award-winning journalist. He covered the entire length of Barack Obama's presidential campaign for Newsweek magazine. His book, Renegade: The Making of a President, was published by Crown in June.
Presidency on the Line
Richard Wolffe is Daily Beast columnist and an award-winning journalist. He covered the entire length of Barack Obama's presidential campaign for Newsweek magazine. His book, Renegade: The Making of a President, was published by Crown in June.
New White House Blame Game
Richard Wolffe is Daily Beast columnist and an award-winning journalist. He covered the entire length of Barack Obama's presidential campaign for Newsweek magazine. His book, Renegade: The Making of a President, was published by Crown in June.
BenBochner
Obama's got 65% approval. 70% of the people want a public option. There are wide majorities of Democrats in both houses of Congress. And they can't get a public option through? OK. Who's stopping it? Shine a light on them. Do I have to explain brass knuckle politics to Mr. Chicago? Obviously, Dems care more about their big money donors than they do about the country. And Daschle? Daschle ought to be put in stocks in front of the capital wearing nothing but those weird red glasses of his. What a traitor. Come on Obama - let those who oppose you learn to fear you. Why won't you fight?
ThinkAgain
You should check those polls a little closer. People want A public option, but when given the specifics of the proposed plans.... not so much.
Ritarita
The latest NBC/Wall St.Journal poll
Finds a whopping 76% -at least that-
The poll actually says 'more than three quarters'
Of respondents think the health care reform bill
Should give people the option
Of a public non-profit plan
SO ThinkAgain.
sadie101
Ask them if they'd like to get cancer care at the VA and then you will get a realistic answer. ONLY 25% of the american public has a college degree, and these folks do not understand what will happen to our health care delivery system when ObamaCare is in charge of them.
Medicare is going bust, so why not double down? Because it is a very bad idea.
connie47
Wow, sadie101, that's really elitist of you. First, it's 29%, not 25%, but that's not the point. Your implication is that those without a college degree are stupid. What arrogance.
You also seem to be suffering from the delusion that those with college degrees agree with you. We don't, but then many of us are well traveled and have actually had occasion to participate in public plans overseas.
jdiggi
same kind of people were "not so much" social security, med care, etc. now what?
MariosRight
So only people with a college education know whats right for everyone else?
I think those are the smart folks who got us into so much trouble to begin with.
75% of people are wrong and 25% are right because they went to college.
Hmmmm.
sophia5
"The Daily Beast's Richard Wolffe asks the president's failed health nominee which side he's on."
Daschle and all politicians are supposed to be on the side of "The People."
These people in Washington,
actually believe "it is all about them and power," Dems versus Reps.
Politicians in their arrogance, are on the side of the largest bidders.
ncopas
sadie, speaking from her stinky hind quarters as usual
"ONLY 25% of the american public has a college degree, and these folks do not understand what will happen to our health care delivery system when ObamaCare is in charge" - and of course you totally understand what will happen, in your vast wisdom... If you have a college degree, then you are breathing proof that education can and does fail. miserably.
"Medicare is going bust, so why not double down" - yeah, it's not any more complicated than that. We have huge teams of politicians working on a concept that can be boiled down to one phrase... moron
tomkraj
Sadly, it appears the way to get to wayward Senate Democrats is through their campaign committees.
The Democratic Senate Campaign Committee has sent 4 fundraising appeals to me this past week. Whether you got one or not - respond. Tell them you will consider a contribution when they begin to act as Democrats with a backbone rather than a water carriers for insurance companies.
The emails came from the politically savy James Carville, Senator Claire McCaskill, and the DSCC Ex. director. Contact them at:
james@carville.info,
info@claireonline.com,
and info@dscc.org
pbwest
true that.. all dems that disagree w/ a public option can be purged from the senate, beginning NOW
amapola101
Benbochner,Democrats and republicans,care more about their cash donors.companies,polticians,and alot of people.on both sides of the aisle.
batbird
This is my first time making a reply. I see that they only go 2 deep, so I'll reply to sadie101 here.
While we are polling these folks, ask them if they don't mind paying for the huge profits the doctors and hospitals make on your cancer care.
