Daschle: didn’t have stomach for the fight

In spite of Tom Daschle’s hundred thousand plus dollar tax mishap, Senate leaders and the White House -- especially Obama -- were firm in their support.

Many Democrats grumbled about the position they'd been put in because of Daschle’s non-payment of taxes.

They mostly supported the former Senate leader for two reasons: Obama was determined to push Daschle’s appointment through and they didn’t want to embarrass their president if the appointment failed.

Mr. Daschle disappointed Obama but saved the Democratic Party from another stain by withdrawing, much to the relief of some Democrats.

Even Senate Republicans believed Daschle would be confirmed after getting roughed up a bit.

So why did Daschle bow out?

A source close to Daschle says "he didn't have the stomach for the fight."

Already depressed by the recent discovery that his younger brother is stricken with brain cancer, Daschle wasn't prepared for another week of Senate hazing and damaging headlines.

The double-barreled combination of a blistering New York Times editorial and a front-page story raising questions about President Obama's commitment to ethics reform in Washington convinced Daschle he had to go.

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