Cabinet Watch: Tom Daschle for Sec. Health & Human Services

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Former Senator Tom Daschle has been tapped to serve as Secretary of Health and Human Services. This is not official yet, but it is being reported by Roll Call:

Former Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) has been offered the job of Health and Human Services secretary by President-elect Barack Obama and has accepted the job, according to a Democratic source close to Daschle.

As a former Senate Majority (and Minority) Leader, Daschle brings a wealth of experience that will be helpful in steering an important department within the administration. In recent years, Daschle has been active in the field, teaching and writing books on the subject of healthcare.

What's more: he will be a highly valuable ally in any healthcare reform debates that require a lot of negotiation with both houses of Congress. Having a seasoned, former Senator working to pass legislation in the Democratically controlled House and Senate was among the missing links to the Clinton plan proposed back in 1994.

We're keeping track of all of the Presidential Appointments that require Senate Confirmation as well as Presidential Appointments Not Needing Confirmation. As soon as it becomes official, we'll add Daschle to our list.

We're also keeping a list of rumored appointees here.