Senators react to Daschle's withdrawal

WASHINGTON, Feb. 3 (UPI) -- U.S. senators' reaction to a former colleague deciding to remove himself as the health and human services nominee ranged from relief to disappointment.

Former U.S. Sen. Tom Daschle, dogged by a failure to pay taxes, withdrew from consideration to be the HHS secretary Tuesday, along with Nancy Killefer as the first U.S. chief performance officer.

"I think that there were some serious problems with Senator Daschle with his tax problems, but also the fact that President (Barack) Obama has said that he wants to stop the revolving door, that he doesn't want lobbyists as part of his administration," Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., said. "I personally think that Sen. Daschle, you know, was going to face some tough questions and ... I think he saved the president from being embarrassed next week in a public hearing."

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, also from Nevada, said he supported Daschle's decision, adding, "I'm terribly disappointed that Senator Daschle is not moving forward."

However, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said, "I think the story has largely ended. He has withdrawn, and the administration will be looking for a new nominee for secretary of health and human services."

The Senate Republican leader said the biggest issue "is not who's going to staff the administration, but what we're going to do for the country's economy."

Before Daschle announced his decision to pull out of consideration, Republican Sens. Jim DeMint of South Carolina and Lynn Westmoreland of Georgia both called on the former Senate Democratic leader to withdraw.

The Hill reported Daschle's decision also was prompted by a New York Times editorial that urged him to step aside, saying, "Mr. Daschle is another in a long line of politicians who move cozily between government and industry."