Report: Daschle to head HHS

Roll Call reports that Barack Obama offered former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle a post as Health and Human Services secretary, and Daschle accepted.

Published November 19, 2008 5:20PM (EST)

Former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle has been offered the job of Health and Human Services secretary in the new administration, and has accepted, Roll Call reports.

Daschle, who hails from South Dakota, lost his 2004 re-election campaign to Republican John Thune. He's been a prominent backer of Barack Obama, and served as a co-chair in his presidential campaign.

Additionally, Obama's transition team has just announced the leaders of a number of policy working groups -- Daschle is heading up the health care group.

Daschle has not responded to an e-mail from Salon requesting comment.

Update: NBC is now reporting the offer as well.


By Alex Koppelman

Alex Koppelman is a staff writer for Salon.

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