The Republicans Must Draw the Line on Daschle

I believe the Republicans rolled over on the nomination of Tim Geittner but at least there that was a somewhat tough call. With regards to the news that just came out on the nominee for HHS, Tom Daschle.

ABC News has learned that the nomination of former Senator Majority Leader Tom Daschle, D-S.D., to be President Obama's secretary of health and human services has hit a traffic snarl on its way through the Senate Finance Committee.

The controversy deals with a car and driver lent to Daschle by a wealthy Democratic friend -- a chauffeur service the former senator used for years without declaring it on his taxes.

It remains an open question as to whether this is a "speed bump," as a Democratic Senate ally of Daschle put it, or something more damaging.

This is no speed bump. This is something that must disqualify Daschle from serving. He used a car service that he didn't claim on his taxes. That isn't an oversight, but a cover up. There is a much larger principel here. If Daschle is allowed to serve, we are basically excusing almost anything. We are saying that most any prior transgression is fine as long as the President is popular enough. Such a message would encourage corruption exponentially. It cannot be allowed. The Republicans must stand up to this nomination and make sure it doesn't pass.