Althouse: Daschle's back. He'll be servicing the humans.

November 19, 2008

Daschle's back. He'll be servicing the humans.

He's the new Secretary of Health and Human Services.

76 comments:

Host with the Most said...: zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz, bleah, bleah, cough, cough, zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz; 11/19/08, 11:52 AM
Palladian said...: Man, there's just been so much hope and change already, can you imagine how thrilling it's going to be after January 20th? So great that Obama's bringing in all these fresh new faces!; 11/19/08, 11:52 AM
Ernesto Ariel Suárez said...: Hope and CHANGE!

Weeeeeeeeee....; 11/19/08, 11:53 AM
Meade said...: Great news! My human is way overdue for a full servicing. Timing belt, rust protection, complete lube.

Maybe Tom can figure out where that strange ka-chung ka-chung sound is coming from everytime my 401k light comes on.; 11/19/08, 11:54 AM
Original Mike said...: Remind me, please, who Daschle's wife is a lobbyist for.; 11/19/08, 12:02 PM
Trooper York said...: Captain Renault: Major Strasser has been shot. Round up the usual suspects.
(Casablanca, 1942); 11/19/08, 12:15 PM
I'm Full of Soup said...: Daschle's wife is an airline lobbyist (maybe Boeing)I believe.

Dingle's wife is in PR for an auto company (but she is not a lobbyist).

What about the rest of the "D's"?; 11/19/08, 12:16 PM
I'm Full of Soup said...: Renault? Now that was a car!; 11/19/08, 12:16 PM
Tank said...: Renault, yeah.

I got the one that worked.

Ten years in that baby.

Had to sell it couse the AC went and couldn't get the parts.

Had to turn the AC off to get on the highway.

What thread is this?; 11/19/08, 12:20 PM
Ernesto Ariel Suárez said...: Hm, AJ, they still are...; 11/19/08, 12:21 PM
BJM said...: The good ole boy's revolving govt-K Street-govt door, eh?

I hope Daschle serves the humans better than his lobbyist wife Linda did the airline passenger. Sorry, I can't cite a MSM source, as usual, they weren't interested in pursuing the Democrat Senate Majority Leader's potential conflict of interests. Salon ran a less detailed piece than the LA Weekly,by Arianna Huffington.

I'm not seeing much change yet. Where are the fresh faces? The new talent? Hispanics? Women other than Hillary?

Meh.; 11/19/08, 12:25 PM
Rich B said...: I guess the Tom Daschle radio show failed to attract an audience.

Way to go Puff. I'm still pulling for Warren Christopher to do an encore as Secretary of State.; 11/19/08, 12:32 PM
I'm Full of Soup said...: Warren Christopher? Wasn't he embalmed already? I would think that disqualifies him from getting Senate confirmation!; 11/19/08, 12:34 PM
garage mahal said...: Wha? He didn't pick a plumber for HHS? That's not change!; 11/19/08, 12:37 PM
Anonymous said...: He'll be servicing humans HA!; 11/19/08, 12:40 PM
mccullough said...: Obama needs to appoint a Treasury Secretary to tell him and Daschle that the U.S. can't afford their health care proposals.

Sorry, recession, growing unemployment, stock market way down, $1 trillion deficit.; 11/19/08, 12:48 PM
Zachary Sire said...: Team of Rivals?

More like team of has-beens.; 11/19/08, 12:50 PM
Anonymous said...: "its deja vu all over again"

"the more things change, the more they remain the same"

"what goes around, come around"

"where you stand depends on where you sit"

"Sherman set the Wayback Machine to 1996"

"bring us some shubbery"; 11/19/08, 12:51 PM
I'm Full of Soup said...: ZPS:

Is this your idea of change?; 11/19/08, 1:06 PM
Wince said...: Daschle's back. He'll be servicing the humans.

Meanwhile, servicing the donkeys will no longer require a trip to Juarez.; 11/19/08, 1:14 PM
Henry said...: Daschle's back. He'll be servicing the humans.

