Former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD), nominated to be the next secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and his wife Linda Hall hold hands as they arrive for the 2008 Kennedy Center Honors Gala at the Kennedy Center in Washington, December 7, 2008. The 31st Annual Kennedy Center Honors awards are given for lifetime achievement in the performing arts. REUTERS/Mike Theiler (UNITED STATES) 

Former U.S. Senator Tom Daschle (D-SD) applauds during the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado, in this August 27, 2008 file photograph. U.S. president-elect Barack Obama has chosen the former U.S. Senate Democratic leader Daschle to be Health and Human Services secretary, CNN reported on November 19, 2008 citing sources close to Obama's transition team. REUTERS/Chris Wattie (UNITED STATES) 

Former U.S. Senator Tom Daschle (D-SD) applauds during the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado, August 27, 2008. Democrats nominated Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) on Wednesday as their presidential candidate in a historic first for a black American, sending him into battle against Republican John McCain. REUTERS/Chris Wattie (UNITED STATES) US PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN 2008 (USA) 

Former U.S. Senator Tom Daschle (D-SD) applauds during the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado, August 27, 2008. Democrats nominated Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) on Wednesday as their presidential candidate in a historic first for a black American, sending him into battle against Republican John McCain. REUTERS/Chris Wattie (UNITED STATES) US PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN 2008 (USA) 

Former U.S. Senators Bill Frist (R-TN) (L) and Tom Daschle (D-SD) arrive at the launch of the ONE Vote '08 effort to mobilize political action against world poverty by the anti-poverty ONE Campaign at a church on Capitol Hill in Washington, June 11, 2007. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst (UNITED STATES) 

Former U.S. Senators Bill Frist (R-TN) (L) and Tom Daschle (D-SD) (2nd L) stand offstage after speaking at the launch of the ONE Vote '08 effort to mobilize political action against world poverty by the anti-poverty ONE Campaign at a church on Capitol Hill in Washington, June 11, 2007. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst (UNITED STATES) 

Former Senator Tom Daschle (D-SD) talks to reporters outside of the George Washington University hospital in Washington December 15, 2006, after visiting Sen. Tim Johnson (D-SD), who is recovering from brain surgery. If Senator Johnson is unable to return to work in the U.S. Senate, Republicans could effectively regain control, with Vice President Dick Cheney casting tie breaking votes. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas (UNITED STATES) 

Former Senator Tom Daschle (D-SD) leaves the George Washington University hospital in Washington December 15, 2006, after visiting Sen. Tim Johnson (D-SD), who is recovering from brain surgery. If Senator Johnson is unable to return to work in the U.S. Senate, Republicans could effectively regain control, with Vice President Dick Cheney casting tie breaking votes. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas (UNITED STATES) 

Former Senator Tom Daschle (D-SD) leaves the George Washington University hospital in Washington December 15, 2006 after visiting Sen. Tim Johnson (D-SD), who is recovering from brain surgery. If Senator Johnson is unable to return to work in the U.S. Senate, Republicans could effectively regain control, with Vice President Dick Cheney casting tie breaking votes. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas (UNITED STATES) 

Doris Matsui (L), wife of Democratic Party Representative Robert Matsui of California and their son Brian (R) listen to former U.S. President Bill Clinton as he makes remarks at a memorial for Rep. Matsui in the Statuary Hall of the Capitol Building in Washington January 5, 2005. Robert Matsui, 63, a top Democrat in Congress re-elected overwhelmingly in November to a 14th two-year term, died of a rare blood disorder January 1. Recently defeated former Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD) sits top right and women top left is unidentified. REUTERS/Jason Reed JIR 

U.S. Senator John Thune of South Dakota shares a moment with U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney on Capitol Hill in Washington. U.S. Senator John Thune (L) (R-SD) shares a light moment with his wife Kimberly and U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney after Thune was sworn-in on Capitol Hill in Washington, January 4, 2005. Thune defeated three-term incumbent Democrat Tom Daschle. REUTERS/Jason Reed 

Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) (C), gestures during a news conference with Senators Richard Durbin (D-IL) (L) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) (R), at the Senate Radio and TV Gallery on Capitol Hill in Washington November 16, 2004. Reid will now serve as the new minority leader, replacing former Senator Tom Daschle of Iowa. Durbin will become the new party whip, and Stabenow will serve as caucus secretary. REUTERS/Shaun Heasley SH/GAC 

U.S. Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) speaks during a news conference outside the Lloyd George Federal Courthouse in Las Vegas, Nevada, November 3, 2004. [Reid is seeking the Democratic minority leader position to replace Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle of South Dakota who lost his reelection bid.] 

