VOA标准英语2009年-Key Obama Cabinet Nominee Withdraws Amid Contro

（单词翻译）

U.S. President Barack Obama's choice for a key cabinet position has withdrawn¹, leaving a major vacancy² at the massive Department of Health and Human Services, or HHS. Tom Daschle bowed out after problems surfaced involving taxes and possible conflicts of interest. He is the third high level nominee³ to step aside, setting back efforts by Mr. Obama to get a complete team in place.
　
Health and Human Services Secretary-designate Tom Daschle delivers his opening remarks on Capitol Hill in Washington, 08 Jan 2009

Tom Daschle was supposed to be the president's point man on health care. Now he says he will be more of a distraction⁴ than a help.

Daschle's nomination⁵ collapsed⁶ after it was revealed he owed more than $100,000 in back taxes, which he paid with interest. At the same time, questions arose about his connections to the health care industry.

In accepting Daschle's decision, President Obama did not mention the problems that prompted the former Senate majority leader to withdraw. But when he made the nomination public in December, then President-elect Obama said that in order for his agenda to advance, Congress must believe in and respect the HHS nominee.
　
From left: Sen. Edward Kennedy, Tom Daschle, Sen. Christopher Dodd on Capitol Hill, 08 Jan 2009

"Tom brings more than just great expertise⁷ to this task," said President Obama. "He brings the respect he earned during his years of leadership in Congress."

The Daschle withdrawal⁸ was a setback⁹ for a new administration that has been promoting higher standards for government officials and tougher ethics¹⁰ rules.

Compounding the problem for the new president was the fact the Daschle announcement came only three hours after another nominee - this time for a top White House post - also withdrew, also because of tax problems.

Nancy Killefer was in line to become the government's chief performance officer - a watchdog post within the White House budget office.

White House Spokesman Robert Gibbs told reporters that Daschle and Killefer withdrew because they know the country is at a critical juncture¹¹.

"I think they both recognize that you can't set an example of responsibility, but accept a different standard in who serves," said Gibbs.

The latest news adds to ongoing¹² concerns about the Obama team's ability to properly vet¹³ its nominees¹⁴ and search for past actions that could hamper¹⁵ their ability to serve.

Commerce Secretary-designate Bill Richardson bowed out weeks ago when it was revealed he is being investigated by a grand jury for a possible conflict of interest.

Questions about tax matters also threatened the confirmation¹⁶ of Timothy Geithner as treasury¹⁷ secretary. He ultimately was approved by the Senate after acknowledging he committed a tax "mistake" while serving abroad.