What? Eliot Spitzer wasn't available?; 11/19/08, 1:16 PM
Palladian said...: Daschle still isn't rich enough to afford eyebrows.; 11/19/08, 1:16 PM
Bushman of the Kohlrabi said...: My human is way overdue for a full servicing. Timing belt, rust protection, complete lube.

Titus can help out in the lube department. Maybe Obama is already considering him for Secretary of Lube and Human Insertions.; 11/19/08, 1:23 PM
Anonymous said...: Daschle's Back is a poor substitute for McCain's Brain.; 11/19/08, 1:30 PM
Henry said...: rust protection

I think that one's a lost cause already. All we need now is the retention of Norm Mineta and it will be an all-rust cabinet.

Perhaps Obama envisions a Cor-Ten cabinet -- the rust will protect the art within.; 11/19/08, 1:34 PM
I'm Full of Soup said...: Sherman and the Wayback machine. LOL.; 11/19/08, 1:36 PM
Automatic_Wing said...: What? Eliot Spitzer wasn't available?

I think you mean Ashley Dupre.; 11/19/08, 1:38 PM
Zachary Sire said...: Is this your idea of change?

Obviously not, as I indicated in my comment.

And don't think that because I voted for the guy I was ever some sort of cheerleader parroting the change crap.; 11/19/08, 1:38 PM
El Presidente said...: Oh the enormity.; 11/19/08, 1:40 PM
Simon said...: I don't know that I understand the criticism that Obama's selection of Clinton old hands undercuts his "change you can believe in" schtick. Are the critics really suggesting that when Obama talked about "change" and moving "beyond the past" he meant something other than "moving beyond the Bush administration" and "changing back to 1968/2000 (delete as applicable)"?

Moreover, even if you took the rhetoric seriously, who did you think he was going to appoint? Obama is serious about enacting his agenda, we must assume; he is surely canny enough to recognize that his own familiarity with the machinery of Washington (and thus his ability to make the mill turn his way) is somewhat lacking. It stands to reason that he will bring in old hands who know how the system works, and will keep them on a short leash.

(There's an important contrast here, because Obama means to "change" the federal bureaucracy by expanding it, whereas I want to "change" it in the manner that the French Revolution "changed" the status of France's nobility; it requires familiarity with the internal operations of a federal agency to make it work the way you want it to, but to dismantle it requires far less familiarity. Hence, Obama must bring in insiders; Palin can bring in outsiders.); 11/19/08, 1:48 PM
Brian Doyle said...: Palin can bring in outsiders.

To the set of her show on Fox? Yes she can!; 11/19/08, 1:51 PM
Brian Doyle said...: But seriously, I agree with much of what Simon just wrote (the defending Obama part, naturally).; 11/19/08, 1:52 PM
Anonymous said...: Well Simon, you may be right as far as what he meant by "change" and "Change we can believe in" and 'Change we need" may not rise to the standard of false advertising but as one who dismissed him as full of BS, in large part due to the idea that he really wasn't going to do much about the culture in D.C. that has affected both parties, this is a small consolation prize.

Some people actually thought he meant more than changing the party occupying the White House.; 11/19/08, 2:21 PM
John Salmon said...: I think the slogan was "Hope and/or Change".

Don't expect both at the same time-even Barack Obama has his limits.; 11/19/08, 2:23 PM
TJ said...: Simon's right and Garage is funny. Clinton brought in outsiders. How'd his first couple years work out?

If I was opening a restaurant, I'd hire people that knew how to cook the dishes the public told me they wanted cooked. I'd even hire people who had worked in restaurants that had failed and could explain to me why they failed and what they would do differently.; 11/19/08, 2:25 PM
Hoosier Daddy said...: But seriously, I agree with much of what Simon just wrote

I find that interesting Doyle since Simon's comment here:

Obama is serious about enacting his agenda, we must assume; he is surely canny enough to recognize that his own familiarity with the machinery of Washington (and thus his ability to make the mill turn his way) is somewhat lacking. It stands to reason that he will bring in old hands who know how the system works, and will keep them on a short leash.

