Tom Daschle

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Thomas Andrew "Tom" Daschle, a Democrat from South Dakota, lost his seat in the U.S. Senate in November 2004 to John Thune. [1] He was the first "Senate leader in half a century to be voted out of office." Reuters reported July 3, 2006.

Daschle is currently a Distinguished Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress, focusing "on health care policy and global economic, security and health issues." Daschle is also "a member of the Global Alliances' steering committee, an international coalition of progressive leaders dedicated to the development and exchange of progressive policy ideas.

"In addition to his work at the Center, Senator Daschle is also a visiting professor at the Georgetown University's Public Policy Institute, conducting student seminars, guest lectures in classrooms, and holding public discussions related to politics and policymaking." [2]

He is married to Linda Hall Daschle.

Profile

Daschle was Democratic Leader in the U.S. Senate from 1994 to 2004 and is "the third longest serving Senate leader in party history." Daschle was born December 9, 1947, in Aberdeen, South Dakota, "raised in a working class family and is the eldest of four brothers. He became the first person in his family to graduate from college when he earned a degree from South Dakota State University in 1969. After serving three years as an intelligence officer in the U.S. Air Force Strategic Air Command, Daschle spent five years as an aide to South Dakota Senator James Abourezk. He was elected to Congress for the first time in 1978 and served a total of four terms in the House. Daschle served 18 years in the Senate after winning election to that office in 1986." [3]

Records and controversies

Iraq War

Daschle voted for the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq in Oct. 2002.

For more information see the chart of U.S. Senate votes on the Iraq War.

Timeline

According to the Biographical Dictionary of the United States Congress [4], Daschle:

  • 1969: graduated South Dakota State University 1969
  • 1969-1972: served in U.S. Air Force
  • 1978-1987: elected as Democrat to 96th Congress; reelected to three succeeding Congresses (January 3, 1979-January 3, 1987)
  • 1986-2005: elected as Democrat to U.S. Senate; reelected and served from January 3, 1987, to January 3, 2005
  • 1989-1999: co-chair, Democratic Policy Committee, Democratic Conference
  • 1995-2001; 2003-2005: minority leader (1995-June 6, 2001; 2003-2005)
  • 2001-2003: majority leader (June 6, 2001-January 3, 2003)
  • 2004: unsuccessful candidate for reelection

2008

Daschle was weighing a campaign comeback he hoped would propel him into the White House in 2008, Reuters reported July 3, 2006.

Associations

New Leadership for America

Daschle is chairman of New Leadership for America, a political action committee which he established in 2005 to help Democratic leaders to public office. [5]

Published works by Tom Daschle

"Like No Other Time", Random House, August 24, 2004, Trade Paperback, ISBN 9781400053759.

Related SourceWatch resources

References

  1. Advisory Board, Bipartisan Policy Center, accessed February 3, 2009.

External links

Profiles

Resources

Articles by Tom Daschle

Speeches & statements by Tom Daschle

Interviews

  • "Sen. Tom Daschle," PBS Online NewsHour, December 18, 2000: "Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) discusses his meeting with George W. Bush and hopes for future bipartisanship in Congress."
  • "Tom Daschle," PBS Online NewsHour, September 13, 2001: "The Senate Majority Leader, Sen. Tom Daschle, discusses emergency funds to assist in relief efforts in response to the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington as well as a resolution of resolve."

Articles & commentary

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006