Senator Tom Daschle (D-SD) speaks to supporters in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, November 3, 2004, [following his loss to Republican challenger John Thune.] Daschle is the first Senate party leader in more than 50 years to be voted out of office. 

Senator Tom Daschle (D-SD) speaks to supporters in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, November 3, 2004, [following his loss to Republican challenger John Thune]. Daschle is the first Senate party leader in more than 50 years to be voted out of office. 

U.S. Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) speaks during a news conference outside the Lloyd George Federal Courthouse in Las Vegas, Nevada, November 3, 2004. Reid is seeking the Democratic minority leader position to replace Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle of South Dakota who lost his reelection bid. REUTERS/Steve Marcus/Las Vegas Sun SM 

U.S. Senator Tom Daschle (D-SD), greets a student supporter on election day November 2, 2004 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Daschle, the nation's highest ranking Democrat, is in a tight race with Republican John Thune. REUTERS/Allen Smith US ELECTIONS AS/GN 

South Dakota voters leave a polling station set up inside the fire department November 2, 2004, after casting their votes in Baltic, South Dakota. Senator Tom Daschle (D-SD), the nation's top elected Democrat, is in a tight race with Republican John Thune. REUTERS/Allen Smith US ELECTIONS AS 

Sen Tom Daschle (D-SD) campaigns November 1, 2004, at a Citibank calling center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Daschle, who is running against Republican John Thune, greeted and shook hands with employees including (L) Dori Sayler and Heidi Martius (C). REUTERS/Allen Smith US ELECTION AS 

Ayah Allawi, Prime Minister of Iraq (C) is greeted on the floor of the House Chamber by Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN), (Top-L), Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD), (R), and Senator John Breaux (D-LA), (2nd L) prior to addressing a joint meeting of the 108th Congress of the United States on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., September 23, 2004. Allawi told the U.S. Congress on Thursday the "overwhelming majority" of Iraqis are grateful to the United States for ousting Saddam Hussein and said democratic forces are succeeding in Iraq. REUTERS/Mannie Garcia MG 

U.S. President George W. Bush (C) seated with leaders of the 108th Congress met with members of the Press in the Cabinet Room of the West Wing at the White House September 8, 2004. Seated with the President from left to right, Demoractic House Leader Congresswoman Nancy Peloci D-CA, Speaker of the House, Dennis Hastert R-IL, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist R-TN and Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle D-SD. REUTERS/Mannie Garcia MG 

U.S. President George W. Bush (C) seated with leaders of the 108th Congress meets with members of the Press Corps in the Cabinet Room at the White House September 8, 2004. Seated with the President Bush are (L-R) House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-IL), Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) and Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD). REUTERS/Mannie Garcia MG 

Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD) addresses delegates during the second night of the 2004 Democratic National Convention at the FleetCenter in Boston, July 27, 2004. More than 4,000 delegates to the convention will nominate John Kerry on Wednesday to challenge President George W. Bush in a November battle for the White House that is essentially a dead heat. REUTERS/Gary Hershorn US ELECTION HB/ 

U.S. Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD) greets former Georgia Senator Max Cleland (R) during a veteran's event at Boston's Bunker Hill Monument, July 27, 2004. After an opening night dominated by party veterans Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter and Al Gore, Democrats will highlight John Kerry's life and service with speeches by newcomers like his wife, Teresa Heinz Kerry and stepson Chris Heinz. REUTERS/John Gress US ELECTION HB/ 

United States senators Tom Daschle (L) and Joseph Biden are greeted by Iraq's interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi while visiting the capital Baghdad, June 19, 2004. REUTERS/Ceerwan Aziz CLH/DL 

