"Former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle will be playing a new role in Washington.

Wednesday it was announced that Daschle had been selected as President-elect Barack Obama’s pick for Secretary of Health and Human Services.

The announcement was immediately heralded by South Dakota leaders as the right choice.

We agree. Daschle’s appointment to Secretary of Health and Human Services will bode well for the nation and for South Dakota. Daschle represents this state’s interests well; he’s aware of the unique needs of Native American population, veterans and elderly, and that will serve him well as he shapes national policy as a member of the president’s cabinet.

Daschle will oversee the Department of Health and Human Services, with a $700 billion budget and nearly 65,000 employees it’s a major undertaking. But since losing his Senate seat to Sen. John Thune in 2004, Daschle has been active in Washington policy and politics."

Get the Story:
Editorial: Smart move in Daschle appointment (The Rapid City Journal 11/24)

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