Also ask them if the VA would refer you out to cancer specialists and then pay for it all, which they do routinely, would they want that type of care.
OHNOTAGAIN
I would think so? He stepped down from the nominations far to quick. Yes, Obama please show these folks how you can Govern this Nation. You have the majority of the people following you at this point, go for the all you know.
galeso
76% want increased services, lower taxes, and a balanced budget.
99% think Bill Gates should pay the all the taxes so the rest of us can avoid the hassle filling out a 1040. Could happen.
kurfco
You could get over 65% to express approval for a great many bad ideas. The United States is a Republic, not a Democracy. We elect representatives, not spokespeople. If our Senators and Congressmen were nothing more than mouthpieces, we could install touchtone voting in our homes and send them all home, generating huge savings in the process.
The reason the public option is losing traction is because it's a bad idea. It will lead to the destruction of the private insurance industry because it is beyond question unfairly advantaged in the competition. Obama is pragmatic enough and open enough to the flow of ideas that he appreciates that the public option, though knee jerk popular with the left wing of his party, may in fact be bad public policy. The more this gets debated, the more persuaded he will become. That's one of the nice things about bad ideas: their general shape gets clearer and clearer with the passage of time and more information.
Ritarita
Robin Williams
Suggested that lawmakers
Should dress like NASCAR drivers
Showing their sponsorships on their
Jackets pants and hats.
Tom Daschle has run out of space on his-
And Kaiser-Permanente is spelled out
Across his ass.
AmiBlue
How perfectly appropriate, Ritarita. Thank you for this!
Jane1948
Love that idea. Let's send it to Daschle!!! Where do we reach him, ...the little weasel. Turning on the People for a dime.
wfleet
Nope, Jane1948, he didn't turn on We The dear Sheeples for a dime -- it was for 31 pieces of tarnished silver.
Two anagrams for Tom Daschle are "Cash Led Tom" & "The Old Scam."
sadie101
Oh great, another person who gets their policy from drunkard movie stars.
I can bet how this person answered to the public plan in the poll: I want what Robin Williams wants, he so smart guy
jenny4hill
Sadie, you fail to see the wit in that remark? Sad! It's not policy - it's an observation. You're supposed to think, you know -- not just react as you've been told.
akcita
I guess some people are waiting for "the rest of the story..." as Paul Harvey used to put it.
The economic magic that I have been hearing s that we extend this benefit to a good portion of the western hemisphere, (we have laws that force care to be provided at tax payer cost now, regardless of citizenship)
we relieve the businesses of having to provide healthcare, but then tax them for it and pay for the benefits this way.
So, business is releived of a burden and then given a new one that is supposed to cover twice as many people?
The math doesn't work. Somewhere in here are some critical assumptions about service availability, competition, costs, and revenue that will either make or break the bank.
These shouldn't be shoot from the hip guesses. There should be sound arguments with facts to back them up. Adding another entitlement that will break our bank in the nearer future is the kind of decision making that got us to where we are now. Just look at Social Security and the mess it will be in. We don't know how we will pay that entitlement, but let's add a few more anyways.
.
steff47
sadie
Robin Williams may have his flaws but being stupid is not one of them
jenny4hill
Good one!
akcita
BTW, it is a good observation, and full disclosure of all donors is one of those McCain ideas that goes right along with this sentiment.
steff47
Well put rita well put
downbytheriver00
HAH! good one!
AiriqS
Rita, that was GREAT!!!
A few more ideas:
Advertising on the outside of AF 1 & all presidential limosines
Billboards erected on the roof of the Capitol & WH
the list is endless!
primemover
Lets not forget to remind Daschle to order NASCAR suits for his wife and children. After all, the entire family should be reminded every day how their husband and father gets his money. Good god, don't these people have any self respect at all? Tom Dashle should put up an "I'm for sale" page on EBAY.
son-of-metis
First, I love ritarita ;)
I keep thinking that as an *initial* transformation of health care, one way to start a compromise is to limit the coverage discussion to children, or to children and retirees. Medicaid and medicare do some of this already, but folks spend a lot of money out-of-pocket for family coverage premiums, so much that many go without and hope for the best when they could have gotten preventative or early care that could have avoided bigger bills down the road.