...is essentially saying that despite all the defense of his experience and being ready for the job, he still needs to have a bunch of Clinton holdovers hold his hand sine he lacks the chops to manuever the landscape on his own.; 11/19/08, 2:25 PM
Hoosier Daddy said...: I'd even hire people who had worked in restaurants that had failed and could explain to me why they failed and what they would do differently.

That's assuming they know why it failed to begin with. Considering that Clinton holdovers generally blame the VRWC, Rush Limbaugh and talk radio in general for their failures, I'm not impressed with that analogy.; 11/19/08, 2:31 PM
TJ said...: "he still needs to have a bunch of Clinton holdovers hold his hand"

How many hands do you think the president has, Hoosier? There's a reason positions like Chief of Staff and HHS Secretary exist. It's called delegation to responsible and experienced personnel.

Already you've seen a change in tone from Rahm Emanuel that reflects his new boss's agenda. Rahm's an incrementalist by reputation but is now making lots of noise about pushing big legislation through. Sounds like change to me.; 11/19/08, 2:32 PM
dualdiagnosis said...: "...Where experience in Washington doesn’t always translate to results for the American people.

And so if we do not change our politics – if we do not fundamentally change the way Washington works – then the problems we’ve been talking about for the last generation will be the same ones that haunt us for generations to come...."

“We want something new,” Obama says. “We want to turn the page …

"The American people are hungry for a different kind of politics – the kind of politics based on the ideals this country was founded upon," he said. "The idea that we are all connected as one people. That we all have a stake in one another. … The ways of Washington must change."

It’s time to turn the page for hope. It’s time to turn the page for justice. It is time to turn the page and write the next chapter in the great American story. Let’s begin the work. Let’s do this together. Let’s turn that page. Thank you."; 11/19/08, 2:37 PM
TJ said...: "Considering that Clinton holdovers generally blame the VRWC, Rush Limbaugh and talk radio in general for their failures"

Rush would like you to think the left holds him responsible for the early '90's Clinton collapse. It's why he and Hannity continue to fear-monger about the Fairness Doctrine despite the fact that most of the left, including Obama, could give a shit about bringing that back.

But if we're talking about the 1993/4 Hillarycare debacle, it wasn't Rush or even some "VRWC." It's generally acknowledged that it was naivete about the process and a refusal to include Congress in the development of the proposal. And you'd better believe they've learned the real lessons about how to get health care reform done right.

Get ready. Might want to draft a letter to your House rep right now.; 11/19/08, 2:40 PM
Bob said...: Treavor, exactly what experience has Daschle had running something? Besides his mouth. He's a Washington insider which is not the same as an experienced administrator. As the HHS head, he will get to spend humdreds of billions. Rolm I can concede will probably be a good Chief of Staff because he is an insufferable pr**k.; 11/19/08, 2:47 PM
Simon said...: SteveR said...
"Some people actually thought he meant more than changing the party occupying the White House."

I can't imagine who. I mean, when Obama talked about "the past," I always understood that for Obama, "the past" began on December 12, 2000, and will end on January 20th, 2009, and I didn't realize anyone thought differently. People took him seriously as an agent of change? Really?; 11/19/08, 2:59 PM
ricpic said...: Daschle hails from the holier than thou quiet talking branch of liberalism which complements the Schumer shittier than thou shouting down branch of liberalism.

It's a toss up which is worse.; 11/19/08, 3:01 PM
knox said...: Who the hell is Tom Daschle.; 11/19/08, 3:05 PM
I'm Full of Soup said...: So I guess we should read Daschle's book to learn how Obama will transform the health insurance world (note I said health insurance not "healthcare").

It is the tax takers of the world who want healthcare while we taxpayers desire reasonably priced free market health insurance.; 11/19/08, 3:08 PM
I'm Full of Soup said...: Knox are you that young that you don't recall Tom "Puff" Daschle?; 11/19/08, 3:09 PM
Automatic_Wing said...: Who the hell is Tom Daschle.

The designated fall guy for next healthcare fiasco.; 11/19/08, 3:10 PM
Simon said...: Trevor Jackson said...
"How many hands do you think the president has, Hoosier? There's a reason positions like Chief of Staff and HHS Secretary exist. It's called delegation to responsible and experienced personnel."

