Well, it’s about to become official.  Former US Senator Tom Daschle will formally get the nod for HHS Sec’y post.

The former senate majority leader was an early and loyal supporter of Obama, going so far as to hand off much of his political apparatus to Obama when the Illinois newcomer first entered the Senate. In accepting the HHS job offer, Daschle negotiated an unusually broad portfolio for himself: in addition to running the behemoth department, he will be the administration’s point person on health care reform efforts.

Daschle represents an exciting appointment to this very influential position and brings Obama-like tech savvy, sure to update the government agency’s actions for the 21st century.

This looks like a pretty shrewd pick, and the fact that it is the first cabinet job to be sort-of-announced is an indication that Barack Obama is in deadly earnest about one of his main campaign promises: comprehensive health-care reform. It would be hard to find anyone better placed than Mr Daschle to get the job done, if anyone can. As a former Senate minority and majority leader, Mr Daschle knows the byways of Congress as well as anyone.

Related Posts Within Doctor Pundit:

1. Months after Withdrawing Self from HHS Secretary Consideration, Tom Daschle Emerges Anew There is a role for former Sen. Tom Daschle in...
2. A Month Away from Taking Office, Daschle Appears Ready to Serve Now Former Sen. (D-SD) Tom DaschleIt’s an interesting question. Do we...
3. Daschle Withdraws Nomination for HHS Post Funny how things just change on a dime. Doctor Pundit,...