As Whitney sang, "I believe the children are our future." Let's start by investing in our children's care - we stupid adults can fend for ourselves for a while. Let's see where that takes us coverage-wise, budget-wise, and efficiency-wise before moving toward the idea of any universal coverage options.
skiffymom
I do love the idea of legislators like NASCAR drivers, literally wearing their allegiances on their sleeves (thanks, Ritarita! Great mental image!). And I do agree that children absolutely do need care, no matter what, so their care rightfully should be a "given."
But I differ with son-of-metis when he says "we stupid adults can fend for ourselves for a while." Sorry, but that's just not true for everyone. There are families going bankrupt every day because of traumatic medical conditions they did not choose and cannot do anything about.
That's the whole point of the public option--that, and the fact that any one of us, insured or (mostly) not, could be the next one forced to bankruptcy after, for instance, a catastrophic automobile accident or an aggressive cancer.
son-of-metis
I totally agree with you. In fact, just caught a few minutes of Michael Moore's "Sicko" the other day that reminded me of a lot of problems we 'stupid adults' are currently facing with the current scheme. And yes, those kids are dependent upon healthy parents to take care of them.
Even so, I'm just positing that if we can't agree on a price tag or coverage to possibly cover *everyone*, then let's at least come up with a plan to cover the kids and then work our way on up.
tarryh
I used to like the Senator but he does not seem to understand how important the pubic option is for the average American. When you live and work in Washington you are in a bubble. You loose touch with real average working class and middle class people. You do not for a minute appreciate the depth of hurt out there. It is all a game of chess when your personal health care is not in jeopardy
Martyz42
What this also tells you is that Tommy "in the money pocket of the health companies" Daschle but that when his tax problem came up it was Obama sho asked him to step down rather then him stepping down...
jbuzz1
Look, I voted for Obama but this govt as the answer to everything is going a bit too far. Hate on the insurance companies all you want but govt is running Medicare into the ground, despite the fact that they pay providers at about 70% of the fees charged by private insurers. A public option is a trojan horse...the public plan will drive private competition out of the health insurance business (not to mention doctors and hospitals) and all we'll have is single payer. So the govt owns the banks, the car companies, the health insurance companies...it's all a bit too much for me.
Jane1948
Government is hardly running Medicare into the ground--but private industry may be doing just that, esp when defrauded many $millions$ to the U.S. Taxpayer by Rick Scott, infamous & deposed CEO of Columbia Health Care company. Scott is currently spending millions in advertising to attach a public plan. Gee, why would he want to do that? The private insurance companies have had their day and raped the American consumer of many trillions. We currently pay $2.4 Trillion dollars a year on health costs-- $8,000 per person, while all the other first-world countries pay less than half that cost. Why shouldn't this country save $1.2 Trillion a year and have universal health care, and feel secure that they are a part of a system that won't drop them once they get sick. It's as if the Fire Dept won't drop you if your house is burning, or the Police Dept won't stop by when a burglar invades, or your kids won't be dropped by the school system....
jenny4hill
You really think the private corporations are going to exit the business because they're miffed about another provider in the market? To me that's only a baseless fear and a passive justification for keeping the status quo.
My fear is that the Tom Daschles of the world will seek to exploit the new public option and make it another part of the machine, to make it profitable for a tiny minority of the privileged at the expense of social justice and what's good for our nation.
jbuzz1
No Jenny, the private insurers won't just up and leave but they will be forced out because the govt sets prices with providers who are required by law to accept Medicare. Private companies have to negotiate with providers and they are taxed by states (most states collect premium taxes from insurance companies). Providers can't survive on medicare rates so they demand greater reimbursement from private companies. This isn't baseless nor is it a passive justification for the status quo. The savings from a public program would come from screwing providers. Screw them and hospitals will close and doctors will leave the business. Reform is necessary but please leave the govt out of it - they have enough to do in running the banks and car companies.