HOUSE MINORITY LEADER PELOSI, SENATE MINORITY LEADER DASCHLE AND DNC CHAIRMAN MCAULIFFE AT OPENING OF NEW DEMOCRATIC HEADQUARTERS IN WASHINGTON. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (C), D-CA, with Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chairman Terry McAuliffe (L) and Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (R), D-SD, addresses the crowd at a ribbon-cutting for the new DNC headquarters in Washington, March 25, 2004. At the event, Pelosi led cheers of "12-2-1," the respective numbers of seats her party would have to take in November to win back the house, senate and presidency. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst 

DNC CHAIRMAN MCAULIFFE GREETS SENATE MINORITY LEADER DASCHLE AND JACKSON AT OPENING OF NEW DEMOCRATIC HEADQUARTERS IN WASHINGTON. Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chairman Terry McAuliffe (L) chats with Senator Tom Daschle (C), (D-SD) and civil rights leader Jesse Jackson after a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new DNC headquarters in Washington, March 25, 2004. At the event, McAuliffe said that for the first time in more than 100 years the DNC is debt-free and will be attempting to raise millions for Sen. John Kerry's fight to unseat President George W. Bush. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst 

Dr. Dorothy Height (2nd L) makes remarks next to the statue of Abraham Lincoln during a Congressional Gold Medal ceremony honoring her in the Capitol Rotunda inside the U.S. Capitol in Washington, March 24, 2004. Joining her from L-R are: U.S. President George W. Bush, Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert, Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn) and Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD). Height received the medal for her work over the last-half century offering leadership in the liberation struggle of black women. REUTERS/Larry Downing LSD 

Colombian President Alvaro Uribe (C) poses with U.S. Senators (L-R) Senator Harry Reid (D-NV), Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD), Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) and Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) before a meeting on the Capitol Hill in Washington, March 24, 2004. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas YG/HK 

Colombian President Alvaro Uribe (C) stands with Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R) and Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle (L) before their meeting on the Capitol Hill in Washington, March 24, 2004. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas YG 

Democratic presidential contender, Sen. John Kerry (L, D-MA), shakes hands with Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD) after a meeting with Democratic senators in the U.S. Capitol March 11, 2004. Kerry met with various groups throughout the day on Capitol Hill as he looks to bolster support for his candidacy. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque US ELECTION KL/SV 

U.S. Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD) speaks to members of the press in the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., March 2, 2004. Daschle said that he opposes a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage. REUTERS/Mannie Garcia MG 

U.S. Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD) speaks to members of the press in the Capitol building in Washington, D.C., March 2, 2004. Daschle said that he opposes a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage. REUTERS/Mannie Garcia MG 

U.S. Vice President Richard Cheney (R) is escorted into the House Chambers by Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) (L) and Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD) (C) before listening to Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar address the Joint Meeting of Congress on Capitol Hill, February 4, 2004. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst LSD/GAC 

Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar (R) shakes hands with members of Congress before addressing the Joint Meeting of Congress on Capitol Hill, February 4, 2004. From L-R are: Senator Jim Bunning (R-KY), Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) and Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD). REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst LSD/GAC 

U.N Secretary-General Kofi Annan (C) meets with U.S. Senators' Richard Lugar (R-IN), Tom Daschle (D-SD), Bill Frist (R-TN) and Senator Carl Levin (D-MI) (L-R), on Capitol Hill in Washington, February 3, 2004. Annan said on Tuesday he was sending an electoral mission to Iraq in the hope of overcoming obstacles to meeting a June 30th deadline for handing over U.S.-held power to Iraqis. REUTERS/Mannie Garcia MG/SV 

U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan meets with U.S. Senator Bill Frist (R-TN) and Senator Tom Daschle (D-SD) in the Capitol building in Washington, Febrauary 3, 2004. REUTERS/Mannie Garcia MG/GN 

U.N Secretary-General Kofi Annan (R) shakes hands with U.S. Senator Tom Daschle (D-SD) on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., Febraary 3, 2004. Annan said on Tuesday he was sending an electoral mission to Iraq in the hope of overcoming obstacles to meeting a June 30th deadline for handing over U.S.-held power to Iraqis. REUTERS/Mannie Garcia MG/SV 

Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (C) turns the podium over to Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (R) as U.S. Capitol attending physician Dr. John Eisold looks on, suring a Capitol Hill news conference, February 3, 2004. U.S. Senate leaders on Tuesday confirmed that a powder found in the office mailroom of Senate Republican Leader Bill Frist was the deadly poison ricin. The powder, analyzed in a series of field and laboratory tests, was discovered on Monday. No one has been injured in the incident, Frist told the media. REUTERS/Larry Downing LSD/GN 

Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (L), Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (R), and Chief of U.S. Capitol Police Terrance Gainer hold a news conference on Capitol Hill, February 3, 2004. U.S. Senate leaders on Tuesday confirmed that a powder found in the office mailroom of Senate Republican Leader Bill Frist was the deadly poison ricin. The powder, analyzed in a series of field and laboratory tests, was discovered on Monday. No one has been injured in the incident, Frist told the media. REUTERS/Larry Downing LSD/GN 

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (2nd L), of Tennessee; Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (R), of South Dakota; Chief of U.S. Capitol Police Terrance Gainer (2ndR) and U.S. Capitol attending physician Dr. John Eisold hold a news conference to discuss the intentional exposing of Capitol Hill employees to a toxin found yesterday in the Dirksen Senate Office Building in Washington, February 3, 2004. Frist said he was convinced the powder, found on February 2, was ricin, but an Army laboratory was making tests to confirm this. REUTERS/Larry Downing LSD/SV 

Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle pauses while speaking to the news media about a possible toxin found yesterday in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill, February 3, 2004. All three Senate office buildings were closed today after a suspicious white powder was found in a mailroom in the building. Authorities are testing the powder as a toxin. REUTERS/Larry Downing LSD/HB 

U.S. Senator Tom Daschle (D-SD) speaks to the press inside the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, February 3, 2004. U.S. Senate hearings were disrupted on Tuesday after a powder which initially tested positive for the poison ricin was found in a congressional mailroom, stirring memories of a deadly 2001 anthrax attack. REUTERS/Mannie Garcia MG/GN 

U.S. Senator Tom Daschle (D-SD) speaks to the press inside the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, February 3, 2004. U.S. Senate hearings were disrupted on Tuesday after a powder which initially tested positive for the poison ricin was found in a congressional mailroom, stirring memories of a deadly 2001 anthrax attack. REUTERS/Mannie Garcia MG/GN 

Prime Minister of Turkey Tayyip Erdogan (C) meets with U.S. Senator Bill Frist (R-TN) (L) and Senator Tom Daschle (D-SD) (R) at the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. January 28, 2004. REUTERS/Mannie Garcia MG/JDP 

Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan (2nd R) meets with U.S. Senators, Joe Biden (D-DE) (L), Senator Bill Frist (R-TN) and Senator Tom Daschle (D-SD) at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, January 28, 2004. Erdogan is on an official visit to the United States. REUTERS/Mannie Garcia MG/GN 

U.S. President George W. Bush hosts a meeting with U.S. House and Senate bipartisan leaders in the Cabinet Room of White House in Washington, January 27, 2004. From L-R are: House Minority Leader Rep. Nancy Pelosi, (D-Calif.), Speaker of the House of Representatives Dennis Hastert, (R-Ill.), Bush, Senate Majority Leader Sen. Bill Frist, (R-Tenn.) and Senate Minority Leader Sen. Tom Daschle, (D-SD.). REUTERS/Larry Downing LSD/HB 

Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (L) (D-SD) speaks to reporters with Senator Chuck Hagel (R-Ne) on Capitol Hill in Washington, January 21, 2004. Senator Hagel and Senator Daschle introduced a immigration reform bill that would overhaul the U.S. immigration system. REUTERS/William Philpott WP/HB 

U.S. Senator Chuck Hagel (R-Ne) answers a question with Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD) on Capitol Hill in Washington, January 21, 2004. Senator Hagel and Senator Daschle introduced a immigration reform bill that would overhaul the U.S. immigration system. REUTERS/William Philpott WP/HB 

