Jump to full article: Politico, 2009-01-13
Author: CHRIS FRATES
Intro: The mission of Health and Human Services is to protect the health of all Americans and provide essential human services, especially for those who are least able to help themselves.
The greatest strength of former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle is his insider's knowledge of the upper chamber. But as President-elect Barack Obama's choice for secretary of Health and Human Services, Daschle also could present serious challenges in the form of old grudges and partisan paybacks.
Daschle developed his political acumen during more than two decades as a formidable Democratic player, and GOP operatives fear his re-emergence on the Hill as Obama's health care consigliere could spur flashbacks.
"His appointment sends a signal of a take-no-prisoners approach to health care that is at odds with the overall tone of the new administration. It's going to be ugly for a lot of sectors," said a Republican health care consultant.
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