For Daschle, Round One

From NBC's Carrie Dann A quick note about Opening Day of confirmation hearings on Capitol Hill:   Tom Daschle , Barack Obama's nominee for Health and Human Services Secretary, appeared this moning before the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee for a confirmation hearing. But the HELP Committee is not actually the one that has the authority to recommend Daschle's confirmation.   The a uthority to recommend him to the Senate actually lies with the Senate Finance Committee, but this morning's hearing is considered a "courtesy" because the HHS Secretary deals heavily with health care issues.   The Finance Committee -- which has jurisdiction over the massive spending associated with Medicare, SCHIP, etc -- has not yet scheduled its confirmation proceedings for Daschle.   Daschle, an 18-year Senate veteran who enjoys the respect of former colleagues of both parties, is widely expected to be confirmed without much of a ... (link)