Senate minority leader Tom Daschle (L) talks to reporters as Senator
Edward Kennedy (D-Ma) looks on after the passage of Medicare
legislation, in the U.S. Capitol November 25, 2003. The U.S. Senate
today passed landmark Medicare legislation that will add a prescription
drug benefit and introduce controversial free-market reforms to the
popular federal health plan for the elderly and disabled. Both Daschle
and Kennedy argued against passage of the legislation. REUTERS/Kevin
Lamarque

KL/HB 

Senate minority leader Tom Daschle (L) listens as Senator Edward
Kennedy (D-Ma) speaks to reporters about the passage of Medicare
legislation, in the U.S. Capitol November 25, 2003. The U.S. Senate
today passed landmark Medicare legislation that will add a prescription
drug benefit and introduce controversial free-market reforms to the
popular federal health plan for the elderly and disabled. Both Daschle
and Kennedy argued against passage of the legislation. REUTERS/Kevin
Lamarque

KL/HB 

U.S. Senate minority leader Tom Daschle (D-SD) talks to reporters at
the U.S. Capitol in Washington, November 24, 2003. The Republican-led
U.S. Senate today seemed headed toward giving final approval to one of
the biggest overhauls of the Medicare health insurance program for the
elderly. Democrats warn that the White House-backed bill would
undermine the 38-year-old federal program and provide the elderly with
inadequate assistance. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

KL 

Senate minority leader Tom Daschle (L) looks toward Senator Edward
Kennedy (D-Ma) as Kennedy speaks to reporters about the vote on
Medicare legislation, in the U.S. Capitol November 24, 2003. The
Republican-led U.S. Senate today seemed headed toward giving final
approval to one of the biggest overhauls of the Medicare health
insurance program for the elderly. Democrats warn that the White
House-backed bill would undermine the 38-year-old federal program and
provide the elderly with inadequate assistance. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

KL/HB 

U.S. Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD) offers his opposition to
the Medicare Reform Bill negotiated by the Republican leadership in
Congress on Capitol Hill, November 21, 2003. The legislation, a
priority of President George W. Bush as he prepares to seek
re-election, would add a prescription drug benefit to Medicare and
introduce far-reaching reforms to restrain costs and expand the role of
private managed care plans in caring for the elderly.

REUTERS/Larry Downing 

U.S. Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD) holds up a sign while
offering his support to the Alliance for Retired Americans, who oppose
the Medicare Reform Bill negotiated by the Republican leadership in
Congress on Capitol Hill, November 19, 2003. Daschle is joined by House
Minority Leader Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA). REUTERS/Larry Downing

LSD/HB 

Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD) speaks at a press conference
in the Lyndon Johnson room on Capitol Hill November 14, 2003. Daschle
and other Democratic senators were celebrating their blockage of a vote
on several conservative judicial nominees following an historic 40-hour
Republican filibuster. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

JME 

Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD) speaks at a press conference
in the Lyndon Johnson room on Capitol Hill November 14, 2003. Daschle
and other Democratic senators were celebrating their blockage of a vote
on several conservative judicial nominees following an historic 40-hour
Republican filibuster. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

JME 

Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA), (L) speaks at a press conference with
Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD), (R) after leaving the senate
floor November 14, 2003. The senators were speaking on their blockage
of a vote on several conservative judge nominees even after a dramatic
40-hour filibuster by Republicans. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

JME 

Becky Ogle (R), board member of the National Coalition for Disability
Rights, wearing stickers that say "Up All Night For Justice," looks on
as Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD), (L) speaks at a press
conference in the Lyndon Johnson room just off the senate floor
November 14, 2003. Daschle and other Democratic senators were speaking
on their blockage of a vote on several conservative judicial nominees
following an historic 40-hour Republican filibuster. REUTERS/Jonathan
Ernst

JME 

U.S. Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle (L. of South Dakota, answers
a question with Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA) during a press conference
on Capitol Hill in Washington, November 13, 2003. U.S. senators
exchanged yawns as well as angry words on Thursday as they moved to
wage the longest nonstop debate in their chamber in a decade - one over
President George W. Bush's stalled judicial nominees. REUTERS/William
Philpott

WP