A President's role in his administration, I suppose, is much like a composer conducting his own work in concert. It isn't necessary that he know how to play the flute, for example. Qua the composer, he must know what notes a flute can play, and the physical limits of the instrument, and he must be able to convey the part to the person who will play it. And qua the conductor, he must have flautists who can play the part well, can play well with others as part of a team, and who can follow the lead of the conductor.

Likewise, the President need not personally take care of the business of filing criminal prosecutions, for example. He has an Attorney General, who "is the hand of the President in taking care that the laws of the United States in legal proceedings, and in the prosecution of offenses, be faithfully executed," United States v. Cox, 342 F.2d 167, 171 (5th Cir. 1965) (en banc), and who in turn has legions of staff to assist him in this task. And Obama has a Secretary of Health and Human Services to run that department, and so forth. If Obama is choosing people who understand his vision and are expected to be competent in making it happen, there isn't necessarily an inconsistency between his promise of change and his appointments. If, on the other hand, Obama gives these people discretion, if he allows them to develop policies and fiefdoms of their own rather than serving as instruments of the President's will, then that will be (as I expect it to be) something short of change we can believe in.

No one voted for Obama because they thought he was a wizbang flautist; they voted for him because they liked the overture he wrote. It remains to be seen if they can stomach the rest of the piece.; 11/19/08, 3:14 PM
TJ said...: "If, on the other hand, Obama gives these people discretion . . ."

As I said, and to continue your conceit, Emanuel's already changed his tune, for one.; 11/19/08, 3:20 PM
Sprezzatura said...: I think it's funny that the RNC pumped out a memo about BHO's appointments where they were pushing the "that's not change you can believe in" theme. Haven't right wing radio, tube and tubes folks been pushing this for a at least a few days?

Could the RNC possibly be less original and less leading? Not that the DNC is any better, but for now, they don't need to be.

Here's my question; is Duncan the change we can believe in?

BTW, the RNC website has an image for their facebook thing that is a total copy of BHO's campaign website (but at least they didn't make the whole RNC site look like BHO's, like Netanyahu did.)

And, the RNC website is asking for advice. You conservative net-roots equivalents better hurry on over there to get things back on track, as you see it.; 11/19/08, 3:43 PM
Simon said...: 1jpb said...
"Here's my question; is Duncan the change we can believe in?"

What makes you think Duncan is staying? He isn't. The better question is, why are the House Republicans determined to keep the failed leadership in place?; 11/19/08, 3:56 PM
TJ said...: True, true. Boehner's had to lead under some difficult circumstances, but a loss of about 50 seats in two cycles isn't a resume builder.; 11/19/08, 4:05 PM
Sprezzatura said...: Simon,

I know he's leaving.

That was my attempt at a scare tactic to see if I could get someone to go over to the RNC and shake some sense into them before they pick another weak leader.

You know, be a "Republican for a Reason."

R4R catchy!!!!!!!

Electoral Gold!!!!!!!!!!

Trevor,

Nobody wants to tell him that he's out, they couldn't handle the inevitable cry-fest.; 11/19/08, 4:20 PM
Anonymous said...: Barack Obama administration = Clinton administration Parte Trois.

All it needs is Madeline Albright. There's still time....; 11/19/08, 4:34 PM
Simon said...: Trevor, I feel bad asking Boehner and Cantor to leave - I have nothing against them personally - but the fact is that they're part of the problem. When your party takes a thumping this hard, it's time for new leadership. And that's particularly true here when 90% of the reason we got that thumping was because people associate the Republican Party with what this bunch of RINOs in Washington - Delay, Frist, Bush and their congressional enablers. A line has to be drawn under that era or the voters are going to keep on punishing us.

1jpb, the great hope is that they'll pick Steele. Still, to paraphrase Thomas Brackett Reed (as I'm wont to do), they could do much worse and I suspect they probably will.; 11/19/08, 4:38 PM
Chennaul said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 11/19/08, 4:48 PM
Ritmo Re-Animated said...: People who protest the thought of any distinction between Clinton and Obama are fussing over the fact that only one of the lenses in their political bifocals is working.