AmiBlue
This is no surprise. Daschle's clients include health care FOR-PROFIT companies so why should he be concerned about the Ameriacan health care patient. I don't understand what Dole and Baker have to do with this, though. Are you saying, Mr. Wolffe, that those two relics of the old rational republican party can influence the ideologues in the Congress today? I would be struck dumb if that's true.
Pupster
Unfortunately, Daschle has been bought and paid for by the health care industry that's responsible for he and his wife's now very comfortable lifestyle. He planned on selling out Obama all along. The country was lucky that his avarice for free limousine rides torpedoed his appointment as HHS secretary.
Shappy
"Daschle says he has received positive reaction from his Democratic friends..."
Of course they are "positive". They're looking for a way to keep that pharamcutical cash flowing without looking like they're siding with the GOP and he's giving them that option.
Look for Daschle to be building a few new vacation homes soon. He's cashed in and sold out!
rxvette
Daschle needs to get a clue and support a viable option. Private insurance companies are not going to have the public's interest in mind and they need to be forced to play by rules that are fair for the American people. I've written a blog article outlining exactly what I think should be done to successfully implement health care reform in the U.S. and you as an individual are at the core of the plan. Read more to find out how:
http://rxvette.blogspot.com/2009/06/biggest-key-to-health-care-reform-i n-us.html
mcmchugh99
What is wrong with the Democrats? Why can't they even get a reform past that almost all their voters demand? This governmnet moves a hell of a lot faster to assist big banks, corporations and insurance companies than it does the very people who supposedly elected it. Daschle is by no means the only politician of his generation who talks like a populist and collects money like an elitist.
I can't tell you how sick I am of people like this. Had it up to here with them.
hidflect
He couldn't get the status so he's just settling for the cash. He is what the Greed-Is-Good crowd would call a "realist".
TierraDelFuego
Listen dahlings! Tom Daschle was suspect from the beginning, so why did Obama chose him and then let him shoot his mouth off and hit the Prez in the foot. Daschle is no friend of seniors and his view on Medicare management is not an option. If Rahm Emanuel reads any of these messages the point made is that the White House should dump Daschle and find a proper replacement. This is a critical moment in the health care issue. So Rahm, sweetie, stop fooling around spending so much time doing smoke and mirror tapdancing around how to ignore the President's vanishing support of gay legislation and get to serious business of smacking Daschle into place and get the health care package passed. It all looks very tacky, Rahmy.
unionave
Most people do not consider that who the President selects for his cabinet must be approved by the Senate so this has to be considered when he makes a choice . The same is true of laws and programs . The congress controls the money and makes the laws and the President can only try to convince . Regarding health care ; The "public option" was dreamed up by someone to benefit Wall Street and has saturated the media with this debate . The real truth is "health care providers" cause insurance rates to increase and the same thing will happen with the "public option" as it has with medicare . And Wall Street (GOP) can destroy the "public option" insurance program as they have been doing with medicare . Before RR we had many low cost government clinics and hospitals and he dismantled them so the AMA would not have the competition these low cost health systems offered . A governemnt insurance program will be a failure unless the AMA has competition and many know this but do not have the voice to oppose the media sponsored "public option" . You can bet your socks if the media is pushing it Wall Street wants it . Maybe Mr Daschle has seen the light also .
GeorgeP922
Richard, sir, this story is laughable and I don't know why we continue it, other than to feed into a political Soap Opera that doesn't really exist.
Look at ALL the blogs, all of them, Daschle has received nothing but hate and scorn from Democrats for his disgusting stage right exit in 2004, into the loving arms of big pharma and rich donors.
Then your "source" paroted him out there as his pick for Obama's HHS.
Thank god corruption and the DLC go hand in hand, imagine what mess we would be in if the "advisor" got his way and got his buddy into the administration.
Now conversely, Sebelius has disappeared from public leaving Obama and Dean, the only Democratic leaders towing the line for our health care agenda.
Thank you.
As a first time user, your comment has been submitted for review. It can take anywhere from a few hours to a day or two for your comment to be reviewed, depending on the time of week and the volume of comments we receive.