Sometimes, political irony is just too much to handle. Need an example? In 1986, voters in South Dakota were treated to what seemed to be your average congressional reelection campaign ad. On the television screen, a 1971 Pontiac cruises along the D.C. streets. A voice narrates:
"Among Washington's BMW's and limos is this: Since 1971, the old Pontiac has served its owner well. Sure, it's rusted, and it burns a little oil, but after 15 years and 230,000 miles, Tom Daschle still drives his old car to work every day. Maybe he's sentimental. Or just cheap. Whatever the case, isn't it too bad the rest of Washington doesn't understand that a penny saved is a penny earned?"
If only Mr. Daschle had kept the Pontiac.
Evidently, the former Senate Majority Leader decided to ditch Ole Faithful in 2005 in favor of the chauffeured car provided by the private equity firm for which he worked. The rest - more than $250,000 in unpaid taxes and an embarrassing resignation as Health and Human Services nominee - is history.
Ask most Democrats, even some Republicans, and they will say that Daschle's exit is a shame. The established D.C. insider is respected among his former colleagues and his knowledge of the health care system is undeniable. On the day of Daschle's withdrawal as nominee, Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., commented "This was no ordinary appointment, and today is not a good day for the cause of health care reform."
But Senator, I do protest. Anyone serious about health care overhaul should welcome the departure. Daschle's knowledge and good intentions aside, his errors would have clouded an already ominous sky for health care improvement.
Let's examine this tax mishap. If one is a citizen, one needs to pay taxes. If one plans on being a government official, one needs to make absolutely sure he pays his taxes. Tom Daschle did neither. Not only that, it was not until June of last year that Daschle even considered that he might owe taxes on his assigned car and driver.
His supporters might point out that he did alert President Obama's vetting team of the problem. He did tell them - after he was nominated as secretary.
Clearly, this undermined the authority of the vetting team and consequentially President Obama himself. If the health care debacle is to be solved, Obama and his nominee need to work with the utmost focus. Such a subversive act could have compromised the "No Drama-Obama" White House. And judging by the surprisingly quick exit last week, I would not be surprised if the president had informed Daschle of this himself.
Furthermore, Tom Daschle was basically a health care lobbyist without the title. Following his tenure as a senator, he "consulted" the lobbying firm Alston and Bird. Salary: $2 million. He also gave speeches to numerous interest groups including those representing health insurance plans and pharmacy boards. Speaking fees: $250,000. The thoughts of health care lobbyists had Tom Daschle become HHS secretary: "Priceless."
Health care is the political issue that most needs to be liberated from the influence of lobbyists. Over the course of his campaign, Obama stressed this importance as he touted his health care plan. To have confirmed Daschle would have guaranteed a new health insurance system run by special interests. And inefficient reform is worse than no reform at all.
In the past week, Obama has admitted his nomination of Daschle was a mistake. A new nominee should be welcome amongst the cabinet. With this new prospect comes a possibility of reform that Tom Daschle never could have achieved. As for Daschle, now he might have more time to commit to the renovation of his '71 Pontiac.
Joe Wenner is a freshman in the School of International Service and a moderate columnist for The Eagle. You can reach him at edpage@theeagleonline.com.
