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[[Image:Daschle.jpg|right|150px]]

[[Image:Daschle.jpg|right|150px]]

'''Tom Daschle''' (born 1947) is a Washington lobbyist and former Senator from [[South Dakota]], and Senate leader for the [[Democratic Party]]. He was nominated as the Secretary of Health and Human Services in the [[Obama Administration]]. However on Feb. 3 he was forced to withdraw because he was one of several top Obama nominees who deliberately evaded paying his federal income taxes. Daschle avoided $128,000 in federal taxes over a period of years, paying the taxes and penalties only after he had been named to the cabinet.  The back taxes involved unreported consulting fees, questionable charitable contributions, and a car and driver provided by a private equity firm run by a longtime Democratic Party donor who had paid Daschle $2 million a year for his political advice.<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/31/us/politics/31daschle.html?ref=us Robert Pear, "Use of Free Car Lands Tom Daschle in Tax Trouble," ''New York Times,'' Jan. 30, 2009]; [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/30/AR2009013003793.html?hpid=topnews Ceci Connolly, Paul Kane and Joe Stephens, "Daschle Owed Back Taxes That Exceeded $128,000" ''Washington Post'' Jan. 31, 2009]</ref>  Obama has supported Daschle, pointing out that legally he was not a "lobbyist" and is exempt from Obama's rules against corrupt dealings.

'''Tom Daschle''' (born 1947) is a Washington lobbyist and former Senator from [[South Dakota]], and Senate leader for the [[Democratic Party]]. He was nominated as the Secretary of Health and Human Services in the [[Obama Administration]]. However, on Feb. 3 he was forced to withdraw because he was one of several top Obama nominees who deliberately evaded paying his federal income taxes. Daschle avoided $128,000 in federal taxes over a period of years, paying the taxes and penalties only after he had been named to the cabinet.  The back taxes involved unreported consulting fees, questionable charitable contributions, and a car and driver provided by a private equity firm run by a longtime Democratic Party donor who had paid Daschle $2 million a year for his political advice.<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/31/us/politics/31daschle.html?ref=us Robert Pear, "Use of Free Car Lands Tom Daschle in Tax Trouble," ''New York Times,'' Jan. 30, 2009]; [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/30/AR2009013003793.html?hpid=topnews Ceci Connolly, Paul Kane and Joe Stephens, "Daschle Owed Back Taxes That Exceeded $128,000" ''Washington Post'' Jan. 31, 2009]</ref>  Obama has supported Daschle, pointing out that legally he was not a "lobbyist" and is exempt from Obama's rules against corrupt dealings.

A leading Democrat, he served as Congressman from South Dakota (1978–86), and Senator from 1987 to 2004. He was Senate Leader from 2001 to 2004, both as in the majority and minority as control of the Senate switvched back and forth. In 2004, he was defeated for re-election by Republican [[John Thune]]. He is a Catholic and served in the Air Force after graduating from South Dakota State University.  He is married to Linda Hall, a prominent lobbyist in her own right.  

A leading Democrat, he served as Congressman from South Dakota (1978–86), and Senator from 1987 to 2004. He was Senate Leader from 2001 to 2004, both as in the majority and minority as control of the Senate switvched back and forth. In 2004, he was defeated for re-election by Republican [[John Thune]]. He is a Catholic and served in the Air Force after graduating from South Dakota State University.  He is married to Linda Hall, a prominent lobbyist in her own right.