Former Senate majority leader named as U.S. next health secretary

Source: Xinhua | 11-20-2008 08:29

WASHINGTON, Nov. 19 (Xinhua) -- Tom Daschle, former Senate majority (Democratic) leader during the Clinton's administration, was chosen by U.S. President-elect Barack Obama as the next secretary of health and human services, said a TV report on Wednesday.

Citing three sources, a CNN report said that Daschle has personally showed interest to the job and proposed to report directly to the incoming president after he takes office as the White House health "czar."

Sources also told the TV that it is still undecided on the timing to announce the appointment but Daschle would join Obama's transition office as a lead adviser on health issues.

The 60-year-old Democrat was elected to the House of Representatives from South Dakota in 1978 and then the Senate in 1986.

Eight years later, Daschle, who was in his third term in the floor, was chosen to be the minority leader of the Democratic Party that turned into the majority years later.

In the 2004 Congressional elections, Daschle lost his seat in the Senate to his Republican challenger.

Despite speculations by media on the possibility for Daschle to join the 2008 presidential elections, he ruled out bid for the White House in December 2006 and threw his support behind the then Illinois Senator, Barack Obama, saying that he "personifies the future of Democratic leadership in our country."

After Obama won his historical campaign, Daschle was considered for the White House Chief of Staff that finally went to Rahm Emanuel, the former No. 4 among House Democrats.

Currently, Daschle serves as a "special public policy adviser" in the Washington office of the lobbying firm Alston Bird, and his wife, Linda, is a registered lobbyist at Baker Donelson, a company having some clients in health-related fields.

Daschle is one of several candidates who are speculated to join Obama's cabinet after he is sworn in on Jan. 20. Most of them were elected officials during former President Bill Clinton's administration, stirring questions from Republicans and the public about Obama's promise to bring changes to the country.

However, Obama's transition team insisted that they are dedicated to building a well-rounded administration.

"President-elect Obama is committed to putting together a competent team that is diverse in many ways, including experience. Serving in high level positions whether in government, in the private sector or in public services is seen as a positive," his office said in a statement on Wednesday.

Editor:Zheng Limin