President Obama's pick for Health and Human Services secretary had been under fire for tax issues.

WASHINGTON – Tom Daschle has withdrawn his nomination to be Health and Human Services secretary.

That's according to a joint White House statement from President Barack Obama and his former nominee.

Obama said Tuesday he accepted the withdrawal "with sadness and regret."

Daschle has been battling for his nomination since it was disclosed he failed to pay more than $120,000 in taxes.

He said he's withdrawing because he's not a leader who has the full faith of Congress and will be a distraction.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090203/ap_on_go_pr_wh/daschle_taxes 

 

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