Simon, they're going to need more than just new leadership. They're actually going to have to come up with a new idea or two.; 11/19/08, 4:52 PM
Anonymous said...: In the name of all that is holy, pleeeeeease select Monica Lewinsky to be in charge of interns.; 11/19/08, 5:03 PM
Joe said...: While Obama does need to pick people who know what their doing, there is a pool of thousands of qualified democrats who work for states and companies--there is relatively little need to resort to former hacks of the Clinton administration.; 11/19/08, 5:16 PM
john said...: "He'll be SERVicing the huMANs"

Ahah! I get it!; 11/19/08, 5:31 PM
knox said...: AJ, I remember him, that oh-so-soft and creepy voice is burned into my brain. I was just trying to emphasize what a has-been he is. Was!; 11/19/08, 5:46 PM
sonicfrog said...: "I'm Concerned...."; 11/19/08, 6:09 PM
Dust Bunny Queen said...: How many hands do you think the president has, Hoosier? There's a reason positions like Chief of Staff and HHS Secretary exist. It's called delegation to responsible and experienced personnel.

I get it!!!! It was inconceivable that Palin might accidentally fall into the Presidential slot, because she wasn't 100% superwoman prepared to assume the duties at a moments notice with no assistance from anyone.

BUT....

It's perfectly acceptable for Mr. Junior Senator to acknowledge that he can't handle the job solo and must delegate and rely on advisors from day one in office.

What a bunch of hypocrites you are.; 11/19/08, 6:14 PM
Sprezzatura said...: DBQ,

Have you signed the draft Palin for 2012 petition?

Hurry up!!!!

And, don't forget to place your order for JTP's book. That will help you pass the time until Palin finishes her own masterpiece, which thankfully won't be ghost written by Ayers.

P.S.
Do you live in the 9th District of Ohio. Draft Joe!!!!!!!!; 11/19/08, 6:42 PM
Revenant said...: I've got my Palin 2012 bumper sticker on the car, but I'm not going to try drafting her for the job. :); 11/19/08, 8:14 PM
Roberto said...: And the incessant whining continues.

What is it about "losing" many here just-don't-get?

A a pure unadulterated flat-out victory for Obama and America.

Why can't you people support out soon-to-be President??

Why are you so negative when the man hasn't even taken office yet?

Are you saying you think the current administration has done well for you?

Are you stupid?

Well, we ALL know the answer to that.

P.S.- Simon...you are are such a little suck-ass.; 11/19/08, 8:38 PM
dualdiagnosis said...: M- For a second there I thought you were addressing the pro gay marriage folks.; 11/19/08, 8:49 PM
Roberto said...: dualdiagnosis - I'm pro equal rights.

How about you?

Do you believe everybody has an equal right under out Constitution?

Jefferson and company did.; 11/19/08, 8:54 PM
Bob said...: Then Jefferson had an odd way of showing it given his ownership of slaves.; 11/19/08, 9:16 PM
Roberto said...: Bob, are you saying you aren't familiar with that specific point in time?

And are you implying Jefferson was a racist or homophobic?

Are you uneducated?

Daft?; 11/19/08, 9:19 PM
Simon said...: Revenant said...
"I've got my Palin 2012 bumper sticker on the car...."

Oh, which one?; 11/19/08, 9:23 PM
Roberto said...: Simon, Are you a collector?

Get a life.; 11/19/08, 9:29 PM
Ernesto Ariel Suárez said...: I had to look at his picture once more, but now I'm convinced: Daschle looks like a mix between Parick Swayze and Patrick Swayze's horse.; 11/19/08, 11:24 PM
Revenant said...: Oh, which one?

Just a simple one from CafePress. :); 11/19/08, 11:38 PM
Anonymous said...: IT'S A COOKBOOK!; 11/20/08, 1:40 AM
TJ said...: DBQ said: "It's perfectly acceptable for Mr. Junior Senator to acknowledge that he can't handle the job solo and must delegate and rely on advisors from day one in office. What a bunch of hypocrites you are."

I just thought I'd repeat that. Amazing.; 11/20/08, 8:43 AM