Tom Daschle

It is regrettable that former Senator Daschle withdrew his nomination for health and human services secretary in the Obama administration. Tom Daschle is a good man. He was a good senator, and he would have been an asset to the Obama administration.

He made a mistake. It's not as if he failed to pay federal taxes. He didn't pay taxes on a perk that was provided for him in his Senate position. This is not to excuse what he did, only to provide some perspective.

President Obama is right. Both his mistake, and his withdrawal from nomination, must not be used to obscure Tom Daschle's long, and distinguished, service to his country nor to challenge the principle of universal health